Drives Texas East Texas and the Piney Woods
FM 729: Lake O' the Pines
FM 729 · Lone Star → Highway 49 near Jefferson
The drive
FM 729 runs along the north side of Lake O' the Pines, the big Corps of Engineers reservoir north-west of Jefferson. It starts in Lone Star, by the old Lone Star Steel plant, and heads south-east over low pine ridges, dipping across the creek arms that reach up from the lake. It's a road that ripples rather than twists: short rises, gentle bends and glimpses of water through the trees.
Along the way it passes the turns for the north-shore parks and ramps, including Alley Creek, Johnson Creek and Hurricane Creek, and crosses Hurricane Creek about five miles before the end. The drive finishes at Highway 49, a few miles north-west of Jefferson, the old river port where the Caddo Lake drive begins.
Along the way
- Lone Star
- FM 729
- Highway 49 near Jefferson
Good to know
- Most of the Corps parks along FM 729 charge a day-use or launch fee; some, like Alley Creek, open only from March through September.
- The drive ends at Highway 49, a few miles north-west of Jefferson.
Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check DriveTexas.
Questions about this drive
How long is FM 729 along Lake O' the Pines?
FM 729 from Lone Star to Highway 49 near Jefferson is 22.2 miles and takes about 30 minutes.
Which parks are on FM 729 at Lake O' the Pines?
FM 729 serves the north-shore parks of Lake O' the Pines, including the Corps of Engineers' Alley Creek, Johnson Creek and Hurricane Creek parks.
Is FM 729 twisty?
No. FM 729 is mostly gentle curves and short hills over the pine ridges north of Lake O' the Pines: a relaxed drive rather than a technical one.
What you get in the app
Free on iPhone and Android. CarPlay and Android Auto come with Apex.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.