Summary
The park spans over 1,500 acres and is situated on the banks of Possum Kingdom Lake.
One of the main reasons to visit Possum Kingdom State Park is for its scenic beauty. The park is surrounded by rolling hills and features a variety of plant and animal life. Visitors can enjoy hiking, biking, and birdwatching along the park's many trails.
The park also offers a range of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, and swimming. Possum Kingdom Lake is known for its clear waters and abundant fish, making it a popular spot for anglers.
There are several points of interest to explore within the park, including Hell's Gate, a natural rock formation that is popular among boaters and cliff jumpers. The park also features a historic rock chapel, which was built in the 1940s and offers stunning views of the lake.
Interesting facts about Possum Kingdom State Park include the fact that it was named after the nearby town of Possum Kingdom, which in turn was named after a Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. Additionally, the park was used as a filming location for the 1997 horror movie "The Killer Eye."
The best time of year to visit Possum Kingdom State Park is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild and the park's natural beauty is at its peak. However, the park is open year-round and offers plenty of activities and events throughout the year.
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Possum Kingdom State Park
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Breezy Point
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Jack D. Furst Staff Center
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Echo Valley
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Hooten Hollow
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Crows Point
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