Following the Shawnee Trail southwest, it’s an hour’s drive to the Elm Fork, Trinity River where Dr. C. Reid Ferring and his son, Taylor, discovered bison bones that led archaeologists to an ancient Paleoindian camp site on what is now the Ray Roberts Dam Greenbelt.

On Dec. 2, 1988, Dr. Ferring and his eight year old son, Taylor, were on a mission to collect fossils for Taylor’s 3rd grade class. What they discovered that day turned out to be one of the oldest campgrounds in North America—well over 11,000 years old. For more on this amazing site, visit C. Reid Ferring at the Center for Environmental Archaeology at: Index of Texas Archaeology.

This clearing is close to the site of the original camp where the occupants dammed up a spring-fed pond. We gave this spot the name Twin Forks Camp in our story and describe it as a camp of many blessings.

Walking down the canal path towards Ray Roberts Dam, it’s easy to see why this place on the Elm Fork was a choice environment for long-term, seasonal camping.

For a band of hunter-gatherers, the setting must have offered an ideal environment with its unique balance of grasslands, timber, nuts, fruit, and fresh water along with the variety of animals that thrived on its abundance.

The Greenbelt spreads out below the dam along the banks of Elm Fork leading into Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

Ray Roberts Lake State Park is one of the most beautiful and accessible parks in Texas. Its immaculate trails are wheel chair friendly and perfect for leisurely hiking and horseback rides.