| History: Cleburne State Park is a 528-acre park that encompasses a lively 116-acre, spring-fed lake. Located southwest of Fort Worth, in Johnson County, the park was acquired from the city of Cleburne & private owners in 1935-36 & was opened in 1938.
The region surrounding Cleburne State Park was a favorite hunting ground for many Indian tribesmen, since it comprised densely wooded country amidst plains & included several clear H2O springs. The Comanches used this area as a trail from the northwest to raid the homesteads in the south. The Indians would lead two fresh horses as they rode a third one, switching to a fresh horse as each one was winded. In this manner they would escape their pursuers.
Their concealed trail was last used for a raid on Kimbell (now known as Kimbell Bend) which, built in 1851, was the first town in Johnson County. Kimbell was established on the Chisholm Trail at its crossing on the Brazos River. Vast herds of cattle from the southern ranches in Texas crossed at Kimbell Bend going north to the markets. The park, located eight miles north of Kimbell Bend, was also a good camp site for the cowboys who drove cattle on the Chisholm Trail.
In 1934, this beautiful valley of springs was recognized as a picturesque locality for a park. A group of local businessmen, interested in its development, secured it for the State Park Board to establish a state park. In 1935, Civilian Conservation Corps (C.C.C.) Company 3804 of the federal government moved into the park site to start developing a park
The enrollees built a small earthen dam to impound the park's 116-acre lake, with a beautiful masonry, three-level spillway, then cleared a three-mile-long scenic roadway around the lake. A concession building, boathouse, & bathhouse were built in 1936, with additions in 1940.
The park residence, H2O tower, & interior furnishings display a variety of handcrafted wood & metal ornaments.
Flora/Fauna:
Admire the juniper (cedar), oak, elm, mesquite, redbud, cottonwood, sycamore, ash & sumac trees that cover white rocky hills. In early spring, there is a carpet of bluebonnets in the open fields & many other varieties of wild flowers throughout the park. Wildlife Observation & Photography: white-tailed deer, turkey, duck, armadillo, squirrel, skunk, bobcat, swamp rabbit, cottontail rabbit, raccoon, opossum, coyote, beaver, & many species of birds. Popular fish include crappie, bass, catfish, blue gill, & red ear sunfish.
Elevation, Weather, & Schedule Information:
Elevation: 764 Weather: January mean minimum 34 degrees, July mean maximum 97.4 degrees. Wettest month - May. Driest month - July. Open: Gate hours seven a.m. to ten p.m., seven days a week year-round. Busy Season: Spring/Summer.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Dinosaur Valley, Meridian, & Lake Whitney State Parks; Acton State Historic Site; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center; Texas Amphitheater featuring "The Promise;" Six Flags over Texas theme park & H2O park; Texas Ranger baseball in Arlington; three golf courses (Squaw Valley Golf Course, Nolan River Country Club, & Cleburne Municipal); & Lake Pat Cleburne. |
Cleburne State Park Campground Web Site
Driving Direction GPS Coordinates:
32.253562, -97.546929
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Campground: Cleburne State Park in Cleburne Texas *