Martin Dies Jr. State Park in Texas is a 705-acre recreation area along the banks of the Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper and Tyler counties, is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department who in 1964, leased the land from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, at which time opened it as Dam B State Park, but renaming the park in 1965 to honor State Senator Martin Dies Jr.

The park consists of three units; Hen House Ridge Unit and Walnut Ridge Unit, both of which units allow camping. A third unit know as Cherokee Unit is a day use area only.

The campground is located on US 190 between Jasper and Woodville, Texas. The state park straddles US 190 with campsites both north and south of the highway along the Steinhagen Reservoir on the Neches River.

Coastal Plains Region of Texas

South Central Plains Ecoregion (Pine Belt Area)

The first inhabitants were of the sons of Diklah and included the Caddoan culture in the northeast Texas, and the Attacapan cultures in south east Texas,

The park offers recreational activities such as boating, camping, cycling, fishing, hiking, paddling, swimming, and volleyball.

Due to the park being located a good distance from major cities means dark skies and the park offers stargazing events at times.

Located in the Pineywoods where two rivers meet, the Angelina river and the Neches River. There are the Angelina National forest to the north and the Big Thicket National preserve to the south. Other lakes in the area include the Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend reservoirs.

Woodville (the Dogwood Capital) and Jasper (the Jewel of the Forest) have fuel, grocery stores, restaurants and more.

The Alabama Coushatta Tribe reservation is about thirty miles west of the park.

All campsites have picnic table, lantern post, fire ring with grill and water.

Restrooms with showers are nearby

Adults: $4.00 per person

Children (12 years and under): Free

89 campsites, Water and 50 Amp Electric: $20.00

33 campsites, Water and 30 Amp Electric: $16.00

51 Water only: $14.00

37 Screened Shelters: $30.00

9 cambins: $45.00 - $55.00

Five restrooms and shower houses, canoe and kayac launches several boat ramps, sanitary dump stations, fish cleaning stations, park store-gift shop, playground, designated swimming area.

At least where I was camping in the Hen House Ridge area, the roads and campsite parking area have all been newly paved with asphalt.

I drive east out of Jasper on US 190 until I reach the Neches river at which is located the Martin Dies Jr state park. Once arriving at the state park, I go inside the headquarters and purchase three days of camping. Then, I drive to the campsite, sweep the amassed leaves from the asphalt space and then set up my electrical.

Next, I grab my shower bag, walk to the shower house and get into the hot water.

Awake, walk to the shower house for my morning shower in the hot water, then walk back to the jammer to get out my cookpot to boil water for my cup of hot and Daystart. Then, I climb into the back of the jammer to begin my day of key pounding while I have my morning meal.

At noon, I step outside to take some photos of the surroundings.

During this day, I talk to a couple of the campers here in the park, notably endeavoring to direct the subject to a spiritual one and with one man I am able to do just that.

Yes, we talk some first about how we are definitely in what the Bible calls the Last Days, and then about the coming paradise, which subject is not taught in the churches, to which he agreed heartily. Still, here it is as a promise in the Bible and the words of Jesus to boot. Too, he told me that is wife had been diagnosed with cancer and gone through all the medicine and treatments of the medical profession and came away with her now being in remission. I told here that I too have cancer and that I have got it in remission if not cured it, and I have not been to a doctor one. Instead, I have been using nutrition, supplements and essential oils.

That evening, it rain the entire night through and when I awoke the next morning, my campsite was under water. In fact, I had to drive to higher ground JUST to get out of the jammer.