Lake Tawakoni State Park is a 376.3-acre park in Hunt County with 5.2 miles of shoreline along the south central shore of the main body of the reservoir. It was acquired in 1984. The park was authorized through a 50 year lease agreement with the Sabine River Authority, which operates the 36,700-surface-acre reservoir (at elevation 437.5) and Iron Bridge Dam, on the headwaters of the Sabine River.
The reservoir''s primary purpose is to provide a municipal and industrial water supply for the surrounding communities and the City of Dallas. With a shoreline of approximately 200 miles, stretching through Hunt, Rains, and Van Zandt counties, Lake Tawakoni provides water-oriented recreation for much of central northeast Texas. Prior to construction of the reservoir in 1960, the surrounding land area had been settled by ranchers and farmers following its occupation by "prehistoric Indians" and many historic Indian tribes for whom Lake Tawakoni is named. In order to provide stewardship of the natural resources present, the master plan was developed to provide a balance between recreational demands of the region and preservation of natural resources.
Activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, mountain biking.
Facilities: Facilities include a swimming beach, 5.5 miles of hiking trails, 40 picnic sites, a four-lane boat ramp, a dump station/sewage treatment plant, and trailer pads for long-term guest host sites. 78 multi-use campsites (with electricity and water) and a Group Youth Area (35 person max.) are now open and reservable. This lease agreement with the Sabine River Authority will allow us to manage and enhance about 40 acres of native tallgrass prairie, an ecosystem that''s hard to find in East Texas.
