When:
March 1, 2024 at 6:00 a.m. – March 30, 2024 at 11:45 p.m.
2024-03-01T06:00:00-06:00
2024-03-30T23:45:00-05:00
Or:
Cooper Lake State Park
South Sulfur Unit
Doctors Creek Unit
Cooper, Texas— As spring blooms in Northeast Texas, Cooper Lake State Park is excited to announce a vibrant lineup of outdoor programs in the Doctors Creek and South Sulfur units. We design these programs to celebrate the arrival of spring and the much-anticipated spring break for schools. These offerings provide an ideal opportunity for families, nature lovers and adventurers to explore the wonders of the natural world through a series of carefully designed educational and recreational programs. Join us in celebrating the great outdoors and creating lasting memories in the heart of Northeast Texas.
Visitors to Doctors Creek can delve into the fascinating world of local wildlife with “Skins and Skulls,” offering an intimate look at the park’s mammals and reptiles. The journey continues with “Birding 101,” “Wildlife Detectives,” and “Amazing Arachnids,” among other engaging sessions aimed at forging a deep connection between participants and the park environment. Special events such as “Fishing with the Ranger,” “Stargazing,” and “Art in the Park” ensure a wide range of activities, catering to all interests, from the serene to the hands-on.
In tandem, South Sulfur comes to life with its own set of activities, including “Kid's Trout Fishing Day – Part 2”, “Spider Sniffing” and “Luck of the Irish Archery Shoot”, promising memorable experiences for all groups. age. Both park locations emphasize self-guided learning and creativity with nature journaling and stargazing and will host “Dutch Oven 101” for cooking enthusiasts.
The month of March at Cooper Lake State Park heralds the rebirth of the forest, transforming the park into a spectacle of color with redbuds and Mexican plums displaying their stunning purple and white blooms and spring flowers adorning the meadows and the forest floor. This natural tapestry provides a picturesque backdrop for the park's various programs, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in nature's renewal.
Fishing enthusiasts will find spring an exceptional time to fish for a nice school of crappie, monster blue catfish, a vein of bluegill, and shimmering rainbow trout! The park's more than 20 miles of trails invite hikers to experience the beauty of spring at every turn. We shift camping into high gear in March, with spring break marking one of the busiest and most exciting times in the park. Cooper Lake State Park accommodates all camping preferences, from cabins and cabins to shelters, water and electric campsites and walk-in tent sites, ensuring a stay in perfect outdoors for almost any visitor.
As we celebrate the arrival of spring and the myriad activities it brings, Cooper Lake State Park serves as a lasting testament to the charm of nature and adventure. Whether you fish for the day's catch, explore scenic trails, or enjoy a night under our dark skies, the park provides a sanctuary where you will experience the rejuvenating spirit of spring in all its glory. YOU NEED IT! Join us this season to create unforgettable memories in the heart of Northeast Texas, enveloped in the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
All programs are free with your entry permit. For more information about this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and also like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulfur 903-945 -5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek 903-395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday March 2 – DC
Skins and Skulls – 11:00 a.m. – Meet at headquarters. Get an inside look at some of the park's mammals and reptiles.
Saturday March 9 – DC
Birding 101 – 9:00 a.m. – Meet at the Lone Pine boat launch parking lot near the restrooms. Learn some tips and tricks to help you learn a new hobby. Bring your binoculars.
Wildlife Detectives – 10:30 a.m. – Meet at the Pelican Point parking lot. We will take a short walk on the Cedar Creek South Loop. Learn how to determine the types of animals that may have been here from the signs they leave behind.
Sunday March 10 — DC
Amazing Arachnids – 10:00am – Meet the Pelican Point Pavilion. Find out why arachnids are so amazing while learning what they are. Join us to create an arachnid make-n-take.
Monday and Tuesday March 11 and 12 – DC
Self-Guided Nature Journaling – collect a document from headquarters
Self-Guided Stargazing – collect a document from headquarters
Wednesday March 13 – DC
Fishing with the Ranger – 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Meet at the Bluebonnet fishing pier and day-use area. Bring your fishing gear. If you don't, don't worry. We have a few fishing rods to borrow. No experience is necessary!
