News Release
Media Contact: Steve Killian, [email protected], 903-916-0211
October 2 nd , 2021
Celebrate Cooper Lake State Park’s 25 th Anniversary and so much more during October!
Cooper, TX— Fall may be the best time to experience a Texas State Park and Cooper Lake State Park is no exception! Making this October more special than most is the park’s 25 th Anniversary Celebration. Cooper Lake State Park was opened to the public in 1996 and is one of the newest parks in our vast Texas State Park system. The festivities will take place on October 15 th and October 16 th . We are waiving all entrance fees during the two-day event so that means, FREE!
On October 15 th at the Doctors Creek Unit, we will host our official 25 th Anniversary Ceremony at 10am. Headliners will be the Texas State Park Director, Rodney Franklin, the Hopkins County Judge, Robert Newsom, the City of Cooper Texas Mayor, Darren Braddy, the Army Corps of Engineer Lake Manager, Matt Seavey and others! The public is invited, and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc.
Special thanks to the Cooper ISD and North Hopkins ISD for event support.
**On October 15 th at 7pm, at the South Sulphur Unit, the Main Street Community Theatre of Sulphur Springs will host a theatrical production. This performance will be held at the amphitheater located near the Honey Creek Day Use Area. The production is free and is titled, “Community Players Variety Show.” Arrive early for the best seating.
**On October 16 th , from 9am to 4pm, at the South Sulphur Unit, a wide variety of family fun events and displays will be provided. This includes guided hikes, visit with water safety dog – “Bobber”, learn about the mammals of the park, get a quick course on
boater safety, visit with a game warden and so much more! That night, the park is hosting the Reilly Springs Jamboree Band with special musical guests on October 16 th from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. This is the perfect way to conclude our 25 th celebration on the banks of Cooper Lake listening to classic country music. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the concert! This free fun event will provide concert goers with
access to some of the best local music our area has to offer. Listen in your lawn chairs or in your boat floating on the lake. Bring your own refreshments and food and enjoy! Remember, alcohol is not allowed. Special thanks to the Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc for supporting this musical event!
Celebrate with us by fishing! Fish from the bank, off our pier, fishing wall, or rent a kayak and try your luck along the shoreline. Fish attractors have been placed around the Doctor’s Creek floating fishing
pier and the fishing wall at South Sulphur to help increase fishing success. Crappie, bluegill, bass, and catfish are commonly caught at both park units. Fishing licenses are not required if you are fishing from the bank or fishing pier at Cooper Lake State Park.
Other popular activities include hiking our trails, or just resting under a giant Post Oak tree, or camping at one of our tree-canopied campsites.
During our normal schedule, Park entrance fees are $5 for
adults; kids 12 and under always free. Senior Texans 65 or older will only pay $3 to enter the park daily with a Bluebonnet Pass (Remember, park entrance is free October 15 th and 16 th).
Unlimited park entrances for you and everyone in your vehicle can be
accomplished with the purchase of a Texas State Park Annual Pass for $70, which is good for over 12 months. Buy your pass and let your Texas adventure begin! For more information on this or other events and programs, please visit and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903)-945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctor’s Creek (903) 395-3100).
October Educational Programs and Events – Cooper Lake State
Park – South Sulphur & Doctors Creek
Friday, October 15 — Doctor’s Creek 25 th Anniversary!!
Join us as we celebrate 25 years as a State Park! Free Park Entrance!
*25 th Anniversary Ceremony at 10a.m. – Listen to the Texas State Park’s Director, Hopkins County Judge and others about how Cooper Lake State Park is serving the citizens of Texas. Event refreshments and setting provided by Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc.
*Buffalo Soldiers – 11 a.m. Join 1st Sgt. Padilla as he travels to Cooper Lake to help bring in our 25th anniversary. Enjoy stories of the Buffalo Soldiers and much more.
*Community Players Variety Show – Friday October15 at 7 p.m. – 8 p.m.
performing at South Sulphur at the Honey Creek Amphitheater.
Enjoy an evening of entertainment with the Community Players Variety Show.
Saturday, October 16 — South Sulphur 25 th Anniversary!!
Join us as we celebrate 25 years as a State Park!! Free Park Entrance! All events start at 9 a.m. lasting until 4 p.m. and are located at Heron Harbor unless otherwise noted –
*Buffalo Soldiers – Join 1st Sgt. Padilla as he travels to Cooper Lake to help bring in our 25th anniversary. Enjoy stories of the Buffalo Soldiers and much more.
*Army Corps of Engineers featuring Bobber the Water Safety Dog! Come out to meet Bobber the Water Safety Dog.
*Boater Safety with a State Park Police Officer – meet at 2 p.m. between the kayaks and fishing Wall of Gulls Bluff boat ramp and Heron Harbor day use. Learn the rules of the water and boater safety.
*Master Naturalist – stop by and speak with an expert of all things flora and fauna.
*Angler Education – Back Yard Bass casting opportunity – Fishing on dry land?
*Game Wardens – Curious about the rules and regulations of hunting and fishing? Learn the rules and more speaking with the local Game Warden.
*Dutch Oven Cooking at 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Join the NETDOGs as they prepare an assortment of yummy food using cast iron cookware.
*Trail Hike – 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meet at Coyote Run trailhead. What tree is that? What animal or insect is that? Learn the answer to these and more during a short hike.
*Skins and Skulls – Get an inside look at some of the creatures that live in our park.
*Live Music – Reilley Springs Jamboree Band with special guests – 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. at the South Sulphur Gulls Bluff Boat Ramp Parking Area. Country Music, talented guests and Comedy. Bring your lawn chairs for an amazing music treat! This event is provided by Friends of Doctors Creek, Inc.
Sunday, October 17 – DC
*The Wildlife are Starting to Look Different – 10 a.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Pelican Point Day Use Area. The trees are not the only thing changing color and or preparing for cooler temperatures.
Friday, October 22 — SS
*Owls at 6:30 p.m. Meet at South Sulphur Coyote Run trailhead where we’ll take a short hike on the trail looking and listening for owls during this fall night-time hike.
Saturday, October 23 — DC & SS
*Spiders! – 10 a.m. Meet at South Sulphur Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Join us for a web twisting investigation into these sticky traps.
*Calling All Turkeys – 2 p.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Pelican Point Day Use Area. Explore the history of turkeys in Texas, where they live now. Discover what a snood is?
Sunday, October 24 – SS
*Predator or Prey? – 10 a.m. Meet at South Sulphur Heron Harbor Day Use Area. To eat or be eaten, that is the reality of life in the wild.
Saturday, October 30 – DC & SS
*The Good, the Bat and the Ugly at 10 a.m. Meet at South Sulphur Heron Harbor Day Use Area. Texas is home to 32 species of bats. Learn about these fascinating flying mammals.
*Wildlife Walk at 2 p.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Cedar Creek North trailhead where we’ll take a short hike on the trail looking out for the creatures that live in our park.
Sunday, October 31 – DC
*The Good, The Bat, and the Ugly – 2 p.m. Meet at Doctors Creek Headquarters. Texas is home to 32 species of bats. Learn about these fascinating flying mammals.
*Events and programs are subject to cancellation due to weather, if cancelled an update will be made to the Facebook posting. Please contact park staff for more information and the latest updates.
