Possum Kingdom State Park Guide
Trails, swimming and fishing on the west side of the lake
Possum Kingdom State Park covers 1,528.7 acres of canyon country on the west side of Possum Kingdom Lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) says the lake has some of the clearest, bluest water in the Southwest. The park has short hiking trails, a boat launch, a fishing pier, boat rentals and campsites.
Our cabins are on the east side of the lake at 1782 FM 2951 in Graford. The park is about 45 miles from them by road, roughly an hour’s drive, which makes it an easy day trip. This guide covers what to do in the park, what it costs and how its cabins compare with ours.
Park history
The state bought the land from the Brazos River Authority in 1940, and the park opened to the public in 1950.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Company 2888 started work here in May 1941, and its plans changed when the new reservoir filled unexpectedly. The men cleared the park area and shoreline, built campsites and picnic tables, and built roads until July 1942. It was the last project the CCC worked on in Texas.
In 2011, the Possum Kingdom Complex fires burned more than 100,000 acres and about 90 percent of the park. TPWD says the park is recovering, and the fire cleared invasive cedars so other plants could flourish. Numerous white-tailed deer live in the park. The park’s longhorns are “on sabbatical” at San Angelo State Park while TPWD restores their home range.
Hiking trails
The park’s trails are short, so you can hike more than one in a morning:
| Trail | Length | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Lakeview Trail | 1.4 miles | Moderate |
| Longhorn Trail | 0.4 mile | Challenging, ends at an overlook |
| Chaparral Ridge Trail | 0.5 mile | Challenging |
| CCC Camp Trail | 0.6 mile | Easy, passes the CCC camp site |
Download the park and trail maps from the TPWD park map page. Want a longer hike? The Brazos River Authority’s free Possum Kingdom Hike & Bike Trail has 16 miles of trails on the lake’s central peninsula. See things to do near Possum Kingdom Lake for that and other trails.
Swim, fish and paddle
On the water, you can swim, boat, fish, ski, scuba dive and snorkel. The park has:
- A boat launch, a fishing pier and a fish-cleaning station. You don’t need a fishing license to fish from shore in a Texas state park.
- The park store, which rents boats, kayaks, paddle boats and boat slips. It also sells groceries, camping and fishing supplies, ice cream and sno-cones. Call (940) 521-9128.
As of October 2026, the park’s ADA kayak launch is closed for repairs. Kids can pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal at park headquarters, or borrow an Explorer Pack of tools for exploring the park.
For more on the lake, see our fishing guide and our boat rentals and swimming guide.
Entry fees and reservations
- Adults (13 and older): $4 per person per day
- Kids 12 and under: free
- Texas State Parks Pass: $70 a year for unlimited entry for you and your guests (the pass holder must be present)
Reserve your day pass before you go. TPWD says the park often reaches capacity and recommends reservations for both camping and day use. Reserve online or call (512) 389-8900. Busy season is weekends from March through October, and every day from June through August. Park questions: (940) 549-1803.
Check the park’s alerts before you go. As of October 2026, TPWD lists December closures from 10 PM December 4 to 6 AM December 7, and from 10 PM December 11 to 6 AM December 14, when only permitted hunters are allowed in. Fees and closures can change, so check TPWD’s site before your visit.
Getting there from the cabins
The park is at 3901 State Park Rd 33, Caddo, TX 76429. It’s on the west side of the lake, and our cabins are on the east side, so the drive goes around the lake. From the cabins it’s about 45 miles, roughly an hour each way. TPWD’s directions: take U.S. Highway 180 to Caddo, then go 17 miles north on Park Road 33.
Pack lunch at the cabin, or pick up supplies at The Trading Post grocery store (about a mile from the cabins) on your way out. If you’re towing a boat, you can launch at the ramp across the street from the cabins instead and skip the drive.
Camping and cabins at the park
Campsites (TPWD rates as of October 2026, plus the daily entry fee):
- Spanish Oaks, with electricity: 21 sites, $25 a night in peak season (March through November) and $20 off-peak
- Shady Grove, with electricity: 40 sites, $20 a night. RVs must be 25 feet or shorter. The loop usually closes for the winter and reopens March 1.
- Sites with water: 53 sites, $12 a night. The Chaparral Trail loop is closed December through February.
- Primitive walk-in sites: 10 sites, $10 a night, 50 to 150 yards from parking
Cabins: The park has six small cabins: two ADA cabins with a queen bed and a bunk bed ($100 a night) and four cabins with two sets of bunk beds for four people ($75 a night), plus the entry fee. They have air conditioning, heat, a kitchen sink, a refrigerator, a stove with an oven, and a bathroom with a shower. You bring your own bed and bath linens and cooking utensils, and pets aren’t allowed. TPWD says cabins 1 through 6 will close December through February for renovations. The park’s Longhorn Lodge, which sleeps 8, is closed for repairs.
State park cabins vs. our cabins
If you’re bringing more than four people, or you’d like a hot tub, a full kitchen and a pool, our cabins are an alternative to the park’s:
| Possum Kingdom State Park cabins | Possum Kingdom Cabins | |
|---|---|---|
| Sleeps | Small cabins; the four-person cabins sleep 4 | 6 to 8 per cabin, up to 44 across six cabins |
| Kitchen | Sink, fridge, stove and oven; bring your own utensils | Full kitchen in every cabin |
| Extras | Picnic table and outdoor grill | Grill, washer and dryer, and Wi-Fi in every cabin; private hot tubs at three cabins |
| Pool | None listed | Community pool, open 8 AM to 10 PM |
| Side of the lake | West, inside the park | East, across the road from the lake |
| Pets | Not allowed in cabins | Not allowed (service animals welcome) |
The hot tubs at Lake Escape, Beneath The Stars and Bearpaw are open year-round. See our cabins with hot tubs or book several cabins for a group. Coming for the Fourth? Read our Hell’s Gate fireworks guide.
Possum Kingdom State Park FAQ
How much does it cost to get into Possum Kingdom State Park?
Entry is $4 per person per day for ages 13 and older. Kids 12 and under get in free. A Texas State Parks Pass, $70 a year, covers entry for you and your guests when the pass holder is present.
Do I need a reservation for Possum Kingdom State Park?
Texas Parks and Wildlife says the park often reaches capacity and recommends reserving day passes online or by calling (512) 389-8900 before you visit.
How far is Possum Kingdom State Park from the cabins?
The park is about 45 miles from our cabins by road, roughly an hour's drive, because it's on the west side of the lake and the cabins are on the east side.
Can you swim at Possum Kingdom State Park?
Yes. TPWD lists swimming among the park's water activities, along with boating, fishing, skiing, scuba diving and snorkeling.
Do you need a fishing license at Possum Kingdom State Park?
No license is needed to fish from shore inside a Texas state park. Park entry fees still apply.
Can you rent kayaks at Possum Kingdom State Park?
Yes. The park store rents boats, kayaks, paddle boats and boat slips. Call (940) 521-9128.
Does Possum Kingdom State Park have cabins?
Yes. The park has six small cabins: two ADA cabins and four four-person cabins. Guests bring their own linens and cooking utensils, and pets aren't allowed. TPWD says the cabins will close December through February for renovations.
Ready to book? Start with any cabin: Lake Escape · Beneath The Stars · Bearpaw · All Decked Out · Marina Vista · Lake Sippin. Each page has photos, amenities and a Check Availability button.