Posted by dgetx
Fairfield Lake State Park is composed of 1,460 acres northeast of Fairfield in Freestone County, surrounding a 2,400 acre lake. The park was acquired in 1971 – 1972 by lease from Texas Utilities and was opened to the public in 1976. The population is sparsely scattered across the area, where Texas Utilities built its dam to create Fairfield Lake as a cooling system for its new power plant.
The area history is similar to that of most of rural East Texas. Native Americans occupied the land for many years until Anglo farmers broke ground for cotton and corn farming in the mid-nineteenth century. After the Civil War, the crop-lien system was put in place and farmers worked in the cotton fields until after World War II, when changes in agriculture and employment opportunities began to take place. Thus was the end of widespread cotton farming.
Fairfield State Park offers camping, backpacking, hiking, , day use equestrian, nature study, bird watching, boating, water skiing, jet skiing, fishing, and lake swimming in a large, buoyed, sandy area. Since the lake is warmed by the TXU Big Brown power plant, people come from all over the state to take advantage of excellent winter fishing opportunities. From November through February fishing clubs from Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, Waco, Austin, and Tyler areas host tournaments on the lake every weekend. Anglers who enjoy the fight of Red Drum do not have to drive all the way to the Gulf Coast to snag one. The warm water temperatures of Fairfield Lake allows for the lake to be stocked with Red Drum. The state record for inland Red Drum was taken from Fairfield Lake (44 inches, 36.83lbs).
Fairfield State Park has lake front campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; a hike-in primitive camping area (at the end of a 6-mile, round-trip hiking trail); picnicking; an overflow camping area; restrooms with and without showers; a lighted fishing pier; a fish-cleaning shelter; a fish-cleaning table; boat ramps; a trailer dump station; playgrounds; a group dining hall for day-use only; and an amphitheater.
The six-mile trail is connected an older 9-mile trail to provide a continuous 15 miles of trailways which can be used for multiple purposes such as hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian from one of the park to the other. Much of the trail is adjacent to the lake, and offers exception land and water views. There is also a 2-mile nature trail and a 1-mile bird watching trail available in the park.
Fairfield State Park is nestled among oak, hickory, cedar, elm, dogwood, and redbud trees which marks the transition zone between the Pineywoods and the Prairie Grasslands. Wildlife found in the park includes osprey, bald eagles, white-tail deer, raccoons, foxes, beavers, squirrels, and armadillos. Other popular catches include catfish, bass, carp, freshwater redfish, and other varieties.
A State Park Store offers park-related merchandise such as firewood and ice for campers. There is an honor box to collect park use fees after hours.
Elevation: 461 ft.
Weather: July average high is 95; January average low is 35; April and May are wettest months; first/last freeze: November 29/March 11.
Schedule: Open: 7 days a week year-round, except for Public Hunts.
Directions: The park is 6 miles northeast of Fairfield off FM 2570 on FM 3285 adjacent to Fairfield Lake. 90 miles south of the Dallas/ Fort Worth area, 150 miles north of the Houston area, and 60 miles east of Waco. The park is located just a few miles from Interstate 45, northeast of the city of Fairfield, Texas.
Entrance Fees:
$4 per day, per person 13 and older, staying for day use only.
To inquire about a group school-sponsored trip contact the park to make arrangements.
Special entrance rates for holders of:
Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit.
Texas Parklands Passport (Bluebonnet Pass)
Facility Fees
Applicable daily entrance fees are charged in addition to the campsite or facility fee. Pets are not allowed in any Texas State Park buildings. For other general pet restrictions check the Texas State Park Regulations. For park specific pet restrictions and more information contact the park at 1-800-792-1112.
Camping
Maximum 8 people per campsite unless otherwise noted. Applicable daily entrance fees are charged in addition to the campsite or facility fee.
50 – Hike-in primitive campsites – Contact park for availability. No camping in area from Dec.-Feb. each year:
$9 per 4 people, per night
35 – Campsites with water – These sites are closed Dec. through Feb. 10 non-reservable premium (waterfront) sites are available, on a first come first serve basis, as an upgrade (from a regular campsite with water) at the park. Sites have picnic table, fire ring and/or grill. Sites may vary in length. :
$12 per night
$63 per week
96 – Campsites with electric & water hook-ups – . 26 non-reservable premium (waterfront) sites are available, on a first come first serve basis, as an upgrade (from a regular campsite with water) at the park. These sites are located in the Cooks Ferry and Post Oak Loops. 35 sites closed from Dec – Feb. Sites have a picnic table, fire ring, and/or grill. Sites may vary in length, room for slideouts on some sites. These sites are ADA compliant:
$18 per night
$95 per week
4 – Campsites with sewer, electric, & water hook-ups – These sites are for the Park Host and are not reservable. Information on the Park Host program. If used by the public when available, full hook-up sites are rented for:
$22 per night
$115 per week
Overflow Camping Area (non-reservable):
$7
Day Use Facilities
1 – Group Dining Hall (capacity 60). This facility is located next to the fishing pier. No eating or cooking utensils provided, customer needs to bring their own:
$100 per day
1 – Amphitheater (capacity 50). Contact the park for information.
