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Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is a Big Thicket area park where B.A. Steinhagen Lake meets the Neches River. Dense bottomland hardwoods, cypress-lined sloughs, and rich biodiversity make it one of the best wildlife-watching parks in East Texas. Alligators, river otters, and over 200 bird species call it home.
169 campsitesEast Texas4 hr from Austin$4/person entrance fee
Short answer
Martin Dies, Jr. 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 Jasper are bookable today.
Getting a site at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Martin Dies, Jr. 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 Dies, Jr. State Park
Find cypress-lined cabins where bottomland hardwoods meet the Neches River.
See cabins & rentals near Jasper →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*85 sites
Water, 50-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water + Electric
$16/night*33 sites
Water, 30-amp electricRV OKTent OK
Water Only
$14/night*51 sites
Water hookup, no electricRV OKTent OK
Cabin
$45/night*7 sites
A/C, heater, electricity, fire ring; no beds, no bathroom, no kitchen - water and restrooms with showers nearby
Cabin
$55/night*2 sites
A/C, heater, electricity, screened porch, fire ring; no beds, no bathroom, no kitchen - water and restrooms with showers nearby
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Find cypress-lined cabins where bottomland hardwoods meet the Neches River.
See cabins & rentals near Martin Dies, Jr. State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book a cabin if you want walls and A/C - they have air conditioning, heat, and electricity, though no beds or bathrooms (restrooms with showers are nearby)
For Privacy:The water-only campsites tend to be more spread out and quieter than the electric loops
For RVs:Reserve a 50-amp electric site for the most capacity, or a 30-amp electric site - both include water and a paved area for your rig
When to Go
October through May. Summer is hot and humid with intense mosquitoes. Spring birding season is the biggest draw.
Tips
- →Paddle the sloughs at dawn for the best wildlife viewing
- →Spring warbler migration brings serious birders from all over
- →Mosquito repellent is absolutely essential here — bring the strong stuff
- →Watch for alligators along the shoreline, especially in warm months
Highlights
Big Thicket biological crossroadsAlligator and wildlife watchingCypress-lined sloughs for paddlingOver 200 bird species recordedExcellent kayaking on the Neches RiverScreened shelters available
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Martin Dies, Jr. State Park hard to book?+
Yes. Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. October through May. Summer is hot and humid with intense mosquitoes. Spring birding season is the biggest draw. 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 Dies, Jr. State Park have?+
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park has 169 campsites, including Water + Electric, Water Only, Cabin. Sites start at $14/night plus a $4/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park?+
The entrance fee at Martin Dies, Jr. 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 Dies, Jr. State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance, at 8 a.m. Central. For Martin Dies, Jr. 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 Jasper is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park?+
Cancellations at Martin Dies, Jr. 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 Jasper are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Cabins & vacation rentals near Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Jasper are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Jasper →