Exploring the CCC Legacy at Daingerfield State Park

Some of my favorite Texas state parks are the ones that carry the history of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 during the Great Depression. The CCC was created to provide jobs and teach young men and veterans to work on conservation and park development projects across the US. Workers earned $30 a month, $25 of that sent back to their families. Today, many of the parks structures that they helped build are still standing, allowing visitors a chance to experience a piece of history. One of my favorite examples is Daingerfield State Park.

Daingerfield State Park is located in between Tyler and Texarkana, Texas. The park was built by two CCC companies, 2891 and 1801, between the years of 1935 to 1939. Still to this day you can see a lot of the things that the CCC built for the state park. Some of the things include the scenic road, Bass Lodge, trails, chairs, tables, benches, entry sign, and the lake being the largest thing they built at the park.

My favorite trail at Daingerfield State Park is the Rustling Leaves Trail. This is the trail that loops around Little Pine Lake. The best time to go on a hike on this trail is in the fall when the leaves are changing colors. You are in deep East Texas, you are surrounded by pine, sweetgum, oak, maples and elm trees everywhere you turn. Some of the trees that you will see on this hike were actually planted by the men who were a part of the CCC. The trail is roughly 2.4 miles long and will take you roughly 2 hours to complete the hike.

If you packed a lunch and you are out on the trail, I recommend stopping at the CCC picnic area and having lunch there. The picnic area is on a peninsula and has an amazing view of the almost the entire lake. Another amazing thing you will see on the trail is the bridge and the CCC dam on the trail. This is a great spot to look for turtles, birds, or wildlife, maybe even snap some pictures for your Instagram account as well.

I don’t want to give too much away about the park and all the cool things that they have to offer for you. If you want to plan a visit out to the park I suggest checking out their website and Facebook for upcoming events they might be having. "Cheers"