Entry No. 93 — the Dallas file — filed under: after-dark

Cooper Lake State Park Stargazing

About 90 minutes northeast of Dallas, Cooper Lake is one of the darkest skies you can reach on a weeknight, and it's a favorite stargazing escape for North Texans looking to dodge city glare. The park runs free stargazing programs that meet at the far east end of the Swimming Beach at 6pm, with parking at the Heron Harbor day-use area and park telescopes on hand. Entry is $5 a person for ages 13 and up, free for kids and Texas State Parks Pass holders.

The move: Drive northeast to Cooper Lake for a stargazing program, set up on the dark swimming beach away from city glow, and take turns at the park telescopes once full dark sets in.

📍 Before you go Stargazing programs are scheduled/seasonal; check TPWD calendar for the next date. $5/person entry. Meet at east end of Swimming Beach, park at Heron Harbor. ~90 min from Dallas.

• 📍 Sulphur Springs / Cooper
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Cooper Lake State Park (South Sulphur Unit), 1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482

Hours: Added 2026-06-23 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-23