Fort Parker State Park — Attraction in Groesbeck

Fort Parker State Park: The Tale of the Longhorn Man

The woods around Fort Parker State Park are peaceful by day—quiet trails, families fishing, the occasional deer rustling through the brush. But locals know not to stay too long after sunset. Because once the golden light fades from the lake and the cypress shadows stretch long across the path, something stirs.

They call him “El Cornudo.” The Horned One.

Born of Fire and Fury

The legend begins in the 1860s, when settlers first arrived near what is now Fort Parker. One rancher, a man named Cyrus Bellows, claimed land too close to the native burial mounds near the river bend. Ignoring warnings from the nearby Tonkawa people, he slaughtered a herd of wild longhorns and used their skulls to mark the edge of his territory.

On the night of a blood moon, a fire swept through the ranch. Cyrus vanished—no bones, no body. Only hoofprints scorched into the earth, and the smell of ash and sweat.

The Creature Appears

The first modern sighting came in the 1980s. A group of high school kids snuck into the park to party by the lake. One stumbled back into town the next morning, babbling about a towering man with “the head of a bull, eyes like hot coals, and hands that could crush a tree trunk.” His friends were never found—only torn shirts and deep gouges in a pecan tree.

Since then, the stories haven’t stopped.

Fishermen hear snorting just beyond the fog. Hikers report seeing horns glinting through the underbrush. One terrified park ranger once radioed in a panicked message:

“It’s not an animal. It’s standing. It knows we’re here.”

Nature’s Enforcer

El Cornudo isn’t just a monster. He’s a guardian—of the land, of the balance, of ancient wrongs left unpunished. Some say he’s the spirit of vengeance for every wild thing displaced by progress. Others believe he is Cyrus Bellows, cursed to wear the face of the beasts he once slaughtered.

The Warning

If you visit Fort Parker and feel a sudden warmth in the air… If the crickets go silent and the trees lean just a little too close… Don’t look behind you.

Because the Longhorn Man doesn’t like to be seen. And if you do see him?

It’s...

I could see why some might write 5-star, but this was not our experience camping.

Pretty park, with no privacy. Could see (and hear) the dozens of other campsites. No natural barriers between sites like other state parks we've gone to.

Privacy issues made worse by other guests .. Group of about 20 adults and kids jammed in the two shelters next to us, with tents and hammocks spilling onto our site. They were playing loud music after 10 and generally treating it like an event space rather than campsite .. Group on other side watching Netflix on inflatable screen afterhours one night, playing loud music the next .. another group player poker you could hear couple sites away, also after 10pm quiet time guidance.

Canoeing was a total bust .. They didn't rent canoes the days we were there because of anticipated wind, but conditions turned out to be perfect for canoeing .. not to mention the reservation system is weird.

Bathrooms were a C-minus .. 50/50 chance if the main ones were clean .. one stall was out of use, hand dryer broken, no paper towels .. other bathroom you couldn't even walk into .. last bathroom we saw was closed.

First park where staff wasn't pleasant and welcoming .. couple interactions with headquarters (checking in, asking about canoed) lady acted like we were bothering her .. ranger on the campsite said shelters by us had too many people and they were encroaching on our site but didn't want to speak to them .. just used to lots of smiles from staff - so this was a surprise

Playground was meh, better at other state parks we've gone to.

That all said, the sloping campsite (and lack of barriers) allowed nice views of the lake to everyone, especially at sunset .. Wildflowers in bloom added to scenery .. The few trails they have are easy and well marked for younger kids .. firewood vending machine is easy ($12 for a bundle that lasted one night) if you don't have room for your own .. and our kids had generally had positive things to say about the stay (aside from being kept awake).

I think there's a great time to be had here, but avoid weekends...

One of the Creepiest places I've ever been to. Doubtful that we will go again. Its dark as the blackness of space at night and beautiful as the day God made it during the day. But felt like one of those places you shouldn't be. Like a dead zone, or ancient burial ground or cemetary. Something within the campground just ain't right. The place made my hair stand on end.

Our entire three days Wildlife was non-existent. There were no deer, no animals of any kind, no birds at all not one, no varmints or rodents. Only bugs and ants. Looking up there were no hawks, no buzzards, no falcons watching the lake.

Fishing: There must have been 20 people fishing the dock or along the bank and in front of our site. No one caught a thing, not even a perch.

Something is spiritually wrong here. We couldn't sleep, it was not until we left we felt like we could relax.

The park hosts and police were like OCD, with park cleaning. I appreciate a clean park but they were so obsessed that if they noticed anyone packing up to leave they would grab 5 gallon buckets and stand at the site just staring at them until they left and them proceeded to comb over the area in a grid search for anything to pick up.

I've never witnessed anything like it. I wish I could describe how awkward Fort Parker is, almost feels like old souls that are stuck and have not gone home.

The park is not crowded there are not enough spaces to be crowded. However, if your camper is longer than 30ft bumper to ball, do not come here. The turn around in the site area is too small for anything bigger.

The place is really beautiful and attached are some photos. Ft.Parker is just not for us. God bless this...