Mission Tejas State Park honors the first mission built by Spaniards in East Texas. Photo courtesy Texas State Parks

Mission Tejas State Park in East Texas will celebrate the completion of a three-year renovation project with a grand reopening celebration on Nov. 8.

The 659-acre park, which bristles with tall pines, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corp in the 1930s to commemorate the first Spanish mission in East Texas. It was transferred to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and opened as a state park in 1957.

Today it’s known for its forested grounds, remnants of Spanish efforts to settle the area, a log home built by pioneers in the early 1800s and, in the spring, its blooming dogwood trees.

Mission Tejas will celebrate the completion of a three-year renovation on Nov. 8. Photo courtesy Texas State Parks

People come to fish, camp and hike 8.5 miles of trails. The Nabedache Loop trail leads hikers past part of El Camino Real, a historic route built in the late 1600s that led from Mexico City to Louisiana.

But most of the park’s facilities, including the mission, campground, fishing pond, day-use area and access to El Camino Real, have been closed since January. The renovation project includes improvements throughout the grounds by the Texas Department of Transportation and TPWD.

The reopening celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Visitors can meet new Superintendent Josh Diamond and see newly displayed historic artifacts donated by Stephen F. Austin State University. The park’s campground has 15 sites with water and electric hookups, and two with just water.

The park is located at 19343 State Highway 21 East near Grapeland, at the north end of Davy Crockett National Forest.

And heads up, park lovers. Entrance to all state parks is free for day-use visitors on Nov. 2.