The Outdoors in Bullard, Texas

Bullard's best outdoor asset is Lake Palestine, a large reservoir just to the west that draws boaters, anglers, and water-sports enthusiasts from across the region. Its sprawling waters and many coves are popular for fishing — bass, catfish, and crappie among them — as well as boating, skiing, and lakeside relaxation.

The lake's shoreline is dotted with marinas, lakeside homes, and access points, and it anchors much of the recreation around Bullard. For residents, a quick drive to the water for an evening of fishing or a weekend on a boat is one of the everyday pleasures of living here.

Bullard sits in classic East Texas terrain — rolling hills, pine and hardwood forest, and red-dirt countryside that's a pleasure to explore. Just northeast of town lies the Bullard Salt Dome, a geologic feature formed from Jurassic-era salt, and the surrounding land is a patchwork of farms, ranches, and woods.

That scenery is part of the appeal of the Kiepersol estate, whose sixty-plus acres of hand-planted vineyards roll across the countryside just outside town — a beautiful place for a tasting or a walk through the rows. For scenic drives, country roads, and the green calm of the Piney Woods, the area around Bullard delivers.

A drive of about 40 minutes southeast, past Jacksonville, brings you to the Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari, a 300-acre preserve where you can see exotic and endangered animals from your car — a memorable outdoor outing for families. Closer to home, Bullard's community parks offer playgrounds, picnic tables, and green space for everyday recreation.

And with Tyler about 20 minutes north, residents have easy access to bigger outdoor draws like the Tyler Rose Garden, Tyler State Park's pine-shaded lake and trails, and the many parks of a small city. Between Lake Palestine, the surrounding hills, the safari, and Tyler's parks, Bullard offers a full menu of ways to get outdoors.