Martin Dies Jr. State Park
Forest Trail Region
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park lies between the major routes of the El Camino Real de los Tejas and the Old Spanish Trail in the East Texas Pineywoods. The military's use of El Camino Real for communication and troop movements was vital for the effective governance of East Texas during Reconstruction. Buffalo Soldiers used these trails as they traveled between posts, escorted supplies, or moved through the region on official duty. Today, Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is a haven for water activities. It offers nearly 14 miles of paddling trails across sloughs, the lake, and the Neches River. The park also has over seven miles of hiking and biking trails and birding and wildlife viewing.