Details for Texas State Railroad RV Park and Campgrounds
Nestled in the piney woods region of East Texas, the Texas State Railroad RV Park and campgrounds offer the unique experience to stay onsite at a historic railroad. There is nothing like waking up to the sound of one of our steam engines coming down the track! The park offers camping, RV sites and picnicking facilities at both the Rusk Depot and Palestine Depot.
Rusk Depot RV Park & Campground
The Rusk Depot offers visitors a beautiful 15-acre fishing lake and a full-service campground facility to enhance a four-season vacation experience. What was once Rusk State Park now serves as the Texas State Railroad-Rusk Depot, where travelers can camp, tour the park and ride the historic steam train or diesel train. Enjoy the scenery or take the train during one of the themed events for added interest.
Palestine Depot RV Sites & Campground
Tent and RV sites with water (no electricity), restrooms (no showers) & cooking grills Activities: ½ mile nature trail, playground, pond, and large park. Dump station on site Open-air group picnic pavilions.
Visit the website for
Texas State Railroad RV Park and Campgrounds
Park Road 76, U.S. Highway 84 West
Rusk, TX 75785
(903) 683-5126
(888) 987-2461
Testimonials and Reviews
The Texas State Railroad is just an incredibly fun way to spend an afternoon. As mentioned in the previous review it runs from Palestine to Rusk and/or Rusk to Palestine and back. The day we rode it was only running from Rusk to Palestine. The magnificent, beautiful machine that headed our train was #300, their 1917 Baldwin 2-8-0 83 Ton steam engine.
Clean restrooms on the train and at both stations. Wheelchair friendly. A snack bar inside the diner car even serves up fresh scooped Texas Blue Bell Ice Cream.
"One thing we will never forget (we actually were so relaxed we fell asleep for a few minutes), when we crossed a bridge we woke up with the sounds of the others passengers and kids exclaiming "Wow!". What happened was that the steam coming from the engine went down over the river and created a giant rainbow. Crew told us that that happens often."
"The Palestine campground is more rustic and open than the Rusk Depot RV Park but offers tent and RV sites with water but no electric hookups. There are restrooms but no showers."
"We spent the night at Texas State Railroad RV Park & Campground at the Rusk depot. They have great full-hook up pull through sites, group campsites, and tent sites with water and electricity. In addition you'll find: two tennis courts; a small lake for boating, fishing, and swimming; a group dining hall with a full kitchen and BBQ grill; an office and gift shop; a short nature trail; a playground and picnic area by the lake; and a trail around a portion of the lake."
