Lake Tawakoni State Park (/təˈwɑːkəni/ tə-WAH-kə-nee) is a state park located in Hunt County, Texas, United States, 11.2 miles (18.0 km) north of Wills Point. It is on the south central shore of Lake Tawakoni, a 37,879-acre reservoir on the Sabine River.[4]
| Lake Tawakoni State Park | |
|---|---|
 Taking in the forest at Lake Tawakoni State Park | |
 | |
| Location | Hunt County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Wills Point |
| Coordinates | 32°50′55″N 96°00′00″W / 32.84861°N 96.00000°W[1] |
| Area | 376.3 acres (152.3 ha)[2] |
| Elevation | 430 feet (130 m) |
| Established | 2002 |
| Visitors | 96,988 (in 2022)[3] |
| Governing body | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| tpwd | |
History
editConstructed in 1960, the lake is named after the Tawakoni Native American tribe, who used to live in the area. It was built to provide a source of water for the Dallas area, and the park was opened in 2002 under a lease agreement with the Sabine River Authority.[2]
The park came to media attention in 2007, because of a giant communal spider web on the premises of the park.[5] The web was mostly the work of thousands of long-jawed orb weavers (Tetragnatha guatemalensis), but other spider species were found to have also joined in.
On January 22, 2009, a fire swept through the park, burning approximately 125 acres (51 ha) of park property.[6]
Nature
editAnimals
editLake Tawakoni State Park is teeming with wildlife. Animals found in the park include red and gray foxes, bobcats, coyotes, opossums, turtles, frogs, snakes, raccoons, beavers, squirrels, armadillos, minks and white-tailed deer. Additionally, birders have identified more than 200 species of birds in the park. The lake holds many different species of fish such as striped bass, white bass, largemouth bass and crappie, but is noted for its blue catfish.[4]
Flora
editBur oak and cedar elm dominate the forest of Lake Tawakoni State Park. Large shrubs Osage orange and farkleberry along with Virginia creeper and poison ivy are in the understory.
Activities
editThe park offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, mountain biking, birding and geocaching. There are also campsites available for tents and recreational vehicles. There are about five miles of trails to explore by foot or mountain bike.
References
edit- ^ "Lake Tawakoni State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. February 11, 2004. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ a b "Lake Tawakoni State Park: History". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Lake Tawakoni State Park: Nature". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
- ^ "Sprawling spider web blankets Texas trail". NBC News. NBC Universal. Associated Press. August 30, 2007. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "Fire Sweeps Through Tawakoni State Park". Herald Banner. January 24, 2009.
External links
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