Eisenhower State Park
RV Guide

If you are bringing the kiddos, stop by the park office or the ranger’s station for a Junior Ranger Journal. If your child completes a certain number of activities, they get a Junior Ranger pin. Completing the journal can be done at all Texas state parks for a special pin at each one. The park also has Junior Ranger Explorer Packs at Park Headquarters that you can borrow for your visit. The pack is filled with special items like a magnifying glass, binoculars, animal tracking guide, pencils, crayons, a sketchbook, and a journal.

Grab your honey and take a walk up to Lover’s Leap. One can only speculate as to how this rocky promontory earned its name. It’s a very nice scenic overlook next to the swimming area that also bears clear evidence of erosion. To reach it, you can either scramble over rocks or take Ike’s Hike and Bike Trail. No matter how you get there, you’ll enjoy awesome views of both the lake, Denison, and the Texas part of the shoreline.

This overlook is on the opposite end of the park near Armadillo Hill Trail. Over the years, archeologists have found a number of fossils in this area. These fossils remind us that life was here long before the first cattle trails blazed through the area in the 1830s. This overlook is a great place for boat-watching since it overlooks the boat launch channel. Bring your camera and lunch so you can sit and take a break while you enjoy the scenery.

This moderate trail runs for just under a mile and passes the Buttonbush Overlook. Hiking boots and a walking stick are recommended. The geology in this part of Eisenhower State Park is quite nice, and the plant life is very diverse. Meander along the lakeshore and through the prairie grass where you can see lots of vibrant wildflowers. There are a number of benches where you can stop, rest, and look for coyotes, foxes, wild turkeys, and other animals.

Take a hike or grab your bike for Ike’s Hike and Bike Trail. This 3.2-mile trail runs almost the entire length of the lakeshore, at least to the ATV area in the west. The extreme eastern section of the trail, between markers three and four, is quite rugged. Only experienced hikers or mountain-bikers should traverse this area. Otherwise, the trail is an easy (basically an unpaved sidewalk) to a moderate-level trek. To skip the rigorous part of the trail, get on at Five Star Red Oak, where there is a parking area nearby.

The main boat launch, which handles craft up to 26 feet long, is southeast of Bois D’arc Ridge. Have your vessel ready to go when you reach the launch. Children under 13 must wear life jackets, and everyone else should wear one too. When finished, be sure to drain and dry your boat. Zebra mussels, which filter out necessary algae and clog water intakes, are a problem at Eisenhower State Park. The Eisenhower Yacht Club is northwest of Bois D’arc Ridge. It has a full-service gas dock and a store that has lots of drinks, snacks, boating supplies, and gifts.

Be sure to pack your swimming suits and sunscreen in the RV before heading to Eisenhower State Park. The Lake Texoma shoreline in Eisenhower State Park is mostly bluffs. But there is a swimming area near Elm Point, on the far west side of the park. As long as you stay on the swimming channel, the lake bottom is relatively flat. But if you venture much farther offshore, things get a little dicey, not only because of the lake bottom but also because of boats. Be safe as there are no lifeguards on duty.

Lake Texoma usually means bass fishing, and bass fishing is best in the fall. Crappie, catfish, and bluegill also prowl just beneath the surface. The combination of freshwater flows from the Washita and Red Rivers makes Lake Texoma one of the best spots in the country for striped bass. Park officials stock the lake in the winter to supplement the large, landlocked, self-sustaining native population. Largemouth and spotted bass fishing is usually best near the shoreline and especially around park structures. Smallmouth bass usually stays close to the park bluffs and the dam. In the fall and spring, use spinners and surface lures. When the water gets warmer in the summer, try Texas-rigged worms. Always look for underwater stumps, channels, and boulders. Shore-fishing at a Texas state park does not require a license, and you can borrow rods, reels, and other equipment.

Just below Fossil Ridge, look for evidence of ammonite fossils near the Ammonite Crossing Bridge near the lake. These mollusk-like creatures first appeared about 240 million years ago. Archeologists use the swirl patterns on the fossilized shells to date other fossils in the area. When the water level is lower, and more of the bluffs are exposed, it’s an excellent time to explore Ammonite Crossing under the bridge. Bring a sand shovel and bucket to help procure your haul.

Dirt bikes and OHVs may either travel on designated trails or roam the backcountry in designated areas. One of the main trails is the 0.5-mile Pee Wee Practice Area, which is for beginners to practice their skills. The 0.7-mile Big Woods Canyon Trail is more difficult as it meanders along prairies and the Backland Ramble OHV Trail. The 0.7-mile Timber Rattler Run is fun and exciting, but you should keep an eye out for rattlers, as the name implies. Be sure to take necessary precautions while out riding, pack out your trash, and do not feed the wildlife.