Pick a unit on the map to see its reservation calendar.
No detected openings were recorded in the last 90 days. Campsite Sniper monitors Johnson Creek Day Use continuously and will alert you if that changes.
Of the 183 tracked reservation dates (Sep 18, 2026 – Mar 19, 2027): 168 open for online reservation · 7 reserved · 8 closed.
Of the open reservation dates on mapped day-use units, 99 fall on weekdays and 69 on weekends (Fri–Sun).
December holds the most room. 31 of 31 reservation dates are still open there.
| Window | Date | Units open | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day | SAT Sep 5 | 0 | None open |
| SUN Sep 6 | 0 | None open | |
| MON Sep 7 | 0 | None open | |
| Thanksgiving | THU Nov 26 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Nov 27 | 1 | Open | |
| SAT Nov 28 | 1 | Open | |
| Christmas | THU Dec 24 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Dec 25 | 1 | Open | |
| New Year | THU Dec 31 | 1 | Open |
| FRI Jan 1 | 1 | Open |
Labor Day: no online availability on any tracked date. Thanksgiving: 1 day-use unit is available for all three dates. Christmas: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates. New Year: 1 day-use unit is available for both dates.
| Unit | Open reservation dates |
|---|---|
| 1 | 168 |
This day-use unit currently has 168 reservation dates available.
The next bookable date is Sep 18; the first open weekend starts Sep 18. Campsite Sniper can watch later dates for you.
| Unit | Open reservation dates | Consecutive dates | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 168 | 125 dates | Sep 18, Sep 20, Sep 21, Sep 22, Sep 23, Sep 24, Sep 25, Sep 27, Sep 28, Sep 29, Sep 30, Oct 1 +156 more |
Johnson Creek Day Use Area is situated along the banks of the Lake O' the Pines in the Ark-La-Tex portion of the Pineywoods of east Texas near the states of Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana.
Address to get here: 580 Crestwood Lp. Avinger, TX 75657
Boating, fishing, water sports, and wildlife viewing are all popular pastimes at the campground. Hunting opportunities for white-tailed deer, waterfowl, and small game are available on nearby public lands. 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. Birdwatchers are also encouraged to bring their binoculars as numerous resident and migratory bird species inhabit the area. Bald eagle sightings are a common occurrence in fall and winter and they are occasionally sighted in spring and summer. best waterfowl hunting in East Texas.
Johnson Creek offers a large group picnic shelter, complete with electric hookups, that can accommodate up to 100 guests. A boat ramp, courtesy dock, fishing dock, volleyball court, and swimming beach are also provided, making the area perfect for large parties or family functions.
Lake O' the Pines includes about 18,700 acres of water and 9,000 acres of land. The Johnson Creek Day Use Area is located near the confluence of Johnson Creek and Lake O' the Pines.
The lake was created by the construction of the Ferrell's Bridge Dam on the Big Cypress Bayou. The reservoir was originally created as part of the overall plan for flood control in the Red River Basin below Denison Dam in Oklahoma, and has now become a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts.
Other historic and tourist attractions are nearby in the towns of Jefferson and Marshall, and Texas Wildflower Trail routes are located along the roads surrounding the lake.
From Jefferson, Texas, travel 3.8 miles northwest on Highway 49. Turn left onto FM 729 and continue for just over 8.5 miles. Park entrance will be on the left.
View on Recreation.gov ↗ Get directions ↗












Reservations for Johnson Creek Day Use are made through Recreation.gov. The current snapshot shows substantial availability: 168 of 183 tracked reservation dates are open (91.8%), though availability can change. Pick the unit on the map to see its reservation calendar, or set a free Campsite Sniper alert. You complete the reservation yourself on Recreation.gov.
No. Campsite Sniper sends alerts and direct Recreation.gov links. It never books, pays for, holds, hoards, or resells reservations.
Campsite Sniper re-checks public Recreation.gov availability for this facility every hour and republishes whenever anything changes. This facility's data last changed at Sep 18, 2026 17:19 UTC; an older timestamp means nothing has changed since that time, not that checking stopped. Always confirm final availability on Recreation.gov when you book.
December 2026, with 31 open reservation dates in the current snapshot of 31.
As of the Sep 18, 2026 snapshot: the next open date is Fri, Sep 18 and the next open weekend starts Fri, Sep 18. Detected openings can add earlier dates at any time; a free Campsite Sniper alert catches those the moment they appear.
Choose the reservation dates you want at Johnson Creek Day Use.
Campsite Sniper can monitor this facility and notify you if a selected date becomes available.
When a selected date becomes available, you get a push with a Recreation.gov link so you can review and book it yourself.