Fort Parker State Park: Springfield and Bur Oak Trails (Blog Hike #1049)

Trails: Springfield and Bur Oak Trails
Hike Location: Fort Parker State Park
Geographic Location: south of Mexia, TX (31.59675, -96.53630)
Length: 2.7 miles
Difficulty: 2/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: February 2025
Overview: A double loop through the historic Springfield town site and along Fort Parker Lake.
Park Information: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/fort-parker
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=980132
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming November 28)

Directions to the trailhead: From Mexia, which is east of Waco, take SR 14 south 7 miles to the signed state park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, pay the entrance fee, and drive the main park road to the park's nature center.  Park in the perpendicular parking lot on the left just before reaching the nature center.

The hike: Built between 1935 and 1942 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Fort Parker State Park protects 1459 acres along the Navasota River about 90 miles south of Dallas.  The park is named for old Fort Parker, which was built by Mexican/Texan settlers a couple of miles to the south in 1834.  The fort was destroyed on May 19, 1836 when a group of Comanche, Kiowa, Wichita, and Caddo people raided the settlement.  The CCC reconstructed Fort Parker near its original site, but their reconstruction is operated by a private not-for-profit organization; it is not located within the park's boundaries.

            Fort Parker State Park offers a cozy 35-site developed campground, the usual aquatic recreation on Fort Parker Lake, and 5 hiking trails totaling over 7 miles.  Many excellent hikes are possible at this park.  The hike described here passes several CCC sites that date to the 1930's in addition to the historic Springfield town site, which dates to the 1840's.  Thus, this hike allows you to explore the area's history while taking in some nice lakeside scenery.

Main trailhead at picnic area

            From the parking lot, walk downhill through the picnic area to the east to find the wooden sign that marks the trailhead.  The Navasota River Trail goes left, and it leads 1.9 miles northwest along the lakeshore.  Continue east to cross a floating bridge over an arm of Fort Parker Lake, following signs for the Bur Oak and Springfield Trails.

Bur Oak and Springfield Trails split

            In only a few hundred feet, the Bur Oak and Springfield Trails part ways.  We will hike both trails eventually, but for now angle left to begin following the yellow blazes of the Springfield Trail.  The wide single-track dirt trail climbs gradually through shrubby forest dominated by cedar and oak trees.

Climbing gradually on the Springfield Trail

            Just shy of 0.5 miles, you reach the historic Springfield Cemetery.  Dedicated in 1838, this cemetery is all that remains of Springfield, which was once the county seat of Limestone County.  Headstones in this cemetery date to the 1840's, and interpretive signs describe the history of the town.  Springfield flourished until it was bypassed by the railroad in 1870, and a devastating fire in 1873 sealed its fate.  A bench here lets you rest and contemplate this area's history.

Springfield Cemetery

            A trail intersection at the cemetery forms the loop portion of the Springfield Trail.  I continued straight and used the trail going left across the main park road as my return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise.  At 0.6 miles, you come out at a park road near some athletic fields.  Turn right and then left to keep heading southeast on the Springfield Trail.

Fort Parker Dam

            0.9 miles into the hike, you reach an overlook of Fort Parker Dam.  The large concrete dam creates an attractive if man-made waterfall, and broad views emerge west up the length of the lake.  Just left of this overlook is a much smaller lake: Lake Springfield.  Lake Springfield is spring-fed, and today it is used as the park's fishing lake.  Many black walnut trees grow here, and Lake Springfield is a very scenic body of water.

Lake Springfield

            The trail curves left to head up the east side of Lake Springfield through forest dominated by pine trees.  Interpretive signs help you identify common plants in the forest.  Soon you join a two-track gravel road, and at 1.3 miles you cross the park entrance road near the park headquarters.  The small wooden building that today serves as the park headquarters was originally the infirmary for the CCC camp.  Thus, Springfield Cemetery is not the only site of historical interest on this hike.

Park headquarters

            The next segment is a fairly flat and uneventful course through more cedar/oak forest.  I saw a lot of wildlife in this part of the park including 4 deer.  At 1.6 miles, you return to Springfield Cemetery and close the loop.  Turn right to head back toward the parking area, but before crossing the floating bridge turn left to add-on the short Bur Oak Trail.

Fort Parker Lake

            The Bur Oak Trail forms a short lollipop loop near the lake, the highlight of which is a lakeside bird blind.  This bird blind peers across the lake to a great blue heron rookery, and I saw several egrets while I sat here.  I did this entire hike in a light steady rain, so I also appreciated the dryness this roofed bird blind offered.  Past the bird blind, finish the Bur Oak Trail's loop, then retrace your steps across the floating bridge to return to your car and complete the hike.