Lake Murray State Park
Ardmore
580 223-4044
Website
Texas Outside Rating: 9.0

Type:  Camping - State Park

Map: Campsite Map

Texas Outside Favorite Sites: Cedar Cove site numbers 9, 10, 5, 7, 13, & 21 are all on the water and very nice sites

Brief Overview: 
Lake Murray State Park is a Texas Outside favorite because of the clear water, good coves for swimming/fishing/skiing, excellent water/electricity sites right on the water, and lots of things to do within the Park. The Lake and State Park were built by the Civilian Conservation and Works Progress Administration and completed in 1937. It remains the ??State's largest park at over 12,496 acres and the lake has over 150 miles of shoreline and very clear blue water. Read the review of Lake Murray.

Water and electricity sites are available in Cedar Cove, Tipps Point, Buzzards Roost, Marietta Landing, and Martins Landing. There are some great sites on the water and most of the sites are clean, spacious, level, and have tables, grills, and a fire pit.

Each of the camping areas include boat ramps (some are pretty narrow, so be careful), dump stations, restrooms and showers. Some include a fishing pier, paved nature trail, hiking/biking trails, playground equipment, and a swimming beach.

The Lodge at the State Park has 80 rooms and plenty to offer including: tennis, volleyball, horseshoes, a restaurant, recreation room, 9 hole disc golf course, swimming pool, miniature golf, boat rentals, basketball court, and more. There are also 81 cabins, some of which are within 100 yards of the water, for rent. The cabins are not luxurious but practical and good for family fun.

There are some very cool Bed & Berth Villas for rent that sleep 8 to 12 people. These 2 bedroom villas are floating in the water on a small and pretty cove - check them out and find enough people to rent all three of them.

Amenities and Fun Things To Do:
If you don't have a boat, at one of the marinas you can rent pontoon boats (don't get your hopes up - these boats are not in the best of condition and you could be embarrassed if your neighbors see you cruising the lake in them, but you'll be on the water enjoying the lake).

The park has a very fun and somewhat challenging 18-hole golf course which Texas Outside rates a 6.7 - see our rating and reviewof the course.

The road around the park is good for moderately strenuous road riding.

If you have an ATV or motorcycle, visit the North West Park of the park.

Stop by the stables in the park and go horseback riding.

Pack up your athletic shoes and head over to the lodge for some tennis, volleyball, basketball, disc golf, tetherball, and more.

A Typical Texas Outsider Day:

Start the day with a good hike or mountain bike ride on one of the trails. Our favorite is the trail that starts at Tipps point and winds thru the trees and along the lake to the lodge. This bike ride is very fun, has a couple difficult spots, and is not very strenuous (2.5 out of 5).

After a good bike ride, take the boat out and hike up to the top of Tucker Tower. Take in the history as you ascend and at the top you'll have a great view of the lake. Bring a camera and $.50 per person to get in - well worth the price of admission. After that find a cove for swimming, fishing, or skiing near Tucker Tower or down by the spillway.

On the way back to your campsite, stop by the Lodge and let the kids enjoy all the amenities while you play volleyball, tennis, or disc golf.

Before you leave, if you are a golfer, you have to play 18 at the Lake Murray State Park golf course.

Cool Nearby Activities:
Take a side trip to visit the Grater Southwest Historical Museum (Ardmore), Cedarvake Botanical Gardens (Davis), Chickasaw National Recreation Area (Sulphur), Tishomingo Wildlife Refuge (Tishomingo), or the Eliza Cruce Hall Doll Museum.

Lake Murray State Park
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