Celina was established in 1876, years after settlers had arrived in the region. Less than a decade later, the town had a drug store, school, cotton gin and grist mill. In 1902, Celina was notified that a new railroad line would be constructed nearby. That same year, citizens decided to pack their businesses and homes onto rollers and transport them one mile north to be closer to the railroad. The town was incorporated in 1907 with a population of less than 1,000. The early 1910s saw many buildings upgrading from wood to brick. Several of these same structures still stand in Celina's Historic Downtown Square today. The next few decades inspired local businesses and stores to diversify their wares and services as the town grew. As of 2000, there were 135 successful businesses within Celina's city limits.
Celina has a reputation for holding an abundance of family-friendly community events and festivals at the Historic Downtown Square. Stop by in the spring to participate in the Cajun Fest or in the summer to check out Splash & Blast. Christmas on the Square takes place at the end of November. Friday Night Markets are also held once a month during the warm season.
The nearby Collin County Farm Museum is dedicated to helping visitors to better understand the rural history of Collin County. The museum has more than 8,500 square feet of restored exhibits and collections. You'll find more dated artifacts and buildings in the Myers Park & Event Center. Don't miss out on touring the granary, blacksmith house and confinement structure. Located in the Wells Building on County Road 166, the farm museum is open every Wednesday afternoon. If you're interested in visiting outside their regular hours, you can request a private tour appointment.
Campgrounds Near Celina, Texas
Hidden Cove Park and Marina in nearby Frisco spans nearly 500 acres near Lewisville Lake. Campers have premium access to fishing, swimming, water sports and boating opportunities. Rockin’ S Bar and Grill, the on-site restaurant, is a wonderful place to enjoy fun entertainment and delicious food and drinks.
Shady Creek RV Park & Storage in Aubrey has paved driveways lined with lush grass, spacious RV sites and an L-shaped pool. There are plenty of shops and entertainment options within ten miles of the campground. You can rent one of the 206 spots for as low as $60 a night.
Stewart Creek Park in The Colony features comfortably large campsites with full hookups. Entertain your family for days by planning swimming and boating excursions on Lewisville Lake. There are also many nature trails, horseshoe pits and planned seasonal events. Stays are limited to 14 nights and a dump station is available on site.
State Parks Near Celina, Texas
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is known for its two beautiful marinas and a stunning lake full of massive bass. There are 12 miles of horseback riding trails within the park and another 10 miles designated for biking and hiking. You'll also find almost 30 miles of additional paths for those excited to head out on foot. Plan some time at the Isle du Bois Unit Interpretive Center or the Lone Star Lodge. The two campgrounds in the park have a total of 200 campsites that come with water and electrical hookups.
Eisenhower State Park opened in 1953 and has since become a premier destination for bouldering. Several national fishing tournaments are held on Lake Texoma every year. While hiking or biking, you may spot hawks, coyotes, white-tailed deer, armadillos, owls or rabbits. Several trails permit both mountain biking and off-roading. There's also a convenient watercraft vendor who rents out kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats. If you plan to camp at this park, you must reserve your campsite ahead of your visit.
The 1,785-acre Eisenhower State Park has a nature center where you can learn about the insects and animals native to the area. Head over to the boat ramp on the east side to find an 18-hole disc golf course. Anglers often set up around Melvern Reservoir to catch spotted bass, crappie and catfish. There are also various trails for horseback riding, hiking and biking. The park's old bike trail has been modified to include a 19-target archery addition. You'll find the new archery path’s trailhead as well as several other helpful amenities at the Five Star Campground.
National Sites Near Celina, Texas
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area was established in 1902 when the Chickasaw Nation sold hundreds of acres of land to the United States. About 70 years later, the Arbuckle Recreation Area and Platt National Park were combined to create the 9,889-acre recreation area you can visit today. The landscape is home to burbling streams, breathtaking lakes, hills dotted with greenery and thick forests. Visit during the warmer months to partake in kayaking, water skiing, hiking, swimming, picnicking and sightseeing.
The five-acre Waco Mammoth National Monument is next to a 100-acre parkland area on the banks of the Bosque River. The monument has the remains of several animals that perished during the Ice Age like dire wolves, an alligator, Columbian mammoths and a saber-toothed tiger cub. Paleontologists continue to excavate the area to find and preserve more ancient fossils. The adjacent park has several biking and walking trails and picnic areas with great views of the river.
The Oklahoma City National Memorial tells the stories of the citizens who were in the city when it was bombed on April 19, 1995. On this day, domestic terrorists detonated explosives in the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. More than 600 people were injured while 168 others died. Over 300 additional buildings were damaged in a 16-mile radius around the explosion. This site is a tribute to those who lost their lives and represents the city's hope for future recovery and resilience.
National Forests Near Celina, Texas
Davy Crockett National Forest has more than 160,000 acres of thriving woodlands interspersed with streams, wildlife habitats and meadows. The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area inside the forest has a four-acre lake where visitors enjoy swimming, fishing and camping. You'll also have access to a charming trail through the forest, a bathhouse and an amphitheater. Daylight hunters interested in catching feral hogs, deer, turkeys or game birds must wear fluorescent orange. Birdwatchers will have a great time watching the sky for cardinals, herons, red-headed woodpeckers and kingfishers.
Angelina National Forest extends more than 153,000 acres across four counties in Texas. This national forest has seven developed areas with many fishing docks and boat ramps for your convenience. Don't forget to spend at least a few hours enjoying the 114,500-acre Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Texas' largest manmade body of water. You'll find the best catfish and crappie fishing on the southern end of the lake. The forest also has one official geocache hidden in a corner of Graham Cemetery. Many of the original grave markers from the 1800s were made of wood and have since rotted away.
Sam Houston National Forest has several trees more than 1,000 years old. A few of the locally common tree types include white ash, persimmon, willow, southern red and loblolly pine. The most popular fishing spots include Lake Livingston and Lake Conroe. Lake Livingston encompasses 90,000 acres and is known for its exceptional white bass, catfish and bluegill fishing. If you want to stargaze, you'll need to head out into the country to get away from the light pollution caused by Houston. The forest's Double Lake Recreation Area has a swimming beach, modern campsites and nature trails.
