Nature and Outdoor Activities
Purtis Creek State Park covers 1,582.4 acres in Henderson and Van Zandt counties. It is a destination for largemouth bass fishing. The 4.1-mile Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail also runs through the park, which offers guided hikes as well. You can focus on fishing, the trail or a guided hike. Since trail conditions and program times can change, check both before your visit.
In Van, a nine-hole disc golf course is located around McMillan Park at 712 E. Main Street. Each tee has two sets of pads, making an 18-hole round possible too. The park also has a lake with a kayak ramp. Choosing between nine and 18 holes gives you a practical way to plan your disc golf round.
Buildings and Local History
The Van Zandt County Courthouse was built in 1937 with funding from the Public Works Administration. It was the sixth building to serve as the Van Zandt County courthouse and features elements of Art Deco and Streamline Moderne. Its construction date, funding and place in the sequence of courthouses provide a specific historical context for the building.
The historic district of Wills Point brings together brick streets, a railroad depot museum and the original Wills family log cabin. Its streetscape, railroad history and family history offer distinct points of interest. In Edgewood, the Church in the Wildwood represents a religious heritage spanning more than 100 years. In Van Zandt, you can encounter both public architectural history and traces of everyday and religious life.
Festivals with Distinct Traditions
The Van Zandt County Fair features livestock shows, a carnival and rodeo. The annual Edgewood Heritage Festival takes place in downtown Edgewood; in 2026, it is scheduled for Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Van Oil Festival is held annually at Van City Park on the third Saturday in October. It is a family event celebrating Van’s history. If you plan your trip around a festival, check the specific event dates before traveling.
The festivals’ histories also offer distinct points of reference: First Monday Trade Days has been held since the 1850s, while Edom’s annual arts and crafts festival began in 1972. It was founded by artisans who had settled in Edom in the 1960s and worked with pottery, silver jewelry, glassware, macramé and leather goods.
Plan Your Visit
The Van Area Oil and Historical Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; check the hours before your visit. Tours and group visits may be available by request. If you plan either, contact the museum in advance.
Discover more destinations: Fruitvale, Wills Point, Galveston, Kenedy County, Crosby County, Upton County, Kendall County, Callahan County.
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