Things to Do in Arp, Texas
Arp is a small farming town, but it sits right next to one of the best recreation areas in Smith County and is home to a fast-rising resort destination. Between the broad waters of Lake Tyler, the luxe High Hill Farm getaway, local parks, and easy access to Tyler, there's more to do here than the town's size suggests.
Here's what to do in and around Arp.
Lake Tyler and the Outdoors
Just west of Arp lie Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East, twin reservoirs covering about 4,500 surface acres that serve as the recreational backyard for this part of Smith County. They're popular for boating, fishing, water skiing, and swimming, with plenty of shoreline to enjoy.
For anglers and boaters, the lakes are the main outdoor draw — close enough to Arp for an easy evening on the water or a full weekend of fishing. The surrounding Piney Woods countryside adds scenic drives and country roads for those who just want to get outside.
High Hill Farm
Arp's headline destination is High Hill Resort Community (formerly High Hill Farm), a resort and event property tucked into the piney woods that's been transformed into one of the most talked-about getaways in East Texas — sometimes described as the region's answer to a coastal resort town. Spread across about 175 acres of piney woods, it features a spring-fed lake with white-sand beaches, two resort-style pools, bungalow cabins, a vineyard, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant, and hiking trails.
The property also offers skeet shooting, biking, bonfires, and indoor and outdoor event spaces, making it a popular spot for weddings, family reunions, and weekend escapes. For a small farming town, having a destination resort like High Hill Farm right at hand is a real distinction.
Parks and Nearby Tyler
In town, the city-owned Herrington Community Center is available to rent for family gatherings and events. The town's small-town events and school activities round out local life.
And because Tyler is only about 18 miles northwest, Arp residents have quick access to the big-city attractions of East Texas's hub: the famous Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, the Caldwell Zoo, the Tyler Museum of Art, a planetarium, shopping, and dining. Between Lake Tyler, High Hill Farm, the local parks, and Tyler's attractions, Arp offers a well-rounded menu of things to do.
Concerts & Shows Near Arp
Listings from Ticketmaster, updated October 14, 2026. Tickets are sold by Ticketmaster; we don't check these dates ourselves, so confirm on the ticket page.
- Thu, Nov 19 · 7:30 PM Oak Ridge Boys · UT Tyler Cowan Center, Tyler · 16 mi · Country
- Sat, Nov 28 · 7:00 PM Eli Young Band · Red Rooster IceHouse, Hawkins · 32 mi · Country
FAQ: Things to Do in Arp
Arp sits near Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East for boating, fishing, and swimming, and is home to the High Hill Farm resort. Tyler's attractions — the Rose Garden, Caldwell Zoo, and more — are about 18 miles away.
High Hill Farm is a resort and event property in Arp set on about 175 acres of piney woods, featuring a spring-fed lake with white-sand beaches, resort-style pools, bungalow cabins, a vineyard, an upscale farm-to-table restaurant, and hiking trails. It's a popular spot for weddings, reunions, and weekend getaways.
Yes. Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East, covering about 4,500 surface acres, lie just west of Arp. They're popular for boating, fishing, water skiing, and swimming, serving as the main outdoor recreation area for the community.
Arp is about 18 miles southeast of Tyler, an easy drive to the city's attractions — the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, Caldwell Zoo, Tyler Museum of Art, planetarium, shopping, and dining. That access pairs nicely with Arp's small-town setting and nearby lakes.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Arp in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Things to Do in East Texas
What to do in East Texas, checked against official sources: Tyler's Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo, Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas State Railroad, state parks, museums and festivals.
Read Guide →East Texas Festivals and Annual Events
Season-by-season guide to East Texas festivals and events — Canton's First Monday Trade Days, the Texas Rose Festival, the Yamboree, Wonderland of Lights and more, checked against each host's own site.
Read Guide →Best Day Trips from Tyler and East Texas
Drive-time guide to day trips from Tyler: state parks, small towns, museums, and lakes within about 30 minutes, an hour, and up to three hours.
Read Guide →Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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