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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.
83 campsitesEast Texas4 hr 15 min from Austin$4/person entrance fee
Short answer
Martin Creek Lake State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Tatum are bookable today.
Getting a site at Martin Creek Lake State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Martin Creek Lake State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Martin Creek Lake State Park
Piney woods cabins and lakefront homes await, nestled on the warm waters of East Texas.
See cabins & rentals near Tatum →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$20/night*13 sites
Water, 30-amp electric (premium lakefront)RV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$20/night*6 sites
Water, 50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$17/night*37 sites
Water, 30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$15/night*6 sites
No water or restrooms - walk in 200 yards, pack inTent OK
Screened Shelter
$30/night*19 sites
Electricity, picnic table, fire ring with grill, outside water spigot; restrooms with showers nearby
Cabin
$85/night*2 sites
Two double beds, kitchen (stove/oven, microwave, refrigerator, sink), private bathroom with shower and tub, central air and heat, screened porch
Martin Creek Lake State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Piney woods cabins and lakefront homes await, nestled on the warm waters of East Texas.
See cabins & rentals near Martin Creek Lake State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Martin Creek Lake State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the premium lakefront water/electric sites first — they sit closest to the water and go fastest
For Privacy:The primitive tent-only sites, reached by a footbridge to an island, offer the most solitude (no water or restrooms — pack in)
For RVs:Standard sites with 50-amp electric and water are the best bet for larger rigs
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
Warm-water lake (extended swimming season)Island-studded coves for kayakingExcellent largemouth bass fishingPine-shaded campsites3 miles of nature trailsPaddleboard and kayak friendly
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. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
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, at 8 a.m. Central. For Martin Creek Lake State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Tatum is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Martin Creek Lake State Park?+
Cancellations at Martin Creek Lake State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Tatum are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Martin Creek Lake State Park
Cabins & vacation rentals near Martin Creek Lake State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Tatum are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Tatum →