May 31, 2024 – Cooper, TX – It’s the start of summer and there will be plenty of things to do at Cooper Lake State Park! When planning your next trip, be sure to think about how you can stay safe in the Texas summer heat. When you come out to hike, it’s important to stay hydrated so bring plenty of water for yourself and those joining you, including pets. Sunshine is nice but when you come out to swim or catch some fish, be sure to use sunscreen and spend some time in the shade if you start to get too hot. Be sure to check out our sand volleyball court on your next visit. Here at Cooper Lake State Park, we want you to be safe so everyone can have fun!
There are plenty of events to attend this month at Cooper Lake State Park. Kicking off the month is Fishing with the Ranger on June 1st from 9am to 11am at the Doctors Creek Unit and South Sulphur Unit. On June 2nd there will be Art in the Park at both units starting at 10am. Join us on June 8th for a guided hike at either unit starting at 9am. The hike at Doctors Creek will start at the Pelican Point parking lot and the South Sulphur hike will start at the Buggy Whip trailhead. On Saturday, June 15th at Doctors Creek, there will be Kayaking 101 from 9am to 11am. Those interested will need to register if you need to borrow a kayak from the park, and children under 10 will need to be with an adult. You can register for this event by contacting Alicia O’Connor at Alicia.o’[email protected]. On June 15th at South Sulphur, kids can become Junior Rangers, just meet up at HQ at 3pm. The next day, June 16th there will be a skins and skulls presentation at South Sulphur at 10am. June 22nd there will be Roving with the Ranger at Doctors Creek from 9am to 10am and a Moonlit Walk at South Sulphur starting at the Coyote Run trailhead at 8pm. Come stargazing at Doctors Creek on June 28th, meet us on the swim beach at 8:30pm. On June 29th there will be a skins and skulls presentation at 9am for Doctors Creek and a guided hike at South Sulphur starting from the Buggy Whip trailhead at 10am. Our final event of the month will be our Becoming a Junior Ranger program on June 30th at the South Sulphur unit starting at 10am.
All programs are free with your entrance permit. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and like our Facebook pages (Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903)945-5256 and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek (903)395-3100).
Doctors Creek
Saturday, June 1 – DC
Fishing with the Ranger: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Lone Pine Boat Launch Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, June 2 – DC
Art in the Park – 10 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion –
Let loose your inner artist. All art supplies provided. The great outdoors is our inspiration!
Saturday, June 8 — DC
Guided Hike – 9 a.m. Meet at Pelican Point Parking Lot. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on Cedar Creek South Loop getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, the pocket prairie, varied insects, and the flora of the park.
Saturday, 15 — DC
Kayaking 101 – 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Registration required if borrowing one of our kayaks – Meet at Lone Pine Kayak Launch – Learn to kayak, then go for an instructor lead paddle around the cove. Children under ten years old must be with an adult in kayak. Life jackets will be provided and worn by all participants. You are welcome to bring your own kayak(s) and life jackets. Please ask about available kayak sizes when registering. Contact Alicia O’Connor – alicia.o’[email protected] or call (903) 395-3100 to register.
Saturday, June 22 – DC
Roving with the Ranger – 9 a.m. – 10 a.m. Stop our roving ranger to find out what they are sharing about a natural resource of the park.
Friday, June 28 — DC
Stargazing – 8:30 p.m. Meet at the swim beach. We’ll have the telescopes out. How many constellations can you see and name?
Saturday, June 29 – DC
Skins and Skulls – 9 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Headquarters – Get an inside look at some of the mammals of the park.
South Sulphur
Saturday, June 1 – SS
Fishing with the Ranger: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Meet at the Heron Harbor Fishing Wall in the Day Use Area. Bring your own fishing gear or we have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience needed.
Sunday, June 2 — SS
Art in the Park – 10 a.m. Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion – Let loose your inner artist. All art supplies provided. The great outdoors is our inspiration!
Saturday, June 8 — SS
Guided Hike – 9 a.m. Meet at the Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail Head. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on the Little Blue Stem trail getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, and the flora of the park.
Saturday, June 15 – SS
Becoming a Junior Ranger – 3 p.m. Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.
Sunday, June 16 – SS
Skins and Skulls – 10 a.m. Who is the fastest or the furriest? Meet at Headquarters – Get an inside look at some of the mammals of the park.
Saturday, June 22 — SS
Moonlight Walk – Meet at Coyote Run Trailhead, 8 p.m. Join us on a moonlit walk on Coyote Run Trail getting a first-hand look at the nightlife along the trail, and the pocket prairie. Did you hear that? What was that noise?
Saturday, June 29 – SS
Guided Hike – 10 a.m. Meet at the Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail Head. Join a Ranger on a short leisurely hike on the Little Blue Stem trail getting a first-hand look at the shoreline inhabitants, and the flora of the park.
Sunday, June 30 – SS
Becoming a Junior Ranger – 10 a.m. Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.
