The Outdoors in Paris, Texas
Paris sits in the rolling country of the Red River Valley, where the East Texas Piney Woods give way to blackland prairie near the Oklahoma line. The outdoors here is built around a good fishing lake, a long rail-trail, and the migratory birds of the river bottoms. With Oklahoma's lakes and forests just across the river, there's a lot of ground within an easy drive.
Here's how to get outside in and around Paris.
Pat Mayse Lake
Pat Mayse Lake, about a dozen miles north of Paris toward the Red River and the Oklahoma border, is the area's main reservoir. This U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake of roughly 5,900 acres is well regarded for fishing — largemouth and white bass, crappie, and catfish — and offers boat ramps, campgrounds, swimming areas, and parks along its shoreline. It's the go-to spot for anglers, boaters, and campers in Lamar County.
Closer to town, Lake Crook is a smaller lake and park that's handy for a quick fishing trip or a walk. Together they give Paris residents easy access to the water without a long drive.
The Northeast Texas Trail
One of Paris's best outdoor assets is the Northeast Texas Trail, a rails-to-trails path that, at around 130 miles, ranks among the longest hike-and-bike trails in Texas. It runs across the region from Farmersville to New Boston, and Paris sits right on the route — the local Trail de Paris segment is a popular, accessible stretch for walking, running, and cycling.
The trail follows old railroad grades through small towns, farmland, and woods, offering a flat, scenic way to get outside. It's a long-term project still being developed in places, but the Paris-area sections are well used and a point of local pride.
Birds, Rivers, and Oklahoma Nearby
The Red River bottoms make the Paris area a notable spot for waterfowl and birdwatching. The Gambill Wildlife Refuge, near Lake Crook north of town, is a longtime refuge for wild geese and other birds, where visitors can see migratory waterfowl up close in the cooler months. Hunting — especially for waterfowl and deer — is a big part of the regional outdoor calendar.
Paris's location near the state line is an advantage for outdoors lovers. Across the Red River, the lakes and forests of Southeast Oklahoma's Kiamichi Country, including Hugo Lake and the famous Beavers Bend State Park, are within an easy drive for fishing, hiking, and cabin getaways. For a city its size, Paris is well placed for a weekend outside.
FAQ: Outdoors in Paris
Pat Mayse Lake, about a dozen miles north of Paris, is the main reservoir — a roughly 5,900-acre Corps of Engineers lake known for bass, crappie, and catfish fishing, plus boating and camping. The smaller Lake Crook is closer to town.
Yes. Pat Mayse Lake is a well-regarded fishing lake for largemouth and white bass, crappie, and catfish. The Red River and Lake Crook add more options, and Oklahoma's Hugo Lake is a short drive north across the river.
The Northeast Texas Trail is a rails-to-trails path of about 130 miles — one of the longest hike-and-bike trails in Texas — running from Farmersville to New Boston. Paris sits on the route, and the local Trail de Paris segment is popular for walking and biking.
Yes. The Gambill Wildlife Refuge near Lake Crook, north of Paris, is a longtime refuge for wild geese and migratory waterfowl, where visitors can see the birds up close, especially in the cooler months.
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