Lake Whitney State Park Explained

Lake Whitney State Park
Map:Texas#USA
Relief:yes
Location:Hill County, Texas
Nearest City:Whitney, Texas
Area:775acres
Created:1965
Operator:Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Visitation Num:108,166
Visitation Year:2022
Visitation Ref:[1]
Coords:31.9311°N -97.3567°W

Lake Whitney State Park is a state park located in Hill County, Texas, near Whitney, Texas. The park is 775acres.[2]

History

Lake Whitney was created in 1951 when the United States Army Corps of Engineers constructed a dam on the Brazos River in order to prevent flooding in downstream communities such as Waco.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department leased 775-acres along the east shore of Lake Whitney for Lake Whitney State Park from the United States Department of the Army in 1954. The park opened in 1965.

Recreation

The park has facilities for fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, nature study, bird watching, and geocaching. There are 2.1miles of trails in the park that can be used for hiking and cycling. The park rangers lead nature programs throughout the year.[3]

Overnight camping facilities include tent and recreational vehicle sites and screened shelters. The recreational vehicle sites have water, electricity and sewage hookups available.

Nature

Animals

Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, foxes, coyotes, and bobcats.

The park hosts nearly 200 species of birds. Some of the common birds are bald eagles, American white pelicans, roadrunners, great blue herons and little blue herons.[4]

Flora

The park lies on the Washita Prairie, and features both grasslands and woodlands. Some trees species are netleaf hackberry, cedar elm, post oak, and plateau live oak.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Christopher Adams . What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown . KXAN.com . November 21, 2023.
  2. Web site: Lake Whitney State Park History — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. 2021-06-12. tpwd.texas.gov. en.
  3. Web site: Lake Whitney State Park — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. 2021-06-12. tpwd.texas.gov. en.
  4. Web site: Lake Whitney State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. 2021-06-12. tpwd.texas.gov. en-us.