Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House
Tyler, Texas · on Tyler State Park Lake · Tyler State Park
Verified · 4 independent sources
- WATER
- lake
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $6 per adult
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House
Tyler State Park, a 985.5-acre Texas state park north of Tyler in Smith County, centers on a 64-acre spring-fed lake to swim in, with a designated day-use swimming area, sandy beach, and a Civilian Conservation Corps-era bathhouse still in service today. The park, built by the CCC between 1935 and 1941 and opened in 1939, sits in the Pineywoods, and its swimming hole is unsupervised, with boating, fishing, and hiking alongside.
The park lies at the western edge of the Pineywoods ecoregion near its border with the Post Oak Savannah, within the Sabine River basin. CCC crews dammed an unnamed creek fed by Beauchamp Springs to create the 64-acre lake, then replanted over 600 acres of native pine-hardwood forest (shortleaf and loblolly pine with mixed oaks) that today shades the lake with trees 75-100 years old.
Swimming at Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House
Swimming takes place in a designated, unsupervised day-use area of the lake, with a sandy beach and a floating dock offshore for sunbathing/lounging. The shoreline immediately around the swim area is described by the park as a steep, grassy slope, which can make entry a bit awkward compared to a groomed beach. No details on water clarity, depth markers, or a diving area were found.
How to get to this swimming hole
From Tyler, Texas: go two miles north of Interstate 20 on FM 14, then follow Park Road 16 to the park entrance at 789 Park Road 16, Tyler, TX 75706.
Parking: Designated day-use parking is available near the swim area/bathhouse; the accessibility page notes ADA-designated parking with paved sidewalks leading to the bathhouse.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is needed to reach the water. The swim area/bathhouse sits adjacent to designated day-use parking, reachable via a short, paved/sidewalk walk from the lot per TPWD's accessibility page.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Sandy beach and a floating dock make the swim area kid-friendly in principle, but TPWD's own accessibility page notes the shoreline right at the swim area is a steep, grassy slope that can be awkward to navigate, and per Wikipedia the lake swimming area is unsupervised (no lifeguard on duty), so close adult supervision is warranted.
Parking
Paid, $6 per adult (13+) daily park entrance fee; 12 and under free
Designated day-use parking is provided near the swim area/bathhouse, including ADA-designated accessible parking with paved sidewalks leading to the bathhouse. The $6 charge is the park's general entrance fee (a $70/year Texas State Parks Pass waives it); no separate parking-only fee was found.
Restrooms
Yes
CCC-era bathhouse sits in the day-use swimming area with restrooms and showers; the accessibility page describes ADA-accessible shower stalls with bars, a fold-down seat, and a hand-held shower head at this bathhouse.
Hours
Park grounds open daily. Headquarters/entrance staffed 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (extended seasonal hours available by calling the park). The Silver Canoe Park Store, which handles boat/kayak/canoe/paddleboard rentals, operates Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday/Wednesday).
On the water
Restrictions: TPWD's park page states motorized boats are permitted on the lake but all watercraft are limited to a 5 mph speed limit (effectively a no-wake rule). Rental pedal boats are limited to one-hour rentals and fishing is prohibited from them; fishing is allowed from rental canoes/kayaks/rowboats/paddleboards.
Personal (non-rental) watercraft appear permitted under the same 5 mph cap, though no explicit personal-watercraft policy page was found; jet skis are not mentioned and would be impractical under a 5 mph limit.
Rentals nearby
Pedal boats, canoes, single/double kayaks, 3- or 4-person rowboats, and stand-up paddleboards; life jackets and paddles included
Prices: $20 first hour, $10 each additional hour, $70 full day/overnight, $100 for 24 hours, $150 for 48 hours
On-site at Tyler State Park, at the lake used by this swim area; phone (903) 592-6790 · Thursday-Monday (closed Tuesday/Wednesday); first-come, first-served, no reservations
Backstory
The land was sold to the State of Texas by private owners in 1934-1935 during the Great Depression. Civilian Conservation Corps Company 2888 built the park and its lake between 1935 and 1941, including the bathhouse that remains in use today. The park officially opened in 1939.
Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House: FAQ
Does Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House charge a fee?
$6 per adult (13+) daily entrance fee; children 12 and under free; school-sponsored groups can arrange visits by calling the park. A $70/year Texas State Parks Pass covers unlimited entry to this and 80+ other state parks.
Is Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House kid friendly?
Sandy beach and a floating dock make the swim area kid-friendly in principle, but TPWD's own accessibility page notes the shoreline right at the swim area is a steep, grassy slope that can be awkward to navigate, and per Wikipedia the lake swimming area is unsupervised (no lifeguard on duty), so close adult supervision is warranted.
Do I need to hike to reach Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House?
Designated day-use parking is provided near the swim area/bathhouse, including ADA-designated accessible parking with paved sidewalks leading to the bathhouse. The $6 charge is the park's general entrance fee (a $70/year Texas State Parks Pass waives it); no separate parking-only fee was found.
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House?
Personal (non-rental) watercraft appear permitted under the same 5 mph cap, though no explicit personal-watercraft policy page was found; jet skis are not mentioned and would be impractical under a 5 mph limit.
When is the best time to visit Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House?
Park is open daily year-round; busiest season is March through Thanksgiving. Boat rentals and the park store run daily Memorial Day to Labor Day and Thursday-Monday the rest of the year, suggesting summer (Memorial Day-Labor Day) as peak swim season.
What are the rules at Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House?
The lake swimming area is unsupervised (no lifeguard), per Wikipedia's park summary. General Texas State Park rules apply park-wide: no public alcohol consumption/display, pets must be leashed (6 ft max) and are barred from buildings including the bathhouse, quiet hours 10 p.m.-6 a.m., and campfires only in designated rings. The park's official page directs visitors to review general swimming safety tips before entering the water.
What water body is Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House on?
Tyler State Park Swim Area Bath House is on Tyler State Park Lake, a natural lake verified in USGS hydrography data.
