Bonham State Park

1363 State Park 24
Bonham TX 75418-9285
903/583-5022

History: Bonham State Park is a 261-acre park located in Fannin County northeast of Dallas. It includes a 65-acre lake, rolling prairies, and woodlands.

Constructed in early 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the land was acquired in 1933 from the City of Bonham and was opened in 1936.

Activities: There is (unsupervised) swimming and fishing in the man-made lake, built in 1935, as well as camping, picnicking, mountain biking, boating (5 mph speed limit).

• Watch YouTube video of the Park.
• Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.
• More Information on outdoor activities from the Experience Texas page.

Area Attractions: Nearby attractions include the Eisenhower State Park, Eisenhower Birthplace and Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Sites. Bonham attractions include Sam Rayburn Memorial Library, named in honor of Sam Rayburn, and the Sam Rayburn Home. Rayburn was a Fannin County native who held the office of U.S. Speaker of the House the longest period thus far. Also, the Fannin County Museum; Fort English Park; and the Fannin County Courthouse are located in Bonham.

Campsites & Other Facilities: Facilities include restrooms with and without showers; picnic sites (including one group picnic area); campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water; a group camp with barracks and a dining hall, which accommodates approximately 94 people (the facility is only rented as a single unit, not separately); an 11-mile trail for mountain biking and hiking; a playground; a launching ramp; a boat dock; and a lighted fishing pier.

• Fees
• Map of Park (PDF 84.4 KB)

Natural Features: The park is situated in the Blackland Prairie Region of Texas. The terrain is dominated by grassland interspersed by woodlands. More luxuriant woodlands occur along water courses and the lake's shoreline. Although the park's grasslands are no longer pristine, they are recovering nicely and have small areas dominated by little bluestem and bushy bluestem. The woodlands are composed of Texas Oak, eastern red cedar, bois d'arc, and eve's necklace, with sugarberry, cottonwood, black willow, and green ash becoming more common along the creeks and lake shore. Numerous wildflowers and flowering shrubs cover the gently rolling prairie in the spring, and stands of cedar and mixed hardwoods provide a panorama of multicolored leaves in the fall.

Wildlife is limited because of the relatively small size of the park. However, the lake shoreline provides habitats for beaver, raccoon, opossum, and a number of visiting songbirds. Although a few woodland birds are permanent residents, visitor and migrant species outnumber the residents.

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

• Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Elevation: 568 feet
Weather: Average rainfall: 41.6 Temperature: January minimum 31 degrees and maximum in July is 95 degrees.

• National Weather Service forecast for this area.

Schedule: Open: Headquarters hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The park is open 7 days a week year-round. There is no gate. An honor box is located at headquarters for after-hours collection. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months.

Directions: To reach the park, go 1.5 miles southeast of Bonham on State Highway 78 to FM 271, then two miles southeast on FM 271; enter on Park Road 24. Bonham Location Map (PDF 22.6 KB)

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

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