Rusk and Palestine State Parks
in the Southern Section
of the Texas Lake Country
The Texas State Railroad runs between Rusk and Palestine with the respective State Parks on each end of the line. Lake Palestine is about 25-30 miles to the north.
Rusk Unit is located adjacent to the Texas State Railroad Rusk Depot in Cherokee County; Palestine Unit is located adjacent to Texas State Railroad Palestine Depot in Anderson County. The properties, totaling 135.9 acres were acquired and opened in 1982.
Activities:
Activities include camping, picnicking, fishing, and nature study. Added attractions include tennis courts and a playground, in addition to the Texas State Railroad train rides in restored passenger cars.
Facilities:
Rusk Unit
Facilities include restrooms with showers; picnic sites; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, and sewer; an open-air, gazebo-style pavilion with a fireplace, and a dining area; a screened group dining hall complete with a kitchen; playgrounds; a fishing pier; a trailer dump station; old Rusk depot building; tennis courts; a 15-acre lake; and a .25-mile nature trail. Be sure to browse through our Texas State Park Store.
Palestine Unit
Facilities include restrooms (no showers); picnic sites; campsites with water; a trailer dump station; and two open-air group picnic pavilions with picnic tables, cooking grills, a .5-mile nature trail, and a playground. You'll enjoy our Texas State Park Store.
Natural Features:
The vegetation of Rusk and Palestine State Parks is representative of the transition from the Prairies, Cross Timbers, and the East Texas Forests. Some species found in both parks include loblolly pine, sweetgum, dogwood, redbud, cedar-elm, willow, trumpet creeper, blackjack oak, Spanish mulberry, flatwood plum, and osage orange. Some of the bird species found year-round, which include residents and migratory visitors, are belted kingfisher, cardinal, bluejay, pileated woodpecker, whip-poor-will, killdeer, black capped chickadee, and the cedar waxwing. Some mammals found in the park are armadillo, beaver, raccoon, gray squirrel, opossum, white tailed deer, coyote, and cottontail rabbit.
Directions:
Rusk Unit:
The Rusk Unit is located 3 miles west of Rusk, adjacent to the Texas State Railroad Rusk Depot off US Highway 84.
Palestine Unit:
The Palestine Unit is located 3 miles east of Palestine on US Highway 84, adjacent to the Texas State Railroad State Historical Park Palestine depot.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: 489 Weather: Average rainfall 44.6; January average low is 35 degrees; July average high is 94 degrees. Open: Rusk is open 7 days a week, year-round. No gate. Palestine is open 7 days a week except for annual closure December 1 through February 28 to correspond with the closure of the Texas State Railroad for maintenance purposes. Busy Season: Spring and Fall
Camping fees vary; entrance fee.
For reservations, call 512/389-8900.
Current conditions including fire bans and water levels can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
Rusk and Palestine State Parks
RR 4, Box 431
Rusk TX 75785
903/683-5126
For more information go to the Texas Parks and Wildlife web page.