Purtis Creek State Park campground
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Purtis Creek State Park

Purtis Creek State Park is a trophy bass fishing destination with a strict catch-and-release policy and a slot limit that produces lunker bass. The 355-acre lake is limited to 50 boats, ensuring a peaceful fishing experience. Dense East Texas woodland provides shaded camping and excellent bird habitat.

74 campsites|East Texas|3 hr from Austin|$5/person entrance fee

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Campsite Types

Water + Electric

$20/night*

56 sites

Water and electric hookups; picnic table, lantern post, restrooms with showers nearbyRV OKTent OK

Walk-in Tent

$15/night*

5 sites

Water nearby - walk-in tent sitesTent OK

Primitive Hike-in

$10/night*

13 sites

No water - pack in; fire ring with grill, chemical toiletTent OK

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Guide to Purtis Creek State Park

Best Campsites

For Families:Book the water-and-electric sites first — they have hookups, picnic tables, and restrooms with showers nearby, and they fill fastest
For Privacy:The primitive hike-in sites offer the most solitude, requiring at least a 0.65-mile walk to reach them
For RVs:Use the water-and-electric sites — they are the only sites with electric hookups

When to Go

March through November. Spring bass fishing season is busiest. The boat limit means the lake never feels crowded.

Tips

  • This is one of the best catch-and-release bass lakes in Texas
  • Only 50 boats allowed at a time — arrive early on weekends to get on the water
  • Artificial lures only in certain areas — check regulations before fishing
  • Bring binoculars — the woodland birding is excellent

Highlights

Trophy largemouth bass fishingStrict catch-and-release policy produces big fish50-boat limit ensures peaceful experienceDense woodland with excellent birdingSwimming area on the lake4 miles of hiking trails

Purtis Creek State Park — Frequently Asked

Is Purtis Creek State Park hard to book?+

Yes — Purtis Creek State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through November. Spring bass fishing season is busiest. The boat limit means the lake never feels crowded. 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 Purtis Creek State Park have?+

Purtis Creek State Park has 74 campsites, including Water + Electric, Walk-in Tent, Primitive Hike-in. Sites start at $10/night plus a $5/person entrance fee.

What is the entrance fee at Purtis Creek State Park?+

The entrance fee at Purtis Creek State Park is $5 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 Purtis Creek State Park?+

Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance. For Purtis Creek 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=purtis-creek — cancellations happen regularly.

How can I get a last-minute campsite at Purtis Creek State Park?+

The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Purtis Creek 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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