Summer is officially here, and things are heating up in Cleburne! Don’t let the Texas heat scare you away from visiting this charming town. There are plenty of ways to cool down in Cleburne this summer. How about a dip at Cleburne State Park? This peaceful 116-acre lake is perfect for a swim and a lakeside picnic. Or maybe Splash Station, Cleburne’s year-round waterpark, is more up your alley? Everyone favors its 120-foot waterslides. And that’s just the beginning. Here are even more ways to stay cool in Cleburne this summer.
OUTDOORS
Cleburne State Park
With 528 acres, a 116-acre spring-fed lake and almost 6 miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, the
park is a great place to keep cool this summer. Start with a morning dip in Cedar Lake, where you can also spend your days fishing lakeside (no license required), by boat or from the lake’s covered fishing pier. Don’t have your fishing gear with you? No problem. The park loans out fishing gear and rents kayaks & stand-up paddle boards if you don’t have your own.
Wake boating and Jet Skis are not permitted on the lake, so it’s the perfect place for a peaceful kayak. Head out in the morning or the evening and explore the lake at your own pace. Just don’t forget to bring water and apply sunscreen before you do—that Texas heat is no joke!
Or, if staying on land is more your thing, hit the trails—the mountain bike trails, that is. The park has 6 miles of mountain bike paths that take you through technical and wooded sections, challenging downhills and fast, smooth flats. No matter your experience level, you’ll enjoy exploring these diverse trails.
Just in case one day here isn’t enough for you, there are a handful of campsites around the park, complete with water, electricity and sewer hookups.
~5800 Park Road 21
Splash Station
It’s obvious why
Splash Station, Cleburne’s year-round waterpark, is a favorite among locals and visitors during the summer. With two 120-foot slides, a pool, an interactive spray pad, a lazy river and more, the water park is always a fun time.
Head here early in the morning and get in your laps Monday through Friday from 6 - 10 a.m., or sign your little ones up for swim lessons; classes are available for swimmers of all levels. Plus, check its event calendar because they host events and classes during the week.
Admission is $6 per person, ages 3 and older.
~1010 S. Hillsboro St.
Lake Pat Cleburne
The largest lake in Cleburne,
Lake Pat Cleburne is where you can do everything from fishing to swimming to taking out a boat. Jet Skis, boats, kayaks, standup paddleboards, and canoes are all permitted on the lake, just look for one of the several two-lane boat ramps that sit on the east and west sides of the lake to get your boat or Jet Ski in the water.
When it’s time to cast your line, expect to lure in everything from largemouth bass, three types of catfish (blue catfish, flathead catfish, and channel catfish), white crappie, and white bass, all of which call the lake home.
From the lake’s east ramp, you can even walk to
Cleburne Golf Links, an 18-hole, par-72 lakeside golf course. Head here when you need a break from the heat and grab a bite at its restaurant, the Cleburne Golf Links Grille, for the menu and hours of operation visit the
website.
Carver Park Splash Pads
While there’s plenty to do at
Carver Park, most people head here to enjoy the park’s splash pads. Join in and cool down as water shoots out in all directions across the pads. Kids of all ages are welcome and visit the playground, another favorite in the park after you’ve cooled down at the splash pads.
~600 Park St.
INDOORS
Bee Happy Yogurt for Frozen Yogurt
Calories don’t count in the summer, right? Okay, they might, but that shouldn’t stop you from heading to Bee Happy Yogurt for some frozen yogurt when you need a sweet treat. Make your own creation from flavors like country vanilla, creamsicle, blue cotton candy, and Irish mint, adding as many toppings as you like. Blueberries, hot fudge, chocolate sprinkles, mochi, Oreos, and Rice Krispies Treats are just the tip of the topping iceberg. Just remember—you’re charged by weight here, so maybe don’t go too overboard with the toppings, as tempting as they may be.
~1646 W. Henderson Suite C
Layland Museum
In what was once the 1904 Carnegie Library Building, a building that’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places,
Layland Museum is more than just a beautiful building—it’s a great place to learn about what life was like years ago in this part of Texas. Artifacts include guns, fossils, Native American clothing, photographs, and more. The museum is free to visit and is more than just a place to escape the heat— it’s a place to learn more about Cleburne’s interesting past.
~201 N. Caddo St. Cleburne
Cleburne Railroad Museum
Located on the same block as the Layland Museum,
Cleburne Railroad Museum (which is also free) offers you an interesting look at the area’s past as a Texas railroad hub. The exhibition gallery has more than 500 fascinating artifacts. You’ll also find a reading area and an Oral History room in the museum, and tours are available upon request.
~206 N. Main St.
Gone With the Wind Remembered Museum
Channel your inner Scarlett O’Hara and head to the
Gone with the Wind Remembered Museum for one of the most comprehensive memorabilia collections you’ll find anywhere. With more than 6,000 pieces, including costumes from the movie, dolls of the characters and genuine movie props, you’ll be transported back in time as soon as you walk through the doors.
~305 E. 2nd St.
Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum & Big Bear Native American Museum
Sitting right on the Chisholm Trail,
Chisholm Trail Museum is another one of Cleburne’s fantastic museums; the trail used to drive cattle overland in the late 19th century. You’ll see a glimpse of what life was like as a cattle driver, as well as look into a working blacksmith shop, stagecoach station and what it was like to live in a teepee. The museum offers horseback riding and more.
The
Big Bear Native American Museum, located at the Chisholm Trail Museum, is a great museum for exploring Native American artifacts, including beautiful displays of beaded moccasins, handmade swords, ceremonial pieces and more. For admission and hours of operation visit the
website.
~101 Chisholm Trail Cleburne