Atlanta State Park

Atlanta State Park is a 1475 acre state park in northeast Texas in the United States that opened in 1954. It is located on Wright Patman Lake in northern Cass County and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Location
Atlanta State Park is on the south shore of Wright Patman Lake, about 11 mi northwest of Atlanta, Texas. This is about 18 mi southwest of Texarkana, Texas. The entrance to the park is off Farm to Market Road 1154.

History
In past centuries, the Caddo Indians settled in this area and worked the land as farmers. Many pioneers traveled across the area to use the ferry that crossed the Sulphur River. The State of Texas acquired the land for Atlanta State Park in 1954 under a long-term lease with the Department of the Army.

In spring 2016 Wright Patman Lake flooded the park and destroyed bathrooms and the amphitheatre. Texas Parks and Wildlife closed the park for more than two months. An old-growth pine forest was inundated with ten feet of water that killed many of the trees. Reforestation efforts are in progress with trees that can better tolerate flooding.

Animals
Visitors can see woodland birds like the brown-headed nuthatches, eastern wild turkeys, bald eagles and pine warblers. There are also waterfowl such as buffleheads, ruddy ducks, American white pelicans and double-crested cormorants. Armadillo, grey fox, rabbit, fox squirrel, northern cottonmouth and timber rattlesnake are some of the land animals in the park.



Flora
Trees dominate the landscape of Atlanta State Park. Loblolly and shortleaf pine, white oak, black hickory, mockernut hickory, sweet gum, eastern redbud and dogwood grow in the park. American beautyberry, wild grape, farkleberry, redring milkweed and poison ivy are found in the understory.

Recreation
Atlanta State Park provides access to Wright Patman Lake for boating and fishing, and has a sandy beach area for swimming. Picnic and overnight camping areas are available. The park has 4.5 mi of hiking trails.