Submitted by:Prospect

Eisenhower State Park

50 Park Road 20
Denison, TX 75020-4878
Eisenhower State Park Website

(903) 465-1956

Green Area Availability : Easy to find
Green Area Cleanliness : Typical
Congestion : Effort minimizes contact with others
Wildlife Alert : Possibility of Large Game
Walking / Hiking Terrain : Frequent Steep Inclines
Walking / Hiking Surface : Loose Gravel & Dirt Path

This dog really enjoyed Eisenhower State Park. We seriously considered staying another day but having lots on our Texas to-do list we moved on towards Dallas after a full morning and afternoon of hiking.

The staff were friendly and accommodating to The Chauffeur and me. Near the end of the business day we were a couple hours away from arriving. To help us get started exploring the next morning, Becky placed a hiking trail map in an envelope on the board near the honor check-in station.

The camping spots were GREAT. At some parks you're right next to your camping neighbor. Here all the camping spots we saw were designed to give each campsite a feel of seclusion. Each spot was cut-out into the woods and a considerable distance from the next site.

Eisenhower State Park is located on Lake Texoma just upstream from the Denison Dam on the Red River. We woke up early and enjoyed an awesome sunrise (see images).

The hiking trail wore this dog out. The trail system is about 4 miles and divided into 2 sections. The eastern most part is a pedestrian only trail. The western part allows mountain bikes but, with the exception of a few short spots, we did not encounter the usual U-shaped ruts caused by bicycle tires. The western part of the trail is smoother and less rugged. The eastern was very rugged in spots.

On our way back to camp we were walking along the road when a turkey ran out in front of us. That pepped me up for the last bit of walking.

Prospect's Signature Visited March 23-24, 2011

Eisenhower State Park

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Eisenhower State Park

Dual Use Trail

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This portion of the trail system can also be used by bicyclists. We did not encounter the difficult-to-walk U-shaped ruts caused by frequent bicycle usage. The trails most ruggest spots are east of the Parking Lot we have mapped (see points tab).

Pedestrian Only Trail

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The pedestrian-only trail is heavily used. As a result there are many "exploratory" paths that will lead you the wrong way. Fortunately by this point we had met Dallas-area dogs Anna, Haley, and Elaine. Their human Nancy kept us from going the wrong way several times. Approaching 8 miles walked for the day, I was getting tired so we didn't walk this entire trail.

Eisenhower State Park

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Restrooms

This restroom house is convenient to hikers on the western half of the trail.

Path to Restrooms

Restrooms are a short walk from the trail.

Lost the Trail

If you hike the trail from west end to east as we did, you may have same difficulty we had picking the trail back up at this road crossing. At trail marker 11 we went straight across to a path that was worn similar as the trail but found it went nowhere behind campsite 167. Trail Marker 10 and the trail is a couple hundred feet up the road.

Lover's Leap

Lover's Leap offers a couple benches and great views across Lake Texoma.

Picnic Area

Steps to Fishing Pier

Mason steps lead down to the Fossil Ridge fishing pier.

Trail Parking

One of the several parking spots for visitors wanting to walk the trail. In the morning, we hiked the trail west of here and then returned to finish the eastern part in the afternoon.