Lonesome Dove Park
Rate this placeNearby: Meadowmere Park Pickering Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Lonesome Dove Park is a 56-acre park located in the city of Southlake, Texas.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The park is named after the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove written by Larry McMurtry, who grew up in the nearby town of Archer City. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its beautiful natural surroundings, its many recreational activities, and its historical significance.
One of the main points of interest at Lonesome Dove Park is the historic Lonesome Dove Cemetery, which is the final resting place of several pioneers and early settlers of the area. Another highlight is the park's extensive trail system, which offers visitors the chance to hike, bike, and horseback ride through some of the most scenic areas of Texas.
Other notable features of Lonesome Dove Park include a fishing pond, a playground, picnic areas, and a pavilion that can be rented for special events. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species.
Interesting facts about Lonesome Dove Park include its connection to the famous novel, as well as its history as a working cattle ranch. The park is also known for its beautiful wildflowers and native grasses, which provide a haven for a variety of insects and other small creatures.
The best time of year to visit Lonesome Dove Park is in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers something for visitors to enjoy in every season. Overall, Lonesome Dove Park is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the natural beauty and rich history of Texas.
Weather Forecast
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
Meadowmere Park
Pickering Park
Southlake Park
Marshall Creek Park
McPherson Park