Martin Creek Lake State Park
Martin Creek Lake State Park wraps around a warm-water 5,000-acre lake in the piney woods of East Texas. The power-plant-heated water creates an extended season for fishing and swimming, with excellent bass and catfish. Island-studded coves and pine-shaded campsites make it a hidden gem.
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Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$20/night*13 sites
Water + Electric
$20/night*6 sites
Water + Electric
$17/night*37 sites
Primitive Hike-in
$15/night*6 sites
Screened Shelter
$30/night*19 sites
Cabin
$85/night*2 sites
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Guide to Martin Creek Lake State Park
Best Campsites
When to Go
Year-round due to warm water. Spring and fall weekends are busiest for camping. Fishing is good all year.
Tips
- →The warm water makes this lake fishable year-round
- →Kayak through the island coves — it feels like you are on a much bigger lake
- →Excellent for bass tournament practice due to warm water
- →Bring a hammock — the pine-shaded sites are perfect for it
Highlights
Martin Creek Lake State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Martin Creek Lake State Park hard to book?+
Yes — Martin Creek Lake State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. Year-round due to warm water. Spring and fall weekends are busiest for camping. Fishing is good all year. Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.
How many campsites does Martin Creek Lake State Park have?+
Martin Creek Lake State Park has 83 campsites, including Water + Electric, Primitive Hike-in, Screened Shelter, Cabin. Sites start at $15/night plus a $4/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Martin Creek Lake State Park?+
The entrance fee at Martin Creek Lake State Park is $4 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Martin Creek Lake State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance. For Martin Creek Lake State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=martin-creek-lake — cancellations happen regularly.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Martin Creek Lake State Park?+
The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Martin Creek Lake State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.
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