Tyler State Park

Though I’ve visited many Texas State Parks for photography, this visit to Tyler State Park was my first, and it certainly won’t be my last. The park’s beauty, especially its spring-fed lake surrounded by piney woods and gentle elevation changes, was breathtaking. As I explored its quiet trails and beautiful shoreline, I couldn’t help but feel I had wandered into something ancient—perhaps even a glimpse of Eden, hidden in East Texas.

A Gorgeous Day to Hit the Trails

The weather couldn’t have been better—sunny skies with temperatures in the low 70s. Nature was fully awake, and the grass and trees were green and vibrant.

The park offers several trails, and I decided to hike the Lakeshore Trail, a little over two miles long. I figured this would give me the best opportunity to capture some great photos. Starting at the Northside day-use area, my journey began.

The Trail Experience

The first part of the trail took me past the swimming area, which was packed with families enjoying the perfect Saturday weather. The only drawback at this point was the dam on the west side of the lake, which was somewhat unsightly. However, my opinion of it would soon change.

As I continued northward along the trail, I passed by the park’s small general store, and I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic as I noticed the canoes, paddle boats, and small boats available for rent. The atmosphere reminded me of childhood summer camps—families laughing, having fun, and making memories in such a peaceful setting.

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A little farther along, just past the boathouse, I came across an unusual flower I had never seen before. It was a Mimosa nuttallii, or Nuttall’s sensitive-briar. Luckily I did not touch it, as I later learned that it could be painful to handle as its seed pods are covered in dense prickles. I was mesmerized by its beauty.

As I approached the northern end of the lake, I found what seemed like an ideal fishing spot or a place to soak in the atmosphere: a tiny island with benches, offering a perfect view of the surrounding scenery. It was a location that seemed straight out of a dream—serene and tranquil. My spirits were high as I continued on.

Wildlife Encounters

As the trail curved southward, I passed through some of the park’s many campgrounds. From what I could tell, these were the best campsites, right by the lake, offering a prime spot to relax and enjoy the view. Halfway through, I saw a raccoon rummaging through an unattended campsite. It poked at the tent and investigated the picnic table. Luckily, the campers had secured their food well, so the raccoon didn’t find anything to snack on. According to a camper, seeing raccoons at night is practically guaranteed, it’s not a question of “if” but of “how many”.

The Dam and Springtime Wonders

I soon arrived at the dam, and this is when the day truly became unforgettable. It was springtime in Texas, and wildflowers and butterflies were everywhere. Though the dam could be crossed in just a few minutes, I found myself spending over half an hour in this location, snapping photo after photo of the beauty before me. I managed to capture images of an American Lady Butterfly, a Gray Hairstreak Butterfly, a Mourning Cloak Butterfly, a Calico Pennant Dragonfly, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Daisy Fleabane flowers, and Indian Blanket flowers.

I also stumbled upon what appeared to be a blackberry, not on a bush but rather along the ground. I asked a passing hiker if she knew whether it was a blackberry, and though she wasn’t sure, we both agreed it resembled one. Later, I confirmed with the park staff that it was a dewberry—edible, though I didn’t know that at the time! It was as though the park’s wonders were unfolding one after another, each moment leading seamlessly to the next. I spent a bit more time at the dam, soaking in the view of people enjoying paddle boats, canoes, and swimming in the lake.

I am not shy when it comes to professing my faith in Jesus Christ as the son of God, and my savior. Little did I know that what lay ahead would be an experience beyond words –  so much so that I might have to resort to interpretive dance. 😁

God’s Timing At Work

I had just passed the Lighted Pier, where families were fishing, and was walking south along the trail when I encountered a woman sitting on the shore, deep in reflection. She had been the one I met earlier when trying to identify the berry. “You picked a great place to rest,” I said. She looked up, and we began talking, a conversation that would last longer than I expected.

She was searching for peace, a moment of refuge to reconnect. For me, as a photographer, my motivation has always been to capture the beauty in nature, to show others how deeply connected we all are to the world God has created for us. In nature, we find reminders of who we are, who we were meant to be—far removed from the constant distractions of work, the incessant beep of our phones, and the urban sprawl of houses and cars. Tyler State Park, with its beautiful landscapes, offered a perfect respite from all of that. Here, we could reconnect with God’s creation.

A Serene Encounter with Nature

As we spoke, a water snake appeared, swimming near the shore—no more than ten feet away. It was a diamondback snake, a non-venomous species common in the area. We silently watched the diamondback glide through the water, its unhurried movement mirroring the tranquility of the day. Over the next half-hour, another appeared, adding to the park’s rhythm.

She spoke about her childhood in Antigua, in the Caribbean, filling our conversation with fascinating stories.

As we continued our conversation along the lake trail, our pace was unhurried, allowing us to pause whenever something caught our attention—whether it was an intriguing detail in the landscape or a thought that deserved a little extra reflection. It was in this slowness that I noticed a turtle perched on the trunk of a large downed tree, stretching nearly 30 feet from the shore into the water. Had we been moving more briskly, it might have gone entirely unnoticed. My new friend lit up at the sight of it, she loves turtles. Without hesitation, she approached the trunk, eager to get closer to this beautiful creature.

It was a large tree, the kind that stretched far enough over the water to walk on like a natural pier. She climbed on, as if she meant to stroll right out across it. I had a similar thought —but that ended with an unexpected swim. Today, I decided to play it safe.

The Wonders of the Day Unfold

We continued on, and I told her how amazing the day had already been for me. I’d probably taken over 50 images just by the dam itself. “If only I could see a snake in the open,” I mused aloud. It couldn’t have been more than ten steps later when a good-sized diamondback appeared, resting in the water, perfectly still and lit by the sun. “Ask and it will be given,” I said, half in awe of the moment. It felt surreal, like something larger than life was at play.

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A Storm’s Legacy

As we continued our hike, she confided in me—quietly, almost as if unsure whether to say it aloud—that someone she knew had died. I don’t know for certain, but I think it was a big reason she was here. I asked her when, and she said, “Yesterday.” I offered my condolences, gently, not prying.

Not long after, we came upon a large fallen pine tree—its roots twisted and exposed, the trunk sprawled across the trail. She paused in front of it, almost transfixed. It felt, maybe, like a symbol of the person she had just lost.

Recent rain had made parts of the trail muddy, and we had to navigate around pools of water. Hikers in this area were scarce. As we continued, we realized that tree wasn’t alone—many others had fallen in this low-lying stretch. The damage was widespread, and we were left curious as to the cause.

At that moment, we encountered two men coming from the opposite direction. They stopped by one of the fallen trees, and I couldn’t help but ask them if they knew what had happened. “There was a storm not too long ago,” they explained, “Straight-line winds came through, knocking these trees down.”

As we continued along the trail, I turned to my hiking companion and said, “Knock, and it shall be answered.” We had asked a question, and the answer came to us without delay. These two strangers, coming from the direction we were heading, where there were no hikers, just so happened to know exactly what had caused the damage to the trees. It was another surreal moment.

The Excellent Scene

We continued, knowing that we’d soon need to turn back due to the bridge ahead being out. As we neared the bridge, we were greeted by an isolated piece of dead tree sitting in the lake, with turtles using it to sunbathe. It was an idyllic scene, and for me, the first time I captured an image of turtles that I felt worthy of printing. The picture was perfect—turtles basking on the trunk, their stillness against the rippling water. And for her, having passed through pools of water, soft mud, and the hush of fallen trees, the end of the trail was exactly what she loved—turtles, resting in a picture-perfect setting, a quiet moment waiting for her to arrive.

A Journey of Reflection

As we began our return journey, we made our way back to the spot where we had first started our conversation. She had parked in the Southside day-use area, while I had parked on the Northside. Though we’d only walked together for about a mile and a half, the time we spent in reflection and conversation took us many hours. It was in that leisurely pace, unhurried and fully engaged with nature, that we saw things we might have missed if we’d been rushing.

Stepping Into the Unseen

As we parted ways, I continued my hike back to the Northside lot. And it was then, walking through the park, that I felt as if I had truly been shown Eden. The weather was perfect and the spring beauty was unparalleled. The intimacy of the lake was breathtaking. The day’s story had a man and a woman, fruit and serpents, and it felt as if God walked among us, where my questions were answered, and where wishes—like finding the snake—were immediately fulfilled.

A Day to Remember

For me, this was more than just a good day—it was a glimpse into something spiritual. From the images I captured to the conversation that turned into an unexpected friendship, from the butterflies and wildflowers to the serpents and stillness, Tyler State Park opened a door to something transcendent. I went in pursuit of photographs, but I left with something far more lasting—a quiet reminder that our Creator still meets us in the beauty of the world he made.

Unlike the Garden of Eden, which was closed off to man after eating the fruit, this garden—planted eastward in Texas—is still open. Still welcoming. Still whispering that the world is full of wonder, if only we’ll slow down enough to see it.

📍 Want to explore more of Tyler?
Check out our article Tyler, Texas – Where Roses Bloom and History Lingers for a deep dive into the city’s history, charming downtown, and hidden spots worth discovering.

Author: Tim Maxwell