Rusk - Palestine Park

The park is surrounded by beautiful forests; however, the park facilities and grounds are in sad shape. We camped in our trailer at Site 27, a pull through full hook up site, for a Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in March. Beware the full hook-up sites are very near U. S. Highway 84 and traffic noise will disrupt the tranquil setting during the day. Although water, electric and sewer at our site was working, I found the roads, picnic tables, BBQ grills, site drainage, trails, and parking pads in general disrepair. Upon our arrival I found our parking pad covered in forest debris, so I wished I had thought to bring a yard broom. I also found the sewer cap was not covering the inlet causing me concern that debris such leaves and pine needles could have plugged the connection. I also saw dead trees throughout the campground so be watchful where you park if high winds in the weather forecast. The picnic tables are not mounted on covered pads and as a result are very weathered, so you may find the table at your site unusable. Some grills are missing and fire rings are not periodically cleaned out. Recommend you bring drinking water since I found the water has sulfurous odor. I did not see the park staff removing the weekend trash until Monday morning and I did not see any dumpsters nearby. Unless you are expecting a primitive campsite, I would not recommend camping in the full hook up sites at this park until the owner makes significant repairs and improves routine maintenance. Many years ago, this park was operated and managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). So don’t be fooled to believe this former TWPD park is maintained to current TWPD standards. It’s not clear to me who is currently responsible for the repair and maintenance of the park so it’s not clear how to address my repair and maintenance concerns. For my next East Texas camping trip I’ll look for a campsite a nearby TPWD or U. S. Forest Service campground.