Also known as Jim Chapman Lake, Cooper Lake is an Army Corps of Engineers reservoir in northeast Texas created from the construction of Cooper Dam. The scenic lake, in Delta and Hopkins counties, spans almost 20,000 acres, which provides outdoor recreation for vacationers and water supply for locals. Most recreation on the lake occurs from Cooper Lake State Park, with units of the park located on both the north and south shores.
Famous for bass, catfish, and crappie fishing, Cooper Lake also provides ample water-based activities to keep all members of the family busy. Swimming and boating are fun for both kids and adults, and everyone will love being immersed in nature.
Visitors come to Cooper Lake from Dallas and the neighboring states of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. It's an ideal spot from which to explore this area of the country. Set up camp at one of the sites at Cooper Lake State Park at either South Sulfur or Doctors Creek. Hookups, amenities, and large sites make everyone feel at home here.
The most common way that visitors reach Cooper Lake is via Dallas. The hour and a half drive northeast takes RVers past a handful of small Texas towns like Royse City, Greenville, and Commerce. You'll cross Lake Ray Hubbard and the next main body of water visible is Cooper Lake. A more scenic route will take you north at Rockwall and past scenic Lavon Lake. In either case, roads are well-maintained and paved and road conditions are usually favorable.
There is parking for large rigs at both the South Sulphur Unit and the Doctors Creek Unit. Once parked at the campground, visitors can walk to get to the swimming areas and trails. If you want to move between the park's two units, you will need to drive or cycle since they are about 12 miles apart.
The South Sulphur Unit Campground at Cooper Lake State Park is a good option for RV camping since no COE campgrounds are available. The campsites accommodate rigs up to 95 feet in length, and each one has a fire ring with a grill and a standard picnic table. Sites are both pull-through and back in and have partial shade.
In total, there are 77 sites with electric hookups, while others are tent only with no hookups. The Buggy Whip loop has 11 equestrian campsites for anyone traveling with their horses. These equestrian sites link up directly with the Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail for convenience.
The different campsites span multiple day-use areas so campers can take advantage of the activities available within a close distance. Enjoy shows at the amphitheater, a picnic at one of the screened shelters, or make use of the group picnic pavilion.
Restrooms and showers are nearby and pets are permitted at South Sulphur. The Honey Creek Day Use Area has a boat launch, and there are areas for swimming within a short walk.
Since there are no COE campgrounds at Cooper Lake, the state park offers camping for RVs at the Doctors Creek Unit located on the north side of the lake. Rigs up to 100 feet can call this park home and electric hookups are there if you need them. The 36 campsites here offer 30 amp electric service and some have water hookups as well.
Fire rings and picnic tables are at each site, and campers have access to restrooms with showers. When booking, check the details closely as some sites can be up to 800 feet from the restrooms.
The campsites are near the water and a hike around the North and South Cedar Creek Loops is convenient. A boat ramp, swimming beach, and playground offer endless entertainment options. Visitors can also make use of the amphitheater, pavilion, and screened-in shelters.
The predominant fish species at Cooper Lake include catfish and crappie along with largemouth, white, and hybrid striped bass. Anglers can fish from their boats, or one of the fishing piers. Kayaks can be rented at the South Sulphur Unit if needed. It's also possible to fish from the shores of the lake. If this is your preferred method, you do not need a fishing license.
The best fishing for crappie is in the main body of the lake, near brush piles and other attractors. Crappie and catfish are also caught often below the dam in the discharge channel.
Hikers will love the trails available at Cooper Lake. Access to the trails is easy from the day-use areas and campsites. If you're staying at South Sulphur Unit Campground, you'll have the option to hit the Coyote Run hiking Trail. The trail, open to hikers and cyclists, travels five miles and is picked up from the Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Also, from the equestrian campsites at South Sulphur, you can trot along the 10.5-mile Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail.
For folks staying at the Doctors Creek Unit Campground, there are between two and three miles of the Cedar Creek Trail to explore by bike or on foot. The trail is split up into four loops - north, south, east, and west. The east, west, and north trails travel through the shade of the trees and the south loop is the closest one to the lake.
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers two picnic pavilions at the COE lake, one at South Sulphur and one at Doctors Creek. Depending on the size of shelter you need, the South Sulphur pavilion is bigger and can accommodate up to 75 people comfortably. The Doctors Creek pavilion has space for 50. Both pavilions can be reserved in advance online for a fee.
The pavilion at South Sulphur features access to both electricity and water as well as an outdoor grill. There is an interior light, and guests can use the nearby restrooms.
The Doctors Creek pavilion also has an outdoor grill and restrooms within a short walk. There is only electricity in the pavilion, but water is nearby. On a hot day, picnickers can use the ceiling fans to increase air flow.
Both Doctors Creek and South Sulphur have designated swimming beaches for visitors to use. The beaches are sandy, and the entrance to the water is relatively shallow. Kids will love building sandcastles and frolicking on the shore. Even swimming areas at the designated beaches do not have lifeguards.
It is recommended that Cooper Lake visitors swim only in the designated areas for safety reasons. The water can drop off suddenly or have obstructions not visible from the surface. Always stay clear of the boat ramps when swimming.
Cooper Lake wants you to enjoy the water. There are five boat launches located around the lake managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cooper Lake does not have a marina, so visitors should come prepared with all the fuel and supplies they'll need.
Water sports, such as waterskiing and tubing, are popular with boaters on the lake. Fishing from the comfort of your boat is another great way to spend a day on the water. Catch dinner while relaxing with stunning lake and forest views.
Plenty of different animals and birds reside in the area in and around Cooper Lake. The forests of winged elm, post oak, and eastern red cedar provide excellent habitat for local wildlife like white-tailed deer, eastern cottontail, and raccoons. In the area, you may also run into gray fox, armadillo, beaver, and bobcat.
Bird lovers will find a long list of birds that frequent the park. Some found in abundance are the cattle egret, red-tailed hawk, blue jay, northern mocking bird, and northern cardinal. Bring your binoculars and camera so you don't miss a thing.
