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Lakeside Day Use Area is situated along the banks of the Lake O the Pines in the woods of east Texas. With a large shaded picnic pavilion and plenty of grassy open-space to run around, Lakeside Day Use is the perfect location for a day outdoors on the scenic Lake O the Pines.
Lakeside Day use is located near the Ferrells Bridge Dam. Lake O the Pines includes about 18,700 acres of water and 9,000 acres of land.
The lake was created by the construction of the Ferrells Bridge Dam on the Big Cypress Bayou. The reservoir was originally created as part of the overall plan for flood control in the Red River Basin below Denison Dam in Oklahoma, and has now become a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
Boating, fishing, hunting and wildlife viewing are all popular pastimes at Lakeside Park.
Lake O the Pines fishing includes largemouth small mouth and hybrid bass along with crappie, sunfish and catfish. In addition to boat fishing, there are also areas for bank fishing along the shore and below the dam along Big Cypress Bayou.
The surrounding 4,500 acres of federally owned property includes excellent hunting opportunities. In addition, the lake surface provides some of the best waterfowl hunting in East Texas.
Lakeside Park offers one large group picnic shelter, complete with electric hookups, that can accommodate up to 100 guests.
A boat ramp, dock and swimming beach are also provided, making the area perfect for large parties or family functions.
Other historic and tourist attractions are nearby in the towns of Jefferson and Marshall, and Texas Wildflower Trail routes are located along the roads surrounding the lake.
From Jefferson, Texas, travel 4 miles northwest on Highway 49. Turn left onto FM 729 and continue for about 7 miles, then turn left again onto FM 726. After nearly 5 miles the park entrance will be on the right.
We loved swimming here, the area is clean to the point where you can walk and swim barefoot. They have shaded picnic tables but we set up closer to the lake. The bank gradually slopes down so there is plenty of shallower water for the little ones to play in. I fully recommend this place but please take you trash with you and it doesn’t hurt to pick up some trash near you and throw it away when you leave. Enjoy
We love this area of Lake O Pines. What a glorious spot to see the sun setting on the lake. Driving down the road towards the lake you’ll see the sun hanging like a ball of fire through the trees. Plenty of picnic tables, very clean area, bathrooms have been clean every time we’ve went. The only downside is that it is a very popular place and it’s really busy on the weekends. In the fall it wasn’t nearly as bad but summer time is popping! Definitely worth visiting for boating, grilling, picnic and family time.
We had a nice visit when we rented the pavilion. Bathrooms are about 100 yards away and they were clean. No immediate water access in this area. The tables and pavilion were in good condition and clean when we arrived. Of course we left it that way as well.
This is a Day Use Park only...
HOURS are: 06:00 (6 am) to 22:00 (10 pm)!
Parts of the Park are closed from Oct. 1 to Mar. 1, or during flooding at times.
NO CAMPING ALLOWED!
Sandy Beach and boat ramp areas are, and have been, "home" to Big Bass Bonanza since 2002...
Speed Limits in ALL CORPS Parks are MAXIMUM 25 MPH; MAXIMUM of 10 MPH in Beach & Boat Ramp areas!
