Lake Arrowhead State Park

Lake Arrowhead State Park is a state park located in Clay County, Texas, near Wichita Falls. The park is 524 acres (212 ha).^[2]

Lake Arrowhead State Park
Day use area of Lake Arrowhead State Park
Show map of Texas Show map of the United States
Location	Clay County, Texas
Nearest city	Wichita Falls, Texas
Coordinates	33°45′31″N 98°23′43″W
Area	524 acres (212 ha)
Created	1970
Operated by	Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Visitors	63,636 (in 2022)[1]

History

Lake Arrowhead was built as a water source for the city of Wichita Falls and the surrounding area. The surrounding state park land was purchased from the city in 1970, and the park opened the same year.^[2]

Nature

The land of Lake Arrowhead State Park was once part of a vast prairie of central North America. Agriculture changed the character of the land. Honey mesquite seeds were brought from South Texas with the cattle drives, and the mesquite savanna has taken over the grasslands of the park.^[3] The park has an ongoing prairie restoration project that includes controlled burns.

Animals

White-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, striped skunk, nine-banded armadillo and North American beaver are seen in the park. Monarch butterflies pass through during migration in spring and fall. Birds documented in the park include painted buntings, bald eagles, osprey, eastern bluebirds, belted kingfishers, American white pelicans, great egrets, scissor-tailed flycatchers, great horned owls, screech owls, barn owls and barred owls.

Fauna

The dominant tree in the park is honey mesquite. Other tree species include cottonwood, hackberry and wild plum.^[4] Some plants in the park are Texas bluebonnet, Indian blanket, Texas Indian paintbrush, Maximilian sunflower, Texas blazing star, pink evening primrose, snow-on-the-mountain and milkweed.

Recreation

The park offers ranger-led educational programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, nature study, hiking, wildlife observation, horseback riding, camping, and disc golf. There are tent and RV campsites, as well as a pavilion and about 5 miles (8.0 km) of hiking trails.^[5]

See also

• List of Texas state parks