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 nearly 5,000 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 camping available at Camp Tyler and 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 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 75 acres of pine, oak, and redbud forest, it features a spring-fed lake with white-sand beaches, two resort-style pools, bungalow cabins, a winery, 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, Arp's community parks offer covered pavilions, picnic tables, playgrounds, a walking path, and outdoor workout stations — everyday green space for families and a place to stay active. 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.
Highlights
- Drive the backroads south of town through cattle country — windows down, no destination
- Attend a Friday night football game at Arp High School in the fall
- Fish the farm ponds and small creeks scattered through the surrounding countryside
- Hit the Arp Community Center for local potlucks, fundraisers, and holiday gatherings
- Take a day trip to Tyler State Park for hiking and lake swimming — about 30 minutes away
- Browse the Canton First Monday Trade Days flea market, roughly 45 minutes west
- Pick seasonal produce from nearby farms and roadside stands in summer
- Explore rural heritage sites and old homesteads dotted through the area
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 and winery. The town has community parks with walking trails, and 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 75 acres of piney woods, featuring a spring-fed lake with white-sand beaches, resort-style pools, bungalow cabins, a winery, 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 nearly 5,000 surface acres, lie just west of Arp. They're popular for boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, and camping at Camp Tyler, 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.
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