Things to Do in Gilmer, TX
Don't let the small-town charm fool you—Gilmer packs a punch when it comes to things to do. Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, a wine enthusiast, a family looking for weekend fun, or just passing through East Texas, you'll find plenty to keep you busy.
From world-class off-roading at Barnwell Mountain to sipping wine at local vineyards, from bass fishing at Lake Fork to treasure hunting at antique shops, Gilmer offers authentic East Texas experiences you won't find anywhere else.
Quick Guide by Interest
| Interest | Top Activities |
|---|
| Outdoor Adventure | Barnwell Mountain OHV, hiking, biking |
| Water Activities | Lake Fork fishing, Lake Gilmer kayaking |
| Food & Drink | Winery tours, BBQ trail, local dining |
| Shopping | Downtown antiques, boutiques |
| Family Fun | Yamboree, parks, mini-golf |
| Events | Car shows, festivals, live music |
Outdoor Adventures
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area
Address: 873 Co Rd 2295, Gilmer, TX 75644
Phone: (903) 797-4066
Hours: Sunrise to sunset (camping 24/7)
Admission: $5/person (hiking/biking), $15–30/person (ORV riding, member vs. non-member). Kids 6 and under free.
The crown jewel of Gilmer outdoor recreation. This 1,800-acre playground in the piney woods of East Texas offers:
Off-Roading:
60+ miles of trails for ATVs, UTVs, Jeeps, and 4x4s
Trails range from easy scenic routes to extreme rock crawling
MegaRun events throughout the year
Jeep Jamboree USA host site
Hiking & Mountain Biking:
25+ miles of multi-use trails
Trail maps available at entrance
Wildlife viewing (deer, wild hogs, birds)
Camping:
Primitive tent sites
RV sites with hookups
Restrooms and showers
Insider Tips:
Check trail conditions before you go (call ahead)
Bring plenty of water—Texas heat is no joke
Required: Spark arrestor, current registration, helmet for ATVs
Download offline maps—cell service is spotty
Lake Gilmer
Address: 636 Co Rd 3102, Gilmer, TX 75645
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Admission: Free
A quiet 1,000-acre reservoir perfect for:
Kayaking and canoeing: Calm waters, great for beginners
Fishing: Bass, crappie, catfish
Picnicking: Shaded areas with tables
Wildlife watching: Bald eagles visit in winter
Note: No swimming allowed (city water supply). No gas motors—electric trolling motors only.
Lake Fork (30 minutes away)
Known as: The "Bass Fishing Capital of Texas"
If you're serious about fishing, Lake Fork is worth the short drive:
Over 27,000 acres of trophy bass fishing
15 of the top 20 Texas bass caught here
Multiple marinas, bait shops, and guide services
Bass tournaments almost every weekend
Don't fish? The lake area has great restaurants, cabins, and sunset views.
Wineries & Breweries
Los Pinos Ranch Vineyards
Address: 658 County Road 1335, Pittsburg, TX 75686
Distance: 20 minutes from Gilmer
Hours: Thu-Sun 11 AM - 6 PM
This beautiful Texas winery feels like Napa dropped into the piney woods:
Award-winning wines (try the Blanc du Bois)
Gorgeous tasting room with vineyard views
Live music on weekends
Food trucks and picnic areas
Insider tip: Their "Yamboree Red" is released every October and sells out fast.
Enoch's Stomp Vineyard & Winery
Address: 871 Ferguson Rd, Harleton, TX 75651
Distance: 25 minutes from Gilmer
Another excellent nearby option:
Family-owned and operated
Wine tastings and tours
Events throughout the year
Beautiful outdoor seating
Gilmer Brewing Company
Address: Downtown Gilmer
The local craft beer scene:
Rotating taps of locally brewed beers
Casual atmosphere
Often has food trucks
Live music some weekends
Downtown Gilmer Historic Square
Location: Main Street and surrounding blocks
Gilmer's downtown is a treasure hunter's dream:
Antique Shops:
Multiple antique malls with hundreds of vendors
Vintage furniture, collectibles, and oddities
Prices are reasonable compared to Dallas/Houston
Boutiques:
Women's clothing and accessories
Home decor and gifts
Local artisan products
Yamboree Attic:
Open year-round (not just during Yamboree)
Crafts, homemade goods, unique gifts
Supports local artisans
Farmers Market
Location: Downtown Gilmer (seasonal)
Hours: Saturdays 8 AM - 12 PM (April-October)
Fresh produce, homemade jams, local honey, baked goods, and crafts.