Thursday March 14 – DC
Sights and sounds of the upcoming eclipse – 2:00 p.m. – Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion. Become a citizen scientist. Refine your observation skills and create your pinhole camera.
Friday March 15 – DC
Stargazing – 8:00 p.m. – Meet at the Pelican Point parking lot. How many constellations can you spot and name? We're going to take out the telescopes to observe a planet or two. Dress for the weather; bring a lawn chair and binoculars if you have them.
Saturday March 16 – DC
Seawall walk – 9:30 a.m. – Meet at the Lone Pine parking lot – Join us for a guided walk along the sea wall to discover the wonders of nature! Bring water and dress for the weather.
Art in the Park – 11:00 a.m. – Meet at Pelican Point Day Use Area. An opportunity to give free rein to the artist in you! Spring is in the air!
Saturday March 23 – DC
Dutch Oven 101 – 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion. Happy trails at a cattle drive, yes, indeed. The cast iron kitchen was part of this happiness. Enjoy a hands-on cooking demonstration and taste tests. Reserve your place by calling (903) 395-3100 or by email alicia.o'connor@tpwd.texas.gov
Saturday March 30 – DC
You can become a Junior Ranger – 10:00 a.m. – Meet at headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Complete tasks and check your skills.
Sulfur South
Saturday March 2 – SS
Trout Fishing Day for Kids Part 2 – Meet 9:00am – 2:00pm – Park at Headquarters and walk to the event pond. Discover the joy of catching trout. No rod or reel; we have some loans available. Remember to bring your trout bait.
Friday March 8 – SS
Spider Sniffing – 7:30 p.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area, next to the playground. Learn about the eight-legged predators, then go on a spider-sniffing adventure. Bring a flashlight, mosquito repellent, a bottle of water and dress for the weather.
Saturday March 9 – SS
Birding 101 – 1:30 p.m. Meet at the Gulls Bluff Day Use Area. Learn some tips and tricks to help you learn a new hobby. Bring your binoculars.
Wildlife Detectives – 3:00 p.m. Meet at Coyote Run Trail Head. We will take a little walk Coyote Running Trail. Learn how to determine the types of animals that may have been here from the signs they leave behind.
Sunday March 10 — SS
Amazing Arachnids – 2:00 p.m. – Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Find out why arachnids are so amazing while learning what they are. Join us to create an arachnid make-n-take.
Monday and Tuesday March 11 and 12 – SS
Self-Guided Nature Journaling – collect a document from headquarters.
Self-Guided Stargazing – collect a document from headquarters.
Wednesday March 13 – SS
Fishing with the Ranger – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Park at headquarters and walk to the event pond. Bring your fishing gear, no rod, no worries. We have a few fishing rods to borrow. No experience is necessary! All ages and all stages.
Thursday March 14 – SS
Irish Archery Luck: 9:00 – 11:00 – Meet at the Buggy Whip toilets. Go for the gold at the end of the rainbow. Registration is required; reserve your place by calling (903) 945-5256 or by email alicia.o'connor@tpwd.texas.gov. No experience is necessary. Age zero and above. Equipment provided. Class size is limited to 12 archers.
Friday March 15 – SS
Sights and sounds of the upcoming eclipse – 2:00 p.m. – Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Become a citizen scientist. Refine your observation skills and create your pinhole camera.
Saturday March 16 — SS
Guided walk – 1:00 p.m. Meet at the start of the Buggy Whip equestrian trail – Join us for a guided waterside walk to discover the wonders of nature! Bring water and dress for the weather.
Art in the Park – 3:00 p.m. – Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion.
An opportunity to give free rein to the artist in you! Bring your ideas and we will provide support.
Saturday March 23 — SS
Dutch Oven 101 – 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Happy trails at a cattle drive, yes, indeed. The cast iron kitchen was part of this happiness. Enjoy a hands-on cooking demonstration and taste tests. Reserve your place by calling (903) 945-5256 or by email alicia.o'connor@tpwd.texas.gov
Saturday March 30 — SS
Become a Junior Ranger – 2:00 p.m. – Meet at headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Complete tasks and check your skills.
