1.91

0.71

1.94

0.39

0.54

0.46 1.66

0.41

0.29

0.52

0.67

0.33

0.28

0.31

0.23 0.19

0.21

0.25

0.17

0.16

0.1

0.11

0.08

0.07

0.03

0.06

0.05

0.28

0.1

0.17

0.25

0.03

0.19

0.17

Wh

ite

Ro

ck R

oad

Cooper WMA

to Commerce

to Cooper and Sulphur Springs

COOPER LAKE

Mill B

ranch

HeronHarborDay Use

Area

Gulls Bluff Day Use

Area

Honey Creek Day Use Area

Sunset CoveDay Use Area

Pecan RidgeCabin Area

Oak GroveCamping Area

Deer HavenCamping Area

Bright StarCamping Area

Eagle Point Shelter Area

Buggy WhipEquestrian Camping Area

BUGGY WHIPTRAIL SYSTEM

10.5 mi.

LittleBluestem

Loop3.2 mi.

LonesomeDove Loop

4.8 mi.

Pioneer Pass1.5 mi.

RabbitRun

1.0 mi.

Honey CreekInterpretive Trail

0.3 mi.

Coyote RunTrail

4.6 mi.(Round Trip)

PARK BOUNDARY

3505

500

'

45

0'

55

0'

50

0'

550'

500'

450'

450'

500'

50

0'

50

0'

550'

50

0'

45

0'

45

0'

550'

55

0'

550'

FM 71

FM 3

50

5

5

1

2

3

4

6

Armadillo

POINTS OF INTEREST(GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees)

1

2

3

4

5

6

SUNSET COVE 33.2924° -95.6679°Relax and watch the sun set across the lake after an excellent day of (leisure and) recreation.

CORRAL 33.2900° -95.6586°Farmers raised cattle on this land before the lake and park were established. This corral and loading chute were used when cattle were brought in from the pasture to take to market.

HARPER’S HILL 33.2942° -95.6376°In spring 1873, George Harper built and operated Harper’s Toll Bridge near this hill, one of very few crossings along this part of the South Sulphur River. For 10 years, travelers heading to Sulphur Springs and other points south paid 5 cents to walk across the river, 10 cents to cross on horseback, 15 cents for a single horse and buggy, 25 cents for a team of two horses or oxen pulling a wagon, buggy or carriage, 50 cents for four horses or oxen, or 75 cents for a team of six.

THE CANEBRAKE 33.2869° -95.6503°Native Americans used the stems of river cane to make arrow shafts and flutes. Leaves from this native grass also make good material for weaving baskets and mats.

OLD FENCING 33.2879° -95.6531°Along the trails and throughout the park, you might notice remnants of old barbed-wire fences. They are left from a time when early farmers used fencing to mark boundaries and to keep their livestock from wandering off their property.

POCKET PRAIRIE 33.2928° -95.6411°Pocket prairies are small openings in the oaks and cedar woodlands that remain from a time when large expanses of native prairie grasses once sustained herds of buffalo and many species of wildlife. Only a small portion of the native prairies still exist in Texas today.

Cooper Lake State Park Trails Map

LEGENDHeadquarters

Restroom

Chemical Toilet

Parking

Hiking Trail

Biking Trail

Equestrian Trail

Playground

Fishing Area

Swimming Area

Boat Ramp

Amphitheater

Picnic Area

Group Pavilion

Water/Electric Sites

Tent Camping

Equestrian Camping

Screened Shelters

Cottages/Cabins

Dump Station

All trails hiking and biking unless otherwise noted.Contour intervals are 10 feet. Trail lengths are in miles. Elevation levels are in feet. Map compiled by Texas State Parks staff.No claims are made as to the accuracy of the data nor to its suitability for a particular use.

South Sulphur Unit1690 FM 3505Sulphur Springs, TX 75482(903) 945-5256www.texasstateparks.org

0

0 2,500

0.5 1 MILE

5,000 FEET

In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State

Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries.

© 2020 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD MP P4508-0155C (7/20)

Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

NOVICE AREA

CHALLENGING AREA

INTERMEDIATE AREA

TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay

Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041.

For information on Texas State Parks, visit www.texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /texasparksandwildlife @TPWDparks #TxStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co.

Cooper Lake State ParkEnjoy the natural beauty of the forest and the lake. Close to the city though far away from the hustle and bustle, spend the day

horseback riding, hiking or biking the variety of trails at Cooper Lake State

Park. Choose an easy stroll, a challenging day-long ride, or something in

between. There is something for every skill level.

STAYING SAFEKNOW YOUR LIMITS. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking

shoes.

DRINK PLENTY OF WATER. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per

hour of activity.

TELL OTHERS WHERE YOU’LL BE. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when

you plan to return.

WEAR A HELMET. When biking, check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level.

Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.

POTENTIALLY HARMFUL PLANTS AND ANIMALS MAY LIVE HERE.

You’ll see them more easily if you stay on trails. Do not approach wildlife!

CHECK FOR TRAIL CLOSURES. Certain trails may be closed

during prescribed burns or for other resource management work.

TRAIL ETIQUETTETrash your trash. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.

Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick. Please do not feed them.

Don’t Pocket the Past. Help preserve Texas heritage. Leave artifacts where you find them and report their location to a ranger.

Take only memories and pictures. Disturbing or removing any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts is a violation of state law.

We need to know about your caches. Please check with park HQ before placing geocaches within the park.

No horsing around. Horseback riders must stay on trails marked for horses and yield to other trail users on multi-use trails. FOR EMERGENCIES, PLEASE CALL 9-1-1.

TRAIL

COYOTE RUNTRAIL

DISTANCE

4.6 mi. (round trip)

TIME

3 hrs

DIFFICULTY

Moderate

DESCRIPTION

Explore the hills and “bottoms” of the South Sulphur River Watershed. Native Americans and settlers were attracted to this land of plentiful wildlife, plants and water. Take time to see the canebrakes and pocket prairies along the way.

HONEY CREEK INTERPRETIVE TRAIL

0.3 mi. 30 min. Easy Discover the diversity of this area, where many species of native trees and shrubsare identified. This short trail is perfect for families.

LITTLE BLUESTEM LOOP

3.2 mi. 2 hrs. Easy This novice trail winds through several patches of little bluestem, ending with a panoramic view of the lake. Seek out tracks of the animals who call this ecosystem home.

LONESOME DOVE LOOP

4.8 mi. 3 hrs. Moderate / Challenging

This large loop crosses creeks and passes by a tranquil pond. Many terrain and elevation changes make this trail vary from moderate to challenging, while staying interesting the entire time!

RABBIT RUN 1.0 mi. 1 hr. Moderate Walk beneath post oak groves with pocket prairies spread out among these short but beautiful trails.

PIONEER PASS 1.5 mi. 1.5 hrs. Moderate Milkweed and monarch butterflies can be seen along sections of this trail. Notice the old road bed along the trail? It was used by locals, before the park opened.

White-tailed Deer

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page.