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Martin Dies Jr State Park

State Park Texas

Visited March 2014

Entrance sign for Martin Dies Jr State Park

Martin Dies Jr. State Park is located on B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir about 11 miles southwest of Jasper on Hwy US-190. The highway runs through the middle of the park, and there are camping loops on both sides. To the south is Hen House Ridge, while the area to the north is known as Walnut Ridge.

We arrived on the Monday after Spring Break week and had no problem getting a site. — We arrived on the Monday after Spring Break week and had no problem getting a site. Here we are on site 84 on the edge of the lake.

Greetings from

Martin Dies Jr State Park

We arrived on the Monday after Spring Break week and had no problem getting a site. Here we are on site 84 on the edge of the lake.

Ribbit! The WxToad

Around the campground

We'll start our tour of the campground in the Hen House Ridge area, where we were camped. — We'll start our tour of the campground in the Hen House Ridge area, where we were camped. Hen House is a little more open than Walnut Ridge, but there are still a number of shaded sites. Not among those are sites 86 and 87.

Sites 89 and 90 are in a cul-de-sac with 5 sites around it.

Facing the lake is a row of tent sites, including sites 45 and 46, shown here. — Facing the lake is a row of tent sites, including sites 45 and 46, shown here. During our visit there was a strong southerly wind which was really blowing in off the water; it would have been rather wild in a tent.

Across the road from the lake are more tent sites, such as #59.

There is just a single bathhouse to serve all 59 sites in this loop. — There is just a single bathhouse to serve all 59 sites in this loop. With only two shower stalls, I imagine it could be a busy place when the park is full.

At the other end of the loop is this rather primitive flush-toilet facility - no sinks.

There are several fish-cleaning stations in the park, including this enclosed one.

Beside our site, #84, was a very popular fishing pier. — Beside our site, #84, was a very popular fishing pier. Some folks seemed to be able to spend most of the day out there. In case you're wondering, that sign on the right is an alligator warning.

There is a boat launch in the campground.

It was nice to find some water in the lake - back in 2007 we stopped at Sandy Creek COE Park, which is right next... — It was nice to find some water in the lake - back in 2007 we stopped at Sandy Creek COE Park, which is right next door to Martin Dies Jr. State Park on B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir. At that time the lake had been drained so that repairs could be made to the dam.

There is a swimming area on the south-facing shore.

At the inner end of Gum Slough is another fishing pier. — At the inner end of Gum Slough is another fishing pier. The park also has canoes here for rent.

In the second loop of the Hen House Ridge Unit are 35 more RV/tent sites, all pull-throughs with hookups. — In the second loop of the Hen House Ridge Unit are 35 more RV/tent sites, all pull-throughs with hookups. Sites are a little more shaded in this area. These are sites 1-3 on the left, 19-20 on the right.

Sites 26 and 27.

Sites 29-31.

Out near the edge of the lake are 21 shelter sites. — Out near the edge of the lake are 21 shelter sites. These have a picnic table inside and have electric and water hookups.

There are also two enclosed cabins. — There are also two enclosed cabins. In addition to electric and waters, these also have air conditioning.

I hopped on my bike to go check out the Walnut Ridge Unit across the highway. — I hopped on my bike to go check out the Walnut Ridge Unit across the highway. Partway in to the developed campground is a small area with three primitive sites. This is 102.

Entering the main campground, one first comes to a cul-de-sac with five campsites, 106 to 110.

Once into the main campground area, sites are more open. — Once into the main campground area, sites are more open. Sites 177-179 on the left, 112-115 to the right.

Site 122 is a nice site on the lake shore.

Sites 168-169.

For sun, sites 131-132 can't be beat.

On the north side of Walnut Ridge is a 2.3 mile nature trail, which goes over this bridge from the shore to a small... — On the north side of Walnut Ridge is a 2.3 mile nature trail, which goes over this bridge from the shore to a small island.

The Walnut Ridge Unit also features this demonstration garden, which shows how you can make your backyard a private... — The Walnut Ridge Unit also features this demonstration garden, which shows how you can make your backyard a private nature preserve.

Sunset from our campsite.

Photo at Martin Dies Jr State Park

Photo at Martin Dies Jr State Park

Nearby campgrounds

Sandy Creek COETX · 2 miles away

Magnolia Ridge COETX · 5 miles away

South Toledo Bend State ParkLA · 42 miles away

Rusk State ParkTX · 89 miles away

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