Sometimes you want to visit a place and participate in an activity but not have to buy and haul around a bunch of equipment.
Fort Parker State Park outside of Mexia, Texas seems to have considered this idea as well. It was named for John Parker’s family, in 1833. In case that name sounds familiar, John’s 12-year-old daughter, Cynthia Ann, was abducted during a Comanche Indian raid in 1836. She would go on to become the mother of the great Comanche Chief, Quanah Parker.
Staying
Fort Parker State Park is a beautiful park with a lot of green – grass, bushes, trees. The trees line the roads, making it feel remote and private. Camping there would make you feel like you’re having a private getaway. There are 24 campsites with water, 30 amp electric, a picnic table, and fire ring. Four of those sites are pull-through.
There is one tent site with water and electricity, and 10 tent sites with water nearby.
There are eight screened shelters and two cabins, however they aren’t like you imagine a “cabin” to be. There are no beds so you would be pitching a tent outside or bringing a cot or other type of bed for inside. The main difference between the cabins and the shelters is that the cabins have heat/AC, and you can’t bring your pet if staying in a cabin.
If you don’t want to stay at the park you can find lodging in Mexia or Groesbeck since the park is in between the two towns. In Mexia, there is a Best Western Limestone Inn & Suites and a Comfort Inn & Suites, as well as Homeplace RV Park. In Groesbeck there is a Quality Inn and Suites.
Things to Do
The park waters consist of Fort Parker Lake (750 acres), Lake Springfield (3 acres), and the Navasota River.
You can fish inside the park and you don’t need a license unless you are going to fish from a boat on the river. There are two fishing piers and a fish cleaning station. And the best part – you don’t have to bring your own fishing gear! The park has loaner gear.
If you want to kayak, you don’t have to bring your own kayak either! Fort Parker has kayak rental stations. The one on the Navasota River feels remote and quiet, like you’re all alone with the wildlife. We saw so many birds along the shoreline, and fish were jumping right in front of us.
There are seven miles of trails to walk or bike. It would be nice if someday the park offered bike rentals as well, that would be a great addition.
There are some interesting historical signage about the area such as the work performed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), and an unusual site in a state park – the old Springfield Cemetery on the property. The cemetery is there because there used to be a town of Springfield. In fact, it was the first county seat until the railroad bypassed it.
For wildlife viewing lovers, it’s a fantastic area to catch glimpses of several varieties of birds and other critters. There’s even a fun checklist you can download to mark off each of your exciting finds.
As you can see, there is a lot to do in the park and you don’t have to have all the equipment and gear. So, stop and spend a couple of days enjoying it all, or pick your most important activities and make a great day of it on your way through the area. Either way you will feel refreshed and rejuvenated by the quiet, beautiful park.
Park Information
Fort Parker State Park is located at
194 Park Road 28
Mexia TX 76667
Reservations can be made online or by phone at (512) 389-8900
Entrance fees are $5/day for 13 and older, free for 12 and under. The Texas State Parks Pass can also be used. Be sure to check out the event page for Ranger Programs, and look for any Park Alerts at the top of the page for latest notifications.
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