Atlanta State Park

927 Park Rd 42
Atlanta TX 75551
903/796-6476

History: Atlanta State Park is 1475 acres on Lake Wright Patman Dam in Cass County, a few miles southwest of Texarkana. Texas acquired the land in 1954 by Department of the Army License which expires in 2004 with option to renew to 2054.

Caddo Indians, the most culturally advanced tribe in Texas, once made this area their home. The Caddos settled the area peacefully as farmers, unlike their nomadic and warlike brothers, the Apaches and Comanches. Excavations conducted by the Smithsonian Institute produced many graves and artifacts, and archaeologists found evidence of a house pattern with post molds still intact.

Activities: The park offers swimming in a designated sandy beach area (no lifeguard on duty) on Wright Patman Lake, a nature trail and a hiking trail of five miles, water skiing, boating (canoe rentals are available at the park), and fishing. Wright Patman Lake is also a popular fishing spot. The reservoir covers 20,300 acres and has an average depth of 7.6 feet. There are 170 miles of shoreline. On shore, the activities include walking, nature study, hiking, camping, picnicking, or jogging along roads, trails or shorelines. Bicycling is popular along the hilly park and area roads.

• Watch YouTube video of the Park.
• Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
• Detailed fishing & lake information for Lake Wright Patman.
• More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.

Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include Caddo Lake State Park, Daingerfield State Park, and Starr Family Home State Historic Site in Marshall Texas.

Atlanta abounds in antique, collectible, craft, and gift shops. Along with the dam and lake, include the town of Jefferson, with antebellum homes and the community of Three States, where you can stand in Texas and Arkansas and touch Louisiana.

Facilities: Facilities include restroom with and without showers; pull-through and back-in campsites with water and electricity; and pull-through and back-in campsites with water, electricity, and sewer; and trailer dump station. All campsites have tent pad, picnic table, water, a fire pit, and grill. There is group picnic pavilion with tables under shelter and tables adjacent, with grill, electricity, water, and restrooms nearby (accommodates 100); playground with swings and slides; sand volleyball courts; basketball court; horseshoe pits; 3.8 miles of hiking trails; 1.2 miles of nature/interpretive trails; amphitheater with the capacity of 50; a trailer dump station; concrete launching ramps; and a covered fish-cleaning shelter. Canoe rentals are also available. Special rates are available October - March for senior citizens. Be sure to visit the Texas State Park Store.

• Fees
• Map of Park (PDF 125.6 KB)

Check Availability/Make Reservations for Atlanta S.P.
You can also make e-mail reservations, fax reservations or phone reservations.

Natural Features: Contrasting seasonal colors of terrain, the lake, sunsets, and pine forests are breathtaking. Abundant bird and wildlife species and woodland plants offer excellent opportunities to observers. Crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, and several species of sunfish are present in good numbers, with quality-size fish available for recreational anglers. Catfish - channel, blue, and flathead are also available in large numbers.

• Birds of Atlanta State Park: A Field Checklist (PDF 232.2 KB)
• USGS Cass County Butterfly Checklist for information on butterflies in this area.

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

• Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Elevation: 264.
Weather: July Average. high is 90, January Average. low is 32: first/last freeze: November 9/March 27: wettest months: April, May.

• National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Schedule: Open 7 days/week all year: 2 p.m. checkout (overnight guests) reservations advisable. Highly recommended: insect repellant, sun lotion, camera, binoculars, extension cord, electrical adapters. Honor box collects entrance fees and camping for one night only after hours. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.

Directions: To reach the park, which is 11 miles northwest of Atlanta, exit from US Highway 59 onto FM 96, and go west 9 miles to FM 1154, then north 2 miles to Park Road 42 entrance, (FM 1154 dead ends at the park).
Location map for Atlanta State Park. (PDF 70 KB)

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.

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