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Go on exciting day trips and explore northeastern Texas in a tough Chevy Silverado, a spacious Dodge Durango, or a powerful Jeep Cherokee. Follow the road from Kilgore, TX, to spend a day in beautiful woodlands, on the shores of scenic lakes.
1. Tyler State Park
Take a half-hour drive to Tyler for an outdoor adventure at the beautiful wooded Tyler State Park at 789 Park Road 16. Explore the pine-hardwood forest surrounding the picturesque 64-acre spring-fed lake on 13 miles of hiking and biking trails and catch glimpses of native wildlife along the way. The park is home to white-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, squirrels, and over 200 species of birds, including resident pine warblers and brown-headed nuthatches.
There’s a boat ramp and three piers, and the park even offers loaner fishing rods, reels, and tackle as part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s Tackle Loaner Program. Rent a canoe or kayak to row on the lake, take a dip in the cool water, fish for bass, perch, crappie, and catfish, and have a lovely picnic under the trees on the shore of the lake before you head home.
2. Lake Jacksonville
Lake Jacksonville, surrounded by scenic east Texas scenery, is roughly 50 minutes from Kilgore, at 2700 Byrd Road in Jacksonville, and offers 1,325 acres of water fun. Visitors are spoiled for choice with three boat ramps, plenty of fish to catch, and two swimming areas.
Soak up the sun on the lovely sandy beaches, cool off in the crystal-clear water, and wet your hook to catch largemouth and spotted bass, crappie, and catfish. While enjoying the day on the lake, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagles, deer, red foxes, and waterfowl often spotted along the lake’s shore.
3. The Historic Rusk Depot
Head an hour down the road to the Historic Rusk Depot at 535 Park Road 76 in Rusk, where the Texas State Railroad began, built by prisoners in 1883 to transport ore and timber. Board an early-1900 coach pulled by an authentic steam or diesel locomotive for a scenic 50-mile roundtrip through Piney Woods and the wild East Texas countryside over 24 bridges, of which one spans over 1,000 feet.
After the historical journey, enjoy delicious regional cuisine at the Mail Car Café, inside a 100-year-old Texas and Pacific mail express car. The railroad is open throughout the year and is a local tradition over the Christmas season when the Polar Express makes its way down the Texas State Railroad tracks.
Take a well-deserved break and drive to amazing destinations packed with fun activities. Before you go on an adventure, stop at Patterson Kilgore Group to find the ideal vehicle from a wide selection of Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram models.
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