If you are looking for a weekend getaway or a day at the lake, then consider visiting North Texas and all the lakes that Dallas has to offer.
Best Lakes Near Me
The Texas summer heat can be downright unbearable! But finding a local lake or Texas waterfall for some fun and splashing in the cool water can make the dog days of summer more fun.
Dallas and the surrounding cities have numerous lakes that are perfect for swimming, fishing, boating, and walking along the shorelines.
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I love how Dallas is a big city but has so many places to drive for a day trip or quick escape to the Texas Hill Country.
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Lakes Near Dallas
If you are looking for a man-made lake near me then you have come to the right spot!
Did you know that there are over 6,000 lakes in Texas? Yet only one is a natural lake. Caddo Lake spans over 26,000 acres and is the only natural made lake in the Lone Star State.
Its bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss makes this one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas.
Best Lakes in Dallas/Fort Worth
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Bachman Lake
Located next to Dallas Above Field Airport, you’ll find this small lake. It features picnic areas, an indoor aquatic center, hiking and biking trails. It’s a great place to picnic and watch the planes land and take off from the airport.
The lake is stocked yearly with catfish and bass. Guests can also learn to sail and launch their kayaks and canoes.
Cedar Creek Reservoir
Stretching across two counties, this is a popular weekend getaway. It’s the fourth largest lake in Texas and has everything you need for a fun getaway. In the spring and summer months, the fish are biting. Catfish, largemouth bass, hybrids, white bass, and crappie are stocked yearly.
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Grapevine Lake
Technically not in the city of Dallas, but this lake is too beautiful not to be included. Not only is this a recreational lake, but provides water and flood control for Grapevine, Dallas, and Dallas Counties.
This massive lake offers boat, kayak, and SUP rentals. Along the shoreline guests can fish, swim at the sandy beach, tent camp, and cabin rentals.
There are also multiple trailheads located around the entire lake and multiple trails for horse riding.
This is one of my favorite hikes around the lake. Finding the hidden rope swing when the shoreline is down, makes for a fun place to stop and relax during the hike.
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Eagle Mountain Lake
This is the ultimate place to spend a summer day out on the water. This popular place is great to watch fireworks on Independence Day, cruise around on jet skis, rent a party boat, and head to the party cove with friends.
If you want to stay away from crowds, then it’s best to avoid this popular lake on weekends.
Joe Pool Lake
When enjoying Cedar Hill State Park this is the lake visitors can enjoy. They offer a picnic area, a swimming area, campsites, boat ramps, and fishing piers. There is multiple boat ramp access around the lake.
Lynn Creek Marina, located on the north end of the lake, offers sailboats, recreational boat rentals, and fishing docks. This is by far one of the best lakes in Dallas.
Lake Arlington
Best known for its paddling trail and bass fishing. The paddling trail runs from Bowman Springs Park clockwise to Richard Simpson Park – this is a smooth and calm place to kayak without fighting the wake of boats.
Visitors can also enjoy the fishing pier, boat ramp, walking trails, playground, and picnic areas.
Lake Bridgeport
Made by damming the West Fork of the Trinity River, this is a popular fishing lake. Launch your boat from one of the many ramps and try your luck at catching largemouth bass, sand bass, hybrid, and crappie.
There are also multiple picnic areas, a swimming beach, and playgrounds located around the lake.
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Lake Lewisville
During the summer months, Little Elm Park offers a beautiful sandy beach with a roped-off swimming area. They offer free life jackets to use while visiting.
The park also has grills, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas, and a playground. The lake also has five marinas that all vary with amenities such as boat rentals, food, entertainment, and more.
Lake Palestine
This lake was created in the 1960s when the Neches River was dammed. Make a weekend getaway and stay at one of the cabins, resorts, campgrounds, or bed and breakfasts surrounding the area.
This lake is known for its annual largemouth bass tournaments. But is also great for hiking, boating, canoeing, and swimming in the water.
Lake Ray Hubbard
With over 22,000 acres, this is one of the largest lakes in North Texas. Situated on the East Fork of the Trinity River, guests can enjoy six parks, four boat ramps, and three marinas.
This lake is a great place to meet up with a fishing guide and rent boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards.
If you’re looking for great views, not the water, then head over to The Harbor. Located on the east shoreline where the I-30 bridge crosses the lake.
Here you’ll find numerous restaurants, cute shops, and the Hilton Dallas/Rockwall Lakefront hotel.
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Lake Tawakoni
Located about 30 minutes outside of Dallas, guests can enter the state park and spend the day fishing & enjoying the lake, tent camp, or enjoy a day hiking the trails.
This beautiful area is surrounded by multiple small towns perfect for unique dining, shopping, and a break from the city.
Lake Texoma
Known as the Striper Fishing Capital of the World, this is the place to cast a line and catch some monster fish. This is one of the largest reservoirs in the US and is the 12th largest US Army Corps of Engineers’ lake.
Mountain Creek Lake
A short drive from downtown Dallas, this unique lake has it all. Although it is a popular fishing lake, the fish aren’t safe to eat due to high levels of PCB contamination. This lake was once used as a cooling reservoir for a power plant and is now used for recreation purposes only.
Mountain Creek Lake Park sits on the shoreline has a playground, soccer field, baseball field, and picnic area.
Richland-Chambers Reservoir
Located in Corsicana, and is about an hour outside of Dallas. The Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area can be found at the east end of the reservoir and has 11 access areas around the Y-shaped lake.
Guests can also rent a room at the Harbor Inn Restaurant & Club, Fisherman’s Cove Lodge, and Wooded Acres Campground for a weekend getaway.
White Rock Lake
Located in East Dallas and situated between Lakewood & Casa Linda neighborhood. Popular for joggers and bikers. But they also have the historic bathhouse and dock launching for rowers.
Those visiting the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens can get great views of the lake while walking through the park.
Wanting to hike around the lake? Follow the shoreline of White Rock Lake and it connects to the Union Pacific Trail, Santa Fe Trail, Katy Spur Trail, and White Rock Creek Trail.
Lake Texoma
One of the largest reservoirs in the country is shared with Oklahoma. This popular destination attracts more than 6 million visitors a year. With its two state parks, twelve marinas, dozens of campgrounds & resorts, and swimming beaches, it’s no wonder this is a popular destination.
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