Brushy Creek Day Use

Brushy Creek Day Use Area is situated along the banks of Lake O' the Pines in the Ark-La-Tex portion of the Pineywoods of east Texas, near the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Brushy Creek offers one large group picnic shelter, along with 30 smaller, non-reservable picnic sites in shady areas along the shore, each with tables and grills. A boat ramp, courtesy dock, swimming beach and basketball court are also provided. Boating, fishing, water sports and wildlife viewing are all popular pastimes here. Lake O' the Pines fishing includes largemouth, spotted and white bass along with crappie, catfish and sunfish; in addition to boat fishing there are areas for bank fishing along the shore and below the dam along Big Cypress Bayou. Hunting for white-tailed deer, waterfowl and small game is available on nearby public lands. Birdwatchers are encouraged to bring their binoculars, as numerous resident and migratory bird species inhabit the area — bald eagle sightings are common in fall and winter, and they are occasionally seen in spring and summer. Lake O' the Pines includes about 18,700 acres of water and 9,000 acres of land. It was created by the construction of the Ferrell's Bridge Dam on the Big Cypress Bayou, originally as part of the overall plan for flood control in the Red River Basin below Denison Dam in Oklahoma. Other historic and tourist attractions are nearby in the towns of Jefferson and Marshall, and Texas Wildflower Trail routes run along the roads surrounding the lake.