Big Spring State Park
Rate this placeNearby: Abc Park Birdwell Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Big Spring State Park is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts in the state of Texas.
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Summary
It is located in Howard County and covers over 382 acres of land. The park is known for its scenic beauty, natural springs, hiking trails, and camping facilities.
One of the main attractions of Big Spring State Park is the spring-fed swimming pool, which is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating in the nearby spring-fed lake. There are several hiking trails in the park, including the 1.5-mile CCC Trail, which takes visitors through an area that was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
The park also has several picnic areas with tables and grills, making it a great spot for a family outing. Additionally, visitors can explore the historic spring house, which was built in the 1930s and is still in use today.
Interesting facts about Big Spring State Park include that it was once a stop on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route and was also used as a training ground for soldiers during World War II. The park was established in 1936 and is now managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
The best time to visit Big Spring State Park is in the spring or fall when temperatures are mild and the wildflowers are in bloom. However, the park is open year-round and offers activities for visitors during all seasons.
Overall, Big Spring State Park is a great destination for anyone looking to enjoy the natural beauty of Texas. With its scenic trails, historic sites, and recreational activities, it offers something for everyone.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References
Abc Park
Birdwell Park
Bert Andries City Park