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Lake Madison Park
Madisonville, Texas
The Blue Lagoon
Madisonville, Texas
Geocaching in Madison County, Texas
Set where the Blackland Prairie meets the Piney Woods, Madison County blends ranchland, pine forests, and quiet lakeside trails. Formed in 1853 from parts of Walker, Grimes, and Leon Counties, it was named for President James Madison. With Interstate 45 running through its center, the county makes an ideal midpoint stop for travelers and a peaceful weekend destination for local cachers exploring the Brazos Valley region.
County seat: Madisonville
Incorporated city: Madisonville
Unincorporated communities: Midway, Normangee (partly in Leon County), North Zulch, Cottonwood, Cross, Elwood, Flynn, Roans Prairie (edge), Connor
Madisonville, Texas (County Seat)
Why visit: Nicknamed the Mushroom Capital of Texas, Madisonville pairs small-town charm with a welcoming downtown and the lakeside beauty of Lake Madison Park.
History: Founded in 1853 and named for President James Madison, it has remained the county’s center since formation. Each October, the Texas Mushroom Festival fills downtown with music, food, and local crafts.
Parks & starts:
Lake Madison Park – 75 acres with fishing piers, trails, and picnic shelters, perfect for lakeside hides.
Downtown Madisonville – walkable courthouse square with murals, cafés, and shops for urban caching
Pro tip: Combine downtown caches with a relaxing park loop — ideal for travel bugs or a lunch break midway down I-45.
Midway, Texas
Why visit: One of the oldest communities in the county, Midway offers open farmland and shaded creeks for peaceful country caching.
History: Settled in the 1850s as a stage stop between Madisonville and Huntsville; Civil War-era graves still rest in the Midway Cemetery.
Parks & starts: Midway City Park, local church greens, and SH-21 roadside pull-offs.
Normangee, Texas (partly in Leon County)
Why visit: A friendly farming town that straddles the county line — perfect for a two-county caching day.
History: Incorporated in 1912 after the arrival of the Trinity & Brazos Valley Railway; named for the wife of a railroad developer.
Parks & starts: Normangee City Park, school grounds (with permission), and FM-39 country loops leading to nearby lakes.
North Zulch, Texas
Why visit: A quiet unincorporated community with ranchland, rail history, and big Texas skies.
History: Named for the German Zulch family who settled here in the 1830s; later became a cotton-shipping hub.
Parks & starts: North Zulch ISD grounds (after hours), FM-39 roadside stops, and old rail bed trails.
Elwood, Cottonwood, and Flynn
Elwood – Historic rural community southeast of Madisonville; calm drive loops through farmland.
Cottonwood – Wooded creeks and quiet FM 2289; great for nature hides.
Flynn – Near the Leon County line with scenic highways and small historic churches.
County-Wide Highlights
Lake Madison Park – Fishing, kayaking, trails, and picnic caches.
Texas Mushroom Festival – Every October in downtown Madisonville.
Madison County Museum – Local pioneer, ranching, and rail exhibits.
Midway Cemetery – Historic headstones and peaceful setting
Old Trinity River Crossings – FM 1428 and FM 978 offer quiet drives with scenic bridges
Tips for Geocachers
Plan a Madisonville → Midway → Normangee → North Zulch loop for a satisfying half-day tour.
Combine with Grimes County to the south or Leon County to the north for county-grid progress.
Avoid muddy roads after heavy rain — many FM routes become soft quickly.
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