Lake Whitney State Park pulled at something in me the moment I got close to the water. I grew up in Corpus Christi, and being near water has always felt like coming home — something in me just settles the second I can see it, hear it, smell it. This visit was no different.
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The Water First
I went straight to the lake when I arrived. That’s just what I do.
It wasn’t a still, glassy afternoon — the water was moving, the sun was bright, and it was one of those genuinely beautiful Texas days where the light does something wonderful on the surface of a lake. I walked along the edge for a while, just taking it in. There were wildflowers scattered along the bank, and I stopped more than once just to look at them.
I didn’t need to be anywhere. I wasn’t trying to cover ground or check off features. I was just walking by the water at Lake Whitney State Park, and that was more than enough.
The Bridge
After the lake, I made my way to the Two Bridges Trail. I didn’t go far — I didn’t need to. I got to the first bridge and just stopped. Sat down. Got out my sketchbook.
There’s something about a bridge over water on a quiet afternoon that invites you to stay. So I did. I sketched the bridge — the way it sat there, simple and steady, with the light coming through the trees around it. It’s the kind of subject that rewards you for slowing down and really looking.
That’s what these park visits have become for me. Not a tour. Not a checklist. Just permission to slow down and pay attention.
The Practice of Slowing Down at Every Stage
What I keep learning, park by park, is that slowing down is not passive. It requires a decision. It requires showing up somewhere without your to-do list running in the background, without half your attention already somewhere else. Lake Whitney State Park did not slow me down — I brought the willingness to slow down, and the park gave me a beautiful place to do it.
That is what this entire series is really about. Not the parks as destinations, but the practice of tending to yourself well — choosing restoration, choosing presence, choosing the kind of care that compounds over time. At 69, I am less interested in doing more and more interested in doing the right things, slowly, with intention.
Slowing down is not something that happens to you. It is something you choose, again and again, until it becomes who you are.
Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap
I had my Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap with me that day — I’d used it before I left, and honestly, the peppermint stays with you. It’s refreshing in a way that felt exactly right for a sunny afternoon outdoors. I’ve been making that bar for a long time, originally just for myself, because peppermint and tea tree together has always been my idea of clean. Sharp and fresh and simple.
Out in the sunshine at Lake Whitney State Park, it made perfect sense.
The Best Thing I’ve Ever Done for Myself
I say this in the video, and I mean it: visiting these parks is one of the best things I have ever done for myself.
Not just this one. All of them. The whole project. There’s something that happens when you commit to showing up for yourself in nature, again and again, park after park. You start to remember what you actually need. You remember what quiet feels like. You remember that you’re part of something much larger and slower and more beautiful than whatever was sitting in your inbox that morning.
Lake Whitney State Park was stop 15 of 88. And on that sunny afternoon, walking the edge of that lake with wildflowers at my feet and a bridge to sketch and a bar of peppermint soap in my bag — I felt it again. That deep, settled feeling of doing exactly the right thing for yourself.
I hope you get to feel that too.
Practical Notes for Your Lake Whitney State Park Visit
[ IMAGE — Lake Whitney State Park Passport Stamp ]
Location: 433 FM 1244, Whitney, TX 76692
Day use hours: Typically 6 AM to 10 PM — confirm current hours at the Texas State Parks website before you go
Entrance fee: Standard Texas State Park day use fees apply; the Annual Pass is a worthwhile investment if you plan to visit several parks
Park highlight: The reservoir shoreline — take time to simply sit near the water and let the quiet settle
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, a journal or sketchbook, comfortable walking shoes, and something grounding for the close of your day
Best time to visit: Early morning or overcast days for the most still water and softest light; spring and fall are lovely for the shoreline
Worth noting: The lake views are peaceful even in off-season — sometimes the absence of crowds is the best condition of all
The Journey Continues
Next up is Fort Parker State Park for Episode 16. I’m already looking forward to seeing what it brings.
If you’ve been following along — thank you. This journey means more to me than I can easily say.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Texas state park is good for a peaceful, restorative visit near water?
Lake Whitney State Park is a wonderful choice. The lake is the heart of the park, and just walking along its edge on a sunny afternoon has a way of settling you. It’s accessible from DFW and Waco without being a long haul, and once you’re there, it genuinely feels removed from the noise of daily life.
What are some good reasons to visit Texas state parks beyond hiking and camping?
The deeper reason — the one I keep coming back to — is what it does for you on the inside. Parks like Lake Whitney State Park offer something that’s hard to find anywhere else: real, unhurried time in nature. No agenda. Just you and the water and the wildflowers and however long you want to stay. For me, this series has become one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever done for my own wellbeing.
Are there Texas state parks close to Dallas or Fort Worth worth visiting for a day trip?
Yes — Lake Whitney State Park is one of the more accessible options from DFW, roughly an hour and a half southwest. It’s a genuine escape without requiring a major commitment of time or distance.
What natural skincare products work well for outdoor activities in Texas heat?
I bring products I’ve made myself, and my Peppermint & Tea Tree Soap is one I reach for when I know I’ll be outside. The peppermint is cooling and refreshing — exactly what you want on a warm Texas afternoon — and tea tree is naturally cleansing. It’s a simple ritual, but pairing good handcrafted skincare with time in nature just feels right.
Susan is documenting all 88 Texas State Parks on her YouTube channel. Subscribe to follow the journey, and visit [SusanSoapsAndMore.com] to explore her handcrafted natural skincare line.
More From the Texas State Parks Quest
Previous Park Episode: Daingerfield State Park