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Clyde's Crossing

Clyde's Crossing is a small park located on Hwy 191 across the road from Rebecca's Convenience Store just northwest of Zwolle. There will be a kiosk sign developed there as well as a fishing pier.

Clyde Crossing park is a 2 1/2 acre tract of land, located on Hwy 191 and is owned by the Sabine River Authority. This park commemorates the actual historical site of Clyde with its early years of trading goods and communication with the west. Today, the only remains is an old cemetery located at the actual site of "Clyde's Crossing".

In the early days, freighting was done in this area chiefly by ox wagons that met the Texas and Pacific railroad crossings. In 1881, William Martin Webb opened a trading post at this location, which later became a U. S. Post Office with Webb serving as the first post master. The establishment of an East-West mail route was so momentous that the popularity and influence of Mr. & Mrs. Webb and their trading post grew rapidly. Clyde just happened to be the name of the Webb's son. Continued growth in railroad freighting, brought exciting news that Kansas City Southern railroad was going to build a passage from Shreveport to the Gulf and was looking for vintage points along the way. Clyde was tentatively selected for the site, but things did not materialize due to land developers donating land that later became the town of Zwolle.

DIRECTIONS: Clydes Crossing is located on Highway 191 between Mile Markers 42 and 43 (NOTE: Mile Markers are on the northbound side of the highway only) or 1.2 miles north of the junction where Highway 475 goes in to Zwolle. It is on the east side of the highway. GPS: 31.37.949N - 93.40.038W

Hot Wells / San Patrico Overlook

This is a roadside pullover with signage and a fishing pier.

San Patricio is a tributary that runs into the Sabine River..Located in the wooded area, was a "natural hot spring" where people visited to get the water to be used for medicinal purposes.

The park area includes two nice picnic sites with charcoal grill facilities. Across the road is more "wetland" - great for bird watching or fishing!

DIRECTIONS: Hot Wells / San Patrico Overlook is located on Highway 191 between Mile Markers 47 and 48 (NOTE: Mile Markers are on the northbound side of the highway only) or 0.2 miles north of the junction where Highway 1218 intersects Highway 191. It is on the west side of the highway. GPS: 31.40.903N - 93.43.506W

Oak Ridge

The Oak Ridge park features a paved, two lane boat launch area with an ample parking lot. Quiet coves interrupt the shoreline and provide opportunities to explore nature or fish quietly from shore. Scattered around the camping area are picnic facilities with water, grills, and picnic tables. A well equipped playground adjoins a sandy beach area for swimming. There are 20 full-hookup RV campsites at the park and daily fees are charged for those. Entry fees for day-use of this facility - $2.00 per person with kids under 12 free.

Site 3 - 3A - Wilderness Area

This is a purely wilderness area. The only "creature comfort" you'll find here is the "chair" carved into a tree stump! There is a "pathway" going into the water where a small boat could be launched. There are three clearings where you could camp - none are very large.. This is not an area to attempt to reach by passenger car!! It is well off the beaten path - remote - and you should plan accordingly if you're going to visit and, especially, if you plan on camping there. There are no fees charged for use of this facility. The recent addition of ATV trails is making this a popular place for ATV enthusiasts, too. Approximately 8 miles of marked trails form a figure eight shape, so when you complete the trail you will finish where you started, thus, making it convenient for you to be back at your vehicle. These trails are marked with green dots to keep you on the trail paths. There are 12 challenging mud holes for the avid ATVer or you may choose to go around the mud holes. There is a billboard located at the entrance to these trails that post a map showing the actual trail layout.

Converse Bay

Converse Bay has a paved, 2 lane boat launch area with a large parking lot. A large, wooded, clear area provides ample space for tent camping as well as picnicking. There are trash barrels and grills in proximity to the picnic tables. A nice playground area for children adjoins the swimming beach area. There are no fees charged for use of this facility.

San Miguel

San Miguel is 108 acres of rolling land and is beautiful! They offer tent camping, RV hookups (overnight or by the month), and fully furnished cabins. There are swimming and playground areas and lots of places for an enjoyable picnic. In addition to a paved boat launch, they also have covered boat stalls. There is a $2.00 per person daily fee for entrance - under 12 FREE.

Tourist Information Center

The Sabine River Authority - State of Louisiana administrative offices shares this building with a Louisiana Tourist Information Center provided by the SRA. Stop here to pick up maps and information on the many attractions in Louisiana. They'll have a cup of coffee waiting for you! There picture shows the picnic and playground area just beyond the Tourist Information Center and adjoining Toledo Bend Lake. A six mile hiking trail also begins here. There are no fees charged for use of this facility. This is located on Louisiana Highway 6 at the end of the causeway and Pendleton Bridge crossing to Texas. In Texas, the same highway is Texas Highway 21.

Cypress Bend

Cypress Bend has 114 acres of park and about 3 miles of shoreline. The facilities are very modern. The picture to the right shows part of their large pavilion from the beach. Only partially showing in the left of the picture is the restroom and to the extreme right is the lighted fishing pier. There is also a jetty you can fish from. They have a very large parking area to accommodate visitors to the pavilion and a six lane paved boat launch - this is the launch site for a number of fishing tournaments for this very reason. Tent campsites are available as are RV spaces for overnight or monthly RV camping. The beach is large and sandy and right next to a really neat playground facility and lots of picnic areas. There is a $2.00 per person daily fee for entrance - under 12 FREE.

Pleasure Point

Pleasure Point has about 200 acres and about 5 miles of shoreline! It's wooded, rolling land that is just beautiful. There are a number of quiet coves, such as in the picture at the right. They have the usual (for SRA sites) playground facilities, picnic areas, and swimming beach area. Tent and RV camping are available and RV campers may stay overnight or by the month. They also have "bare bones" cabins for sheltered camping. The cabins are equipped with picnic table and electricity and water nearby outside. There are grills for barbecue available scattered all around the park area. There is also a paved, 2 lane boat launch facility and ample parking. There is a $2.00 per person daily fee for entrance - under 12 FREE.

Photos by Frank Dutton