Cleburne State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cleburne State Park
Spillway Trail at Cleburne State Park
Cleburne State Park Location in Texas
Location	Johnson County, Texas
Nearest city	Cleburne
Area	528 acres (214 ha)
Established	1938
Governing body	Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Cleburne State Park is a cool place to visit in Johnson County, Texas. It's a big park, about 528-acre (2.14 km²) (that's like 400 football fields!), and it's managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

A special part of the park is Cedar Lake, which is 116-acre (0.47 km²) and fed by natural springs. This lake was created a long time ago when a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built an earthen dam. You can find the park by taking US 67 and then turning onto Park Road 21.

Park History: How it Began

Cleburne State Park gets its name from the nearby town of Cleburne, Texas. The park first opened its doors in 1939 after the land was bought from the city. Long before the park was created, Comanche Native Americans used to hunt in this area. They even had a special trail that went right through where the park is now!

Animals and Plants You Might See

Cleburne State Park is full of trees and plants. You'll find lots of different kinds, like cedar, oak, elm, mesquite, redbud, cottonwood, sycamore, ash, and sumac trees. The ground can be quite rocky in some places.

The park is also home to many animals. Keep an eye out for:

• white-tailed deer
• turkey
• duck
• armadillo
• squirrel
• skunk
• bobcat
• swamp rabbit
• cottontail rabbit
• raccoon
• opossum
• coyote
• beaver
• Many different kinds of birds!

If you go Fishing in Cedar Lake, you might catch some cool fish like crappie, bass, catfish, bluegill, and red ear sunfish.

Where to Stay and What to Do

Cleburne State Park has lots of different places where you can stay overnight. All the campsites come with a picnic table, a grill for cooking, and a campfire ring for s'mores! There are also restrooms with hot showers close to all the camping areas.

Camping Options

• Tent and Parking Sites: These spots have water available and are great for setting up your tent.
• Back-in Campsites: These sites have utilities (like electricity) and shelters. They can fit up to 8 people and a combination of vehicles or trailers.
• Group Camp: If you're coming with a big group, there are two barracks (like cabins) with twin beds. They can sleep a total of 44 people! There's also a dining hall and kitchen that can seat about 70 people. The buildings have heat, but no air conditioning.

Fun Activities

Cedar Lake at Cleburne State Park

There are many exciting things to do at Cleburne State Park:

• Fishing: This is super popular on Cedar Lake! You can bring any size boat, but you have to go slowly (it's a "No Wake" lake). Personal Water Crafts (like jet skis) are not allowed because it's considered a community fishing lake.
• Mountain Biking and Hiking: The park has about 13 miles (21 km) of mountain bike trails. These trails loop around the park and have different difficulty levels, from easy flats to challenging hills. You can also hike on these trails.
• Geocaching: If you like treasure hunts, there are at least two geocaches hidden in the park for you to find!

There is a small entrance fee to get into the park, which is $6 for anyone 13 years old and older. It's a good idea to make reservations, especially if you plan to camp, to make sure you get a spot!

Images for kids

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  Spillway Trail at Cleburne State Park

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  Cedar Lake at Cleburne State Park