To help get a little zest for life we thought you would enjoy knowing our top five outdoor activities. East Texas is a vast area filled to the brim with breath taking beauty. Sure it gets really hot in the summer but staying locked inside huddled close to the central air zaps the life out of you. We recommend you read through our suggestions and get out and enjoy life -- all of suggestions are family friendly (within reason). We know how Texans love to live large -- so we have your next ultimate adventure after the jump.

Fishing

Fishing
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KNUE's Amy Austin loves to fish -- Check out her secret fishing spots!

Lake Fork is a  27,000-acre lake that has redefined big-bass fishing in Texas. Fork holds the state’s big-bass records and attracts anglers from as far away as Japan. One economic study done in the early 1990s estimated the value of Lake Fork’s sport-fishing at $27.5 million per year. Besides big large mouth bass, Lake Fork has plenty of White & Black Crappie, Channel Cat and Sunfish. Spend a day or weekend at Lake Fork, you could just be the next big-bass record holder!

Lake O’ the Pines, located in the Piney Woods of beautiful East Texas is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. With 18,700 acres of water spread out over parts of five East Texas counties, which include, Marion, Harrison, Upshur, Morris and Camp. If you are looking for great fishing, boating, swimming or camping, Lake O' The Pines  is a perfect choice! Growing up in Longview, me and my family spent many weekends at the popular Sandy Beach! As far as fish, Large-mouth Bass is the most coveted. But this lake also boasts Spotted Bass, Crappie, Blue Cat, Channel Cat and Flathead Catfish. 

Lake Palestine offers something for everyone in terms of a fishery. The lake is very popular for Large-mouth Bass tournaments due to its consistent success. The lake has  White and hybrid striped bass ; white bass are particularly popular during their spring run up the Neches River and Kickapoo Creeks. Channel and Blue Catfish are abundant and Flathead Catfish provide great opportunity for trophy-sized fish.The lake is very popular for skiing, personal watercraft and boating!

Mountain Biking

mountain biker
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Radio TX Live's Buddy Logan is our resident Mountain Bike expert, along with an Account Executive, Tom Norman. I wince when I see the skinned knees and shines they come in with after "hitting the trails."

Buddy has these words of advice for anyone looking to start mountain biking. "If you’ve been thinking about getting into mountain biking but were worried there aren’t too many places to mountain bike here in Tyler, worry no more! UT Tyler has some great trails that will test your endurance. I graduated from UT over a year ago and I didn’t even know we had bike trails until just last month –right about the time I started mountain biking.

If you’re looking for a good workout, one big plus about UT is its hills which make for a much more challenging ride that will test your endurance.

The UT trails also features obstacles like bridges, steps and ramps, there’s even a see-saw you can ride over all of which really add to the enjoyment and difficulty of the ride. So if you were thinking about taking up but thought there weren’t any good places to ride, go check out UT’s trails and they’ll change your mind."

Cliffs
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Lucky Larry found a spot that could most certainly be a thrill of a lifetime! We do strongly suggest that adults accompany minors -- this facility is not supervised -- nor regulated.  Here is Larry's outdoor activity suggestion.

" If someone has told you to go jump off a cliff recently you know there's not too many places you can do that here in East Texas except at The Cliffs! The Cliffs opened their doors earlier this summer and has quickly become one of East Texas' hot spots.

It's not your typical swimming hole though - here you literally run and jump off a cliff into the spring fed pool below. It’s an exhilarating thrill and a great way to cool off in East Texas.

To enter The Cliffs you must be 17 (or have the permission of a parent that has signed a notarized permission slip) you will have to sign a waiver and the admission price begins at $5.00 for 1 person in car but differs with the amount of people that you have.

You can see the admission price on their Facebook page. The Cliffs are located at 10609 FM 16 West (3 miles past Lindale High School). Look for the small white sign that says, The Cliff Must have ID to enter" -- and you must have your ID -- everyone, not just the driver."

Have fun this summer and be safe while jumping off The Cliffs!

Zip Line

Zipline
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Marcie Pink - Digital Program Directory (me) Even though I really am not very keen on heights I have found that I love the freedom I felt when going down a "Zip Line."

In a little community south of Tyler the is a facility "New York Zipline."  The well trained staff will assist you with a safety harness and stylish helmet (yes there were all sorts of non-politically correct jokes made) to ensure safety.

Once hooked onto a wire cable that is suspended what seems like miles (no really only about 50 - 100 feet) in the air a deep breath and a leap of faith you are sailing through the tree tops -- almost feeling like a bird. It is incredibly peaceful and at that moment I realized how truly breath taking East Texas really is.

This is not for the weak of heart -- it takes a bit of courage but with the effort.  I recommend calling in advance as this is a really popular place and often it is very busy.

NY Ziplines is on7290 CR 4328 in LaRue, TX  (Get Directions). You can call them at 903-681-3791.
They are open Thursday through Sunday 9am - 6pm.

We hope that you enjoy the an outdoor adventure -- if you have any suggestions let us know we would love to include them.

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