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Lake O’ the Pines, Texas, USA

Also known as:  Ferrell's Bridge Reservoir-historic

For many people in the Texas Piney Woods region, ‘let’s go to the lake!’ means Lake O’ The Pines. This extraordinary reservoir was built primarily for flood control and water supply, but recreation quickly claimed a spot near the front of the line. Over 70 miles of shoreline, including several arms, coves and incoming streams took the place of what had been formerly an ill-defined Big Cypress…
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    • All About Lake O' the Pines, TX

    Lake Locations: USA - US Southwest Region - Texas - Piney Woods Region, TX -

    For many people in the Texas Piney Woods region, ‘let’s go to the lake!’ means Lake O’ The Pines. This extraordinary reservoir was built primarily for flood control and water supply, but recreation quickly claimed a spot near the front of the line. Over 70 miles of shoreline, including several arms, coves and incoming streams took the place of what had been formerly an ill-defined Big Cypress Bayou. The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) planned from the beginning to incorporate several public parks, complete with boat ramps and campsites. Private interests quickly developed resorts and fishing camps above the high water mark. And local municipalities soon had plans for locally-operated parks and boat ramps. Indeed, going to the lake quickly became a favorite pastime for area residents and was soon discovered by vacationing visitors.

    Since Ferrell’s Bridge Dam was built in 1956, hundreds of thousands of people have arrived at the four USACE campgrounds in summer to enjoy a week or two of rest and relaxation. Thousands more have come to fish or spend a day swimming and picnicking at the Day Use areas. Retirees have sought out the seasonal RV camps near the lake to put down their winter roots in a more moderate climate. And boaters flock to the lake to enjoy the wide expanse of water for water skiing, tubing, sailing, windsurfing and pontooning.

    Three concession marinas and several commercial facilities associated with the resort camps make boating especially easy. The marinas allow boat launching for a nominal fee, rent boats and pontoons, and sell bait, boat gas and snacks. Repairs are performed and supplies sold. Some also offer RV hook-ups and lakeside motel rooms. The Longview Yacht Club has had facilities on the lake since 1978 and holds regattas and races over the long summer season. Boating can be challenging during periods of low water due to drought, and some areas of the lake hold a large number of stumps. It is wise to check daily water levels and ask questions about specific areas at any of the marinas.

    One needn’t be a boating fan to enjoy Lake O’ The Pines. Swimming beaches are available at Alley Creek, Brushy Creek, and Johnson Creek campgrounds, plus Shady Grove, Johnson Day Use and Lakeside Park. Annual passes can be purchased for access to all of the USACE-owned swimming beaches and boat ramps. Fishing is a big attraction at Lake O’ The Pines, too. The lake holds channel catfish, largemouth bass, blue catfish, crappie, spotted bass, white bass, flathead catfish, sunfish and chain pickerel. Brushy Creek Park and Johnson’s Creek Park have fishing platforms for shore fishing. Fish-attracting structures have been added in the main part of the lake and are clearly marked with buoys. Several bridges that were submerged when the reservoir was built continue to be hot-spots for crappies. The stump forests just below the surface are very often productive for anglers.

    Plenty of campsites are available for nearly all types of campers. Alley Creek offers both RV and tent sites, with an RV dump, rest rooms and showers, electric and water hook-ups, picnic tables, fire rings and playground. Brushy Creek Park has all of the above plus a fishing platform. Buckhorn Creek Park is a bit less crowded but offers campsites, two boat docks, playground and restrooms. Johnson’s Creek Park has everything the other parks hold plus picnic pavilions, volleyball court and amphitheater. Wise campers make reservations in advance to be sure of getting their favorite spots on busy holiday weekends. There is plenty of room for walking, and marked trails are to be constructed in the near future. Although the USACE holds an easement to 265 feet above sea level for flood containment purposes, visitors should not assume this is public land and must respect the private property of others.

    Big Cypress Bayou stretches 140 miles to the northwest from the dam. Not all of this area can be considered lake and not all is navigable. Instead, as with most bayous, the water surface gives way to swampy bottomland forests, small meadows filled with wildflowers, and tiny streams. This is fine natural habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds. The long arms of the lake also are perfect for exploring by kayak or canoe. Bald eagles, herons, pelicans, waterfowl and marsh birds can all be seen by the quiet paddler with a sharp eye. This environment also serves to produce a great deal of drinkable water for the communities of Lone Star, Daingerfield, Ore City, Hughes Springs, Jefferson, Avinger and Longview. Parts of this area are open to hunting in season.

    Lest one assume that life near Lake O’ The Pines is always quiet and laid-back, one need only look at the huge number of festivals and events that occur annually in this area of the Piney Woods. One of the biggest is Mardi Gras Upriver in Jefferson. Also in Jefferson, the Annual Pilgrimage Historical Homes Tour of Civil War-era homes and churches and Civil War re-enactments draw many visitors. Nearby Marshall has the annual Fireant Festival each October. The festival is less about the annoying little pests and more about music. Marshall proudly calls itself ‘The Birthplace of Boogie Woogie’. There are wildflower tours, concerts and celebrations for anything and everything in this corner of Texas.

    Lake O’ The Pines, the Fireant Festival, Mardi Gras Upriver and a million other things make this area of Texas a favorite among retirees and snowbirds. Luckily, the area is prepared for visitors, with lots of lodgings choices, from motels and hotels in the small cities and along the main highways to quaint inns, bed & breakfasts and private home rentals available both near Lake O’ The Pines and at other nearby lakes. Real estate is often available in the area, including overlooking Lake O’ The Pines. So bring the fishing rod, the sun screen and the paddles-there’s plenty of fun awaiting you at Lake O’ The Pines.

    Things to Do at Lake O’ the Pines

    These are some activities in the Lake O’ the Pines, TX area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Canoeing
    • Kayaking
    • Water Skiing
    • Tubing
    • Camping
    • Campground
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • Playground

    What Kind of Fish Are in Lake O’ the Pines?

    Lake O’ the Pines has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Blue Catfish
    • Catfish
    • Chain Pickerel
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Flathead Catfish
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Pickerel
    • Pike
    • Spotted Bass
    • Sunfish
    • White Bass
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    Find Places to Stay at Lake O’ the Pines

    If you’re considering a Lake O’ the Pines lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

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    More Sites to Book a Lake O’ the Pines Vacation

    Our interactive Lake O’ the Pines lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Lake O’ the Pines Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 18,680 acres

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 230 feet

    Maximum Depth: 50 feet

    Water Volume: 250,000 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1959

    Drainage Area: 850 sq. miles

    Lake O’ the Pines Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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