Recreation

Lake Palestine

Lake Palestine, located 30 minutes from downtown, is a 25,600 acre East Texas landmark, where people come from across the region to fish, boat, swim, ski and relax. The 18 mile lake, with its 135 miles of shoreline, is a place for adventure and solace.  This is a beautiful place to live or play. 

Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area

This nearly 11,000-acre area, purchased in the Fifties using Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration funds under the Pittman-Robertson Act, is open year round for hunting, hiking, camping, bird watching, and gazing at the stars.

Reagan Park

Established in 1911, this tract of land known as Micheaux Woods has a Splash Pad for the kids and a Museum for East Texas Culture for all ages. A True sense of community shines through this park as many of the its amenities have been made possible through local fundraising initiatives. The historic park was named for John H. Reagan, a Palestine resident pioneer and Postmaster General of the Confederacy and U.S. Senator.

Wolf Creek Lake

This scenic park tucked away in the Palestine Community Forest offers a perfect setting for hiking, fishing and picnicking.

Grapeland Safari

Make the drive to Grapeland and you will see a wide range of animals from all over the world from the comfort of your car! Drive through the 59 acre park that includes pony rides, train rides, a petting zoo and a gift shop with unique souvenirs and refreshments.

YMCA Alex Patel Soccer Complex

Opened on February 25, 2017, this state-of-the-art complex has 12 lighted fields ranging from U4 to U16. YMCA Youth Soccer League games are held here.  Phase I completed seven tournament ready soccer fields, with another seven planned.

Dogwood Trails

200-plus acres of wooded rolling hills and winding roads. The 200 acre park is open year-round and has five miles of hard surface roads, unincorporated hiking trails and scenic views.  Don’t miss the Dogwoods blooming the last two weekends in March and first weekend of April and the fall foliage during November.

The Palestine Art Tracks Sculpture Exhibit

The Palestine Art Tracks Sculpture Exhibit is a juried outdoor sculpture exhibit with each piece on loan for one year and rotated every October.

The 1836 Chuckwagon Race

The 1836 Chuckwagon Race takes place each Spring at the Diamond B Ranch in nearby Neches and includes such things as trail rides, Dutch oven cook'n classes, cowboy poetry, herd dog demonstrations, hoof care clinics, bull whip demonstrations, horse auction, wagon race Calcutta, barn dances, live music, cowboy church and much more!

Dogwood Trails Celebration

For more than 75 years, this celebration has been taking place the last two weekends in March and first weekend in April to celebrate and enjoy the delicate beauty of the dogwood trees in Davey Dogwood Park and the surrounding area. 

El Camino

A challenging 205 mile gravel grinder bicycle ride through the Piney Woods of East Texas taking place the first weekend in October. 

Neches River Wilderness Race

For more than twenty years, water enthusiasts from across the nation and the world have gathered in Palestine the first weekend in August to participate in “The Toughest Little Race in Texas.” The canoe race covers 22 miles of scenic, largely uninhabited Neches River.  

The Big Woods on the Trinity

A 7,500 acre fair chase Texas trophy buck, wild boar, and flooded timber mallard hunting paradise just 90 minutes south of Dallas.

Davey Dogwood Park

The 200 acre park is open year-round and has five miles of hard surface roads, unincorporated hiking and biking trails and scenic views that are especially nice during the Dogwoods blooming season in the spring and the fall foliage during November.  

Fairchild State Forest

Eleven miles of trails at the 2,360-acre I.D. Fairchild State Forest offer hikers the opportunity to view  the value of diverse logging methods and search for a sighting of a small population of endangered red-cockaded woodpeckers.

Garzilla Guide Service

Specializing in trophy gar fishing and rod and reel, the Garzilla Guide Service has been featured on the Animal Planet, History Channel, Discovery Channel, National Geographic and much more.

Pine Dunes Resort & Golf Club

Awarded Golf Weekly’s #1 course in Texas and #26 in America for 2011, it is open year-round and located in Frankston, 23 miles from Palestine.

Elkhart Golf Club

An 18-hole golf course located about twelve miles south of Palestine in Elkhart. 

Wildcat Golf Course

A 9-hole, multi-tee layout with driving range. Wildcat Golf Course is located off the loop in Palestine.

Hunting Land – Gus Engling Wildlife Management Area

Located in Northwest Anderson county, this 10,958-acre area was purchased from 1950-1960 and is open year-round for public hunting, hiking, camping, bird watching and a host of other outdoor recreational opportunities.

Palestine Community Forest

Contains 700 acres of pine and hardwood trees offering scenic drives leading to lakes with fishing and picnicking. Sumac, yaupon and sweetgum tress add accents of brilliant color during autumn. 

River Run Park

Guests enjoy playing on over 2,000 acres of private land at River Run ATV Park,  located on the beautiful Neches River, between Palestine and Jacksonville. 

Splash Pad at Reagan Park

This water enhanced railroad themed playground features state of the art spray pads and an elaborate series of sprinklers, fountains and water jets for children.

Historic Walking and Driving Tours

Print and on-line guides are available at the Palestine Visitor Center for a drive through historic neighborhoods, downtown walking tours highlighting architecture, art, unique shopping and dining, or drives through the country side featuring lakes, parks, and community forests.

Birding in Anderson County

There are numerous public sites in Anderson County for birding including the Gus Engling Wildlife Management Area located in nearby Tennessee Colony.

Ivy Payne Wildlife Refuge Weekend

During the annual Dogwood Trails Celebration, nature lovers are encouraged to camp, take photos, tour the lush and wooded landscape and visit with new acquaintances at the 480 acre natural area located close to nearby Elkhart.