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Texas
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Texas State Parks

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USA Parks
Texas
Prairies & Lakes Region
Navarro Mills Lake
Navarro Mills Lake © U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, photographer not specified or unknown / Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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NAVARRO MILLS LAKE
NAVARRO MILLS LAKE
Navarro Mills Lake Dam Road
(lat:31.9441 lon:-96.7548) map location

Phone: 254 578-1431
Navarro Mills Lake is a reservoir located in central Texas, primarily within Navarro County. It spans approximately 5,070 acres and serves as both a recreational destination and water supply source for the region.

Constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with impoundment beginning in April 1961, Navarro Mills Lake was officially opened to the public on September 23rd of that year. The lake's main feature is Liberty Hill Park which offers camping facilities along with boat ramps providing access for fishing enthusiasts seeking white crappie or catfish among other species.

The area surrounding Navarro Mills Lake boasts scenic beauty characterized by rolling hills dotted with oak trees-a typical vista of this part of Texas prairie land. Visitors can enjoy picnicking areas while bird watchers often frequent its shores due to diverse avian populations attracted by the lake's habitat.
Nature of the Area
Navarro Mills Lake, located in central Texas approximately 20 miles west of Corsicana and about 60 miles south of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is a reservoir created by impounding Richland Creek. The area surrounding Navarro Mills Lake features gently rolling hills with an array of hardwood forests interspersed with open pastures and agricultural lands typical to this region's rural landscape. The lake itself spans around 5,000 acres when at full pool level and provides various recreational opportunities such as fishing for crappie, catfish, white bass; boating; camping; picnicking areas along its shores within Liberty Hill Park or Oak Park managed by the U.S Army Corps of Engineers. Wildlife viewing can also be enjoyed here due to East Central Texas' diverse ecosystem that supports numerous bird species alongside other fauna amidst mixed woodlands and prairie habitats adjacent to the waterbody.
History of the Area
Constructed in 1951-53 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for flood control, water supply, and recreation purposes, Navarro Mills Lake is situated within Navarro County near Corsicana. Before its establishment as a recreational area and reservoir, the land primarily served agricultural functions with private ownership typical of rural Texas regions.

The lake's historical features include Liberty Hill Park which offers insight into local history through various markers and exhibits on-site. The park itself provides outdoor activities such as camping, fishing spots known for crappie catches; it also has boat ramps facilitating water-based recreation.

Ownership transitioned from individual landholders to federal management when authorized under the Flood Control Act of 1945-its primary purpose being to mitigate downstream flooding risks along Richland Creek and improve regional water resources stability.

Today managed by Fort Worth District of USACE (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), it continues serving multiple roles: ecological habitat conservation alongside public leisure amenities like picnic areas or hiking trails that highlight natural Texan landscapes around Dawson & Purdon communities nearby.
Fishing
Anglers can enjoy catching crappie, catfish, and white bass. Largemouth bass are also present for sport fishing enthusiasts.


Location
Navarro Mills Lake is located near Corsicana

Trails
1. Oak Park Trail: This trail offers a scenic hike around the oak-filled park, providing views of Navarro Mills Lake and opportunities for bird watching; length is approximately 2 miles.

2. Liberty Hill Trail: A moderate-level hiking path that takes you through varied terrain including wooded areas and open fields with lake vistas; its total distance is about 3 miles.

3. Wolf Creek Nature Trail: An easy walk ideal for families, this short loop meanders along Wolf Creek's banks within the lush greenery near the lake shore; it spans roughly 0.5 mile.

4. Brushy Prairie Loop: Hikers can explore native grasslands on this prairie-centric trail which circles back to its starting point after extending into more densely forested sections; estimated at 1 mile in length.

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Area Campgrounds
BATL Ranch RV Resort
657 FM 339
Mount Calm, TX
254-294-4334

Directions
From Corsicana, 20 miles southwest on TX 31, 1 mile north on FM 667.

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Texas
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Texas State Parks

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