Cherokee County Parks

Buckner Park

Buckner Park features include volleyball, basketball, tennis, walking track, picnic areas, play area for children and two covered pavilions. Public restrooms are also available. Located off of Newborn Street in Jacksonville, Texas.

Butler Park

picture courtesy of Rusk Chamber of Commerce

Butler Park was once the site of the institution known as Rusk College. At one time it had a grand three story building offering classes from first grade through junior college, with six building on a 12 acre campus. It had several reorganizations and name changes. It functioned until 1928.Located in Rusk, TX.

Jim Hogg Historical Park

pictures courtesy of Rusk Chamber of Commerce

A memorial to Texas' first native born governor, James Stephen Hogg, 1891-1895, this 177-acre park offers a scale replica of the birthplace, housing, museum, historical markers, and a family cemetery. Park is for day-use only and has a nature trail and picnic area. A strip mining area from the late 1880s (iron ore) can be viewed from a rise on the nature trail, where there is an interpretive display. The parks offers self-guided and guided museum tours and nature trail tours. The park is located two miles east of Rusk off Highway 84 East and Fire Tower Road.

Nichols Green Park

Nichols Green Park has basketball courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, picnic areas, covered pavilion, walking track in beautiful scenery, bridges over walkways and new children's playground equipment. Located off Hwy 69 South in Jacksonville, Texas.

The Texas State Railroad

Photography courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

The Texas State Railroad is not only a “Texas Treasure,” it is the official Railroad of Texas.

Operating weekend excursions year-round plus expanded spring, summer and fall service. Toll Free 1-888-987-2461

Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari

pictures courtesy of Cherokee Trace

Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari is a wildlife park that is home to an amazing variety of wildlife. There are over a dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. Enjoy a self-guided drive

through the hills and open savannahs of this 300-acre preserve.

Love's Lookout

picture courtesy of Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce

Love's Lookout is one of East Texas' most breathtaking views. It is north of Jacksonville in Cherokee County, part of a long, flat-topped hill that extends north and south about nine miles. The east side looks over a broad valley - a wide expanse of beautiful scenery, (30-35 miles). Love's Lookout Scenic Park highlights a 5,500 square foot facility housing restrooms, vending machines, an information center and a sheriff's sub-station. Along the lookout ridge are 5 picnic arbors which resemble the tomato shed style of the main building.

Rusk Footbridge

picture courtesy of Rusk Chamber of Commerce

The Rusk Footbridge is believed to be the longest footbridge in the nation at 546 feet. It is located in Rusk, TX, just off the Courthouse square. It is a beautiful point of interest. During the town's early years, before streets connected a residential area with the downtown business district, the bridge served as a means to cross a small valley when the creek flooded. The original bridge was built in 1861 by Howard Barnes.