Atlanta State Park

{{short description|State park in Texas, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox protected area | name = Atlanta State Park | iucn_category = | image = Day Use Area Atlanta State Park Texas 2023.jpg | image_caption = A day use area in Atlanta State Park | image_alt = | map = USA Texas#USA |relief=1 | map_width = 240 | map_caption = | map_alt = A map of Texas showing the location of Atlanta State Park | location = Cass County, Texas, United States | nearest_city = Atlanta | coordinates = {{coord|33|13|55|N|94|14|58|W|notes=<ref>{{cite gnis|1329822|Atlanta State Park|January 7, 2013}}</ref>|display=inline, title}} | area = {{convert|1475|acre|adj=on}} | established = 1954 | visitation_num = 44,819 | visitation_year = 2025 | visitation_ref = <ref name="Park visitation">{{cite web |author=Christopher Adams |publisher= |url=https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/most-visited-texas-state-parks-2025// |title=What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown for 2025 |work= |website=KXAN.com |access-date=February 13, 2026}}</ref> | governing_body = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department | website = [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/atlanta Official site] }}

'''Atlanta State Park''' is a {{convert|1475|acre|adj=on}} densely forested state park in northern Cass County, Texas, United States ten miles northwest of Atlanta, Texas off Farm to Market Road 1154. The park opened in 1954. It is located on the south shore of Wright Patman Lake in and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.<ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta State Park: Overview |url=http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/atlanta |publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |access-date=January 7, 2013}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Horn |first1=Bobby Jr. |title=Atlanta State Park remains closed for holiday |url=https://archive.casscountynow.com/articles/2016/06/22/atlanta-state-park-remains-closed-holiday |website=CassCountyNow |date=June 22, 2016 |publisher=Cass County Sun and Atlanta Citizens Journal |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Atlanta State Park: Trails Information |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/atlanta/trails-info |publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |access-date=23 May 2023}}</ref>

==Nature== thumb|left|A northern cottonmouth

===Animals=== Visitors can see woodland birds like the pine warbler, pileated woodpecker, red-headed woodpecker and brown-headed nuthatch. There are also waterfowl such as American white pelican and double-crested cormorant. White-tailed deer, Mexican long-nosed armadillo, grey fox, eastern gray squirrel, northern cottonmouth eastern copperhead, and timber rattlesnake are some of the land animals in the park.<ref name="TPWD nature">{{cite web |title=Atlanta State Park: Nature |url=https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/atlanta/nature |publisher=Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |access-date=19 February 2026}}</ref>

thumb|Redring milkweed

===Plants=== Trees dominate the landscape of Atlanta State Park. Loblolly and shortleaf pine, white oak, black hickory, mockernut hickory, American sweetgum, eastern redbud and flowering dogwood grow in the park. American beautyberry, wild grape, farkleberry, redring milkweed and poison ivy are found in the understory.<ref name="TPWD nature"></ref>

==Activities== 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 {{convert|4.5|mi|adj=on}} of hiking trails.

==See also== *List of Texas state parks

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category|Atlanta State Park}} * [https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/atlanta Atlanta State Park]

Category:Protected areas of Cass County, Texas Category:State parks of Texas Category:1954 establishments in Texas Category:Protected areas established in 1954