Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Mission Tejas State Park adventure.
Explore the pineywoods of East Texas and a replica of Mission Tejas.
Texas’ first Spanish mission—Mission San Francisco de los Tejas—was built in 1690 and summarily abandoned and burned down just three years later. Today, a replica built by the US Civilian Conservation Corps is the centerpiece of Mission Tejas State Park. About two and a half hours from both Dallas and Houston, the park is nestled in the pineywoods section of East Texas, characterized by rolling hills and soaring pine trees. Over eight miles of trail meander through the dogwood forest and historic sites, while fishing is popular at the pond. Mission Tejas Campground is the park’s only campground.
Mission Tejas State Park is open year-round. In late March, the pink and white dogwood blooms make the area sing with color. Summers run hot—from June to September, the average high is 90°F or above. (The closest swimming hole is 12 miles away at the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area.) For peak fall foliage colors, come in November. Winters are mild with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s.