Community
BY CODY THORN
Lake guide
2025
The Dallas-Fort Worth area features a number of man- made lakes that offer boating, fishing, camping and outdoor adventures throughout the year. Check out these nine lakes that are worth the trip in all parts of the metroplex. Eagle Mountain Lake The lake spans 8,694 acres and was created in 1934. It is a reservoir that was formed by damming the West Fork of the Trinity River, according to the Trinity Regional Water District. Activities: fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, boating, camping, volleyball, paddle boarding Cost: Free (admission) Amenities: hiking trail within Eagle Mountain Park, Shady Grove Park, Twin Points Park, boat rentals, cabin rentals • 10200 Ten Mile Bridge Road, Fort Worth • www.eaglemountainlake.org Joe Pool Lake The 7,400-acre lake is a tributary of Trinity River. It was approved in 1965 and was originally Lakeview Lake until 1982, when it was renamed after former Congressman Joe Pool, according to the Texas Water Development Board’s website. The lake is located in Denton, Ellis and Tarrant counties. Activities: camping, boating, fishing Cost: $20 per car for up to six people, $2 for each additional person Amenities: Cedar Hill State Park, Loyd Park, Lynn Creek Lake Arlington The 50-acre lake is tributary of West Fork Trinity River and located north of Interstate 20, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife’s website. Activities: fishing pier, boating, camping, playground, sailing Cost: $5 boat usage fee Amenities: Richard Simpson Park, Bowman Springs, Eugene McCray Park, 2-mile walking trail, sailing lessons, boat rentals • 6300 W. Arkansas Lane, Arlington • www.arlington.org/listings/lake-arlington/573 Lake Ray Hubbard Created in 1968, the 22,000-acre lake features nine beaches and is located in Collin, Dallas, Rockwall and Kaufman counties on the East Fork of the Trinity River. It was originally named Forney Lake, according to the lake website. Activities: fishing, camping, boating, water skiing, hiking, biking Cost: $4 fee per car Amenities: Rockwall Harbor entertainment center, Lakeside Park, Pecan Grove Park, Terry Park, John Paul State Park, Britton Park • 6399 FM 1382, Dallas • www.joe-pool-lake.org
Grapevine Lake The 8,000-acre lake features 9 miles of trails and operates 11 public access boat ramps. Activities: boating, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, camping, kayaking Cost: free (admission) Amenities: Vineyard Campground and Cabin, DFW Surf, parks
Branch Park Cottonwood Park, East Hill Park, Harbor Lane Park, Hidden Cove Park, Lake Park Lewisville, Little Elm Park, Oakland Park, Pilot Knoll Park, Stewart Creek Park, Sycamore Bend Park, Westlake Park, Willow Grove Park • 600 Sandy Beach Road, Lewisville • www.lake-lewisville.org White Rock Lake The 1,015-acre city lake is 5 miles northeast of downtown Dallas. It started as a water reservoir in 1913 and became a city park in 1929, according to White Rock Lake’s website. Activities: fishing, biking, hiking, kayaking Cost: free (admission) Amenities: 9.3-mile hike/bike trail, boat rentals, White Rock Lake Museum, Bath House Cultural Center, Dallas Arboretum, a dog park, pavilions for rent, a fishing pier • 8300 Garland Road, Dallas • www.dallasparks.org/235/white-rock-lake This list