Family Activities
Yamboree (October)
The biggest event of the year! See our complete
Yamboree Guide
Gilmer City Parks
Cindy Birmingham Park:
Playground
Walking trails
Sports fields
Picnic areas
Tobey Park:
Splash pad (summer)
Basketball courts
Covered pavilion
Movie Theater
Silver Screen Cinema (Longview - 20 min):
Nearest first-run movie theater
Bowling
Oak Hill Lanes (Longview - 20 min):
Family bowling center
Seasonal Activities
Spring (March-May)
Wildflower drives: Bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes
Barnwell spring events: Mud bogs, trail rides
Fishing: Bass spawn at Lake Fork
Farmers market opens: April
Summer (June-August)
Lake activities: Kayaking, fishing early morning
Winery concerts: Los Pinos summer series
Evening drives: Cooler temps in the pines
Drive-in movie: Try the Galaxy in Garrett (30 min)
Fall (September-November)
Yamboree: Third week of October (MUST DO)
Hunting season: Deer, hog, duck
Fall foliage: Beautiful in East Texas pines
Harvest festivals: Multiple farms and wineries
Winter (December-February)
Holiday events: Downtown Christmas lighting
Eagle watching: Lake Gilmer
Off-roading: Cooler temps = perfect for trails
Cozy cabin stays: Fire pits and hot chocolate
Day Trips from Gilmer
Jefferson, TX (45 minutes)
Historic river town with:
Steamboat era history
Bed and breakfasts
Antique shopping
Boat tours on Caddo Lake
Tyler, TX (45 minutes)
Larger city with:
Rose Garden
Caldwell Zoo
Broadway Square Mall
More restaurant options
Caddo Lake (1 hour)
Texas's only natural lake:
Cypress groves draped in Spanish moss
Kayak and canoe tours
Great fishing
Haunted history tours
Dallas (2 hours)
For a big city fix:
Museums, sports, shopping
World-class dining
Major attractions
Rainy Day Activities
East Texas weather can be unpredictable. When it rains:
Wine tasting at Los Pinos or Enoch's
Antique shopping downtown
Movie day in Longview
Bowling in Longview
Cozy up at a local restaurant with comfort food
Read a book at Huey's Coffee
Planning Your Activities
1-Day Itinerary
Morning: Breakfast at BeBe's, then Barnwell Mountain trails
Lunch: BBQ at Dubya's
Afternoon: Downtown antique shopping
Evening: Dinner and drinks
Weekend Itinerary
Friday: Arrive, dinner at Duran's
Saturday: Barnwell Mountain off-roading or hiking, lunch in town, winery in afternoon
Sunday: Breakfast, lake activities, head home
Yamboree Week Itinerary
Wednesday: Arrive, set up camp/check in
Thursday: Carnival rides, food booths
Friday: Parade (biggest in East Texas!), street fair
Saturday: Barnwell MegaRun, square dancing
Sunday: Arts & crafts, livestock show
Local Secrets
What Only Locals Know:
The best sunset view is from the top of Barnwell Mountain (hike or drive)
Tuesday is discount day at most antique shops
Los Pinos often has live music not advertised—just show up
The best fishing at Lake Gilmer is at dawn, before the wind picks up
Many local businesses give "Yamboree discounts" the week after the festival
Getting Around
You'll need a car. Gilmer has no public transportation, and Uber/Lyft don't operate here.
Local taxi companies:
Gilmer Taxi: (903) 734-1111
Limited availability, call ahead
Rental cars:
Closest: East Texas Regional Airport (GGG) in Longview
Major chains available
More Resources
Best Restaurants in Gilmer
Where to Stay in Gilmer
Events in Gilmer
Barnwell Mountain Guide
Have a hidden gem we should feature? Let us know!
