Fort Worth District
Lakes and Recreation Menu
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do the campsites cost?
Where can I get a Golden Age or Golden Access card?
Are ATV's allowed on US Army Corps of Engineers Property?
Can rifles be used to hunt with?
May hunting stands be placed on Corps property?
Is a permit required to hunt?
Can I use the Annual Day Use Pass at any Corps of Engineers
park?
Are there cabins for rent anywhere on the lake?
Can I use my golf cart at the parks?
How long am I allowed to stay in the campgrounds?
Where can I rent a boat or jet-ski?
How can my son or daughter volunteer for an Eagle Scout project or
Gold Award?
What is the record for the largest fish caught out of the
lake?
Where do I report illegal dumping on government property?
Do you have any group camping areas?
How do you reserve a Day Use Pavilion?
What is the policy on metal detectors?
Can I keep any arrowhead or other Indian artifact I find on Corps
property?
What do I do if I see someone or know of someone digging for
artifacts?
How much do the campsites cost?
Depending on the location of the campsite you choose, at Lake O' the Pines, they range from $18.00 for a tent site without electricity and $44.00 for a double site in the RV area with water and electricity
Where can I get a Golden Age or Golden Access card?
Unfortunately, the Corps of Engineers no longer issues either of these cards. There is a new program called the American the Beautiful Interagency Pass which replaces the Golden Age/Access Passport cards. The Golden Age Passport card is replaced with Senior Annual/Lifetime Passes. The Golden Age Access Passport card is replaced with the Access Pass. You can obtain the Senior Annual/Liftetime Passes at Buckhorn Creek Gatehouse open everyday except federal holidays 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. except Sundays 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.. The Access Pass must be obtained from the Lake O’ the Pines Project Office with proper verification paperwork. To order a pass online or for questions, call USGS at 1-888-275-8747 or go to USGS Store.
Are ATVs allowed on US Army Corps of Engineers Property?
Only in two of our Wildlife Management Areas by permit only. Please call lake office for more info at (903) 665-2336.
Can rifles be used to hunt with?
Yes, rifle hunting for deer or feral hogs is only authorized at hunting areas south of the dam, west of Cypress Creek and for hunting areas north of Highway 155. Hunting with a firearm within 600 feet, or archery equipment within 100 feet of a boundary line, developed parks, roads, fishing piers or platforms, outlet structures, emergency spillways, or other areas is prohibited unless otherwise stated or posted.
May hunting stands be placed on Corps property?
Yes, but tree stands are restricted to portable non-bark penetrating stands only. They are only to be left for periods of 72 consecutive hours or less and must be clearly marked with the owner’s name, address, telephone number, and date of placement.
Is a permit required to hunt?
No, there is no fee or permit issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers required to hunt. A valid Texas hunting license is required and enforced by the State of Texas.
Can I use the Annual Day Use Pass at any Corps of Engineers park?
The Annual Day Use Pass is accepted at any Corps of Engineers park that charges fees for day-use. The pass does not apply to parks that are exclusively campgrounds. The pass can be purchased at all day-use parks via the orange pay station at the entrance. Also available for purchase at Buckhorn Creek Campground daily 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (except Federal Holidays) and Sunday 12 p.m. – 6 p.m.. Credit/Debit card only.
Are there cabins for rent anywhere on the lake?
No.
Can I use my golf cart at the parks?
Golf carts are authorized by permit only for mobility impaired individuals with a disablity placard. For questions, please call the lake office at 903-665-2336.
How long am I allowed to stay in the campgrounds?
All campers can stay in the parks for an initial 14-day period. From March through October, campers can be given Corps-granted extensions up to 42 days. No extensions will be granted through the three major summer holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day weekends. From November through February, campers can be granted extensions up to 120 days. After the extension limits, campers are not allowed to camp at any park on the lake for 18 days before beginning their time again.
Where can I rent a boat or jet-ski?
Boats and Jet-Ski's can be rented at businesses located around Lake O' The Pines.
How can my son or daughter volunteer for an Eagle Scout project or Gold Award?
You can contact the lake Volunteer Coordinator to set up a meeting. Many Eagle Scout projects have been done in the past at Lake O’ the Pines and a ranger will assist your son or daughter in arranging a project.
What is the record for the largest fish caught out of the lake?
Please see the Texas Parks and Wildlife link in the Recreation-Fishing portion of the website for lake records.
Where do I report illegal dumping on government property?
You can call the Lake O’ the Pines Office at (903)665-3911 to report the violation. Dumping on US Army Corps of Engineers property is prohibited under Title 36, Part 327.9(b) Bringing garbage, trash, etc., onto project and carries a fine of at least $100.
Do you have any group camping areas?
Yes, there are two. One is located in the Johnson Creek area and the other is in the Alley Creek area. These are reserved through the national reservation system and at the campground attendant station. The costs for these are $150.00 per day which includes the first 6 campsites. There are an additional 6 campsites which can be utilized at an additional expense of $12.00 per site.
How do you reserved a Day Use Pavilion?
They can call the project office and give us the date they wish to use the pavilion and we will see if it is already reserved, if not we will reserve it for them and send them the paperwork to sign and return to the office along with the $50.00.fee.
What is the policy on metal detectors?
The use of metal detectors is permitted on designated beaches or other previously disturbed areas unless prohibited by the District Commander for reasons of protection or archaeological, historical, or paleontological resources. Please, contact the lake office at (903)665-3911 or email for more information.
Can I keep any arrowhead or other Indian artifact I find on Corps property?
No, it is a violation of Title 36 regulations and the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) to excavate, remove, damage, alter or deface any archaeological resource on government property. Any arrowhead found on the surface is government property. Removal of government property is a violation of Title 36, Part 327.14(a) Destruction, injury, defacement or removal of public property and carries a fine of at least $100. Any other artifact found on the surface or any artifact or arrowhead found by digging is protected under ARPA and is punishable by fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment not more than one year, or both. If the archaeological and restoration value exceeds $500, violation is punishable by fine of not more than $20,000 or not more than two years imprisonment, or both.
What do I do if I see someone or know of someone digging for artifacts?
Please report any instances of digging on Corps property to the lake office at (903)665-3911. Under the Archaeological Resource Protection Act (ARPA) “any person who furnishes information which leads to the finding of a civil violation, or the conviction of criminal violation” for digging, destruction or trade of artifacts may be rewarded an amount equal to one-half of such penalty or fine, but not to exceed $500 by the Secretary of the Treasury.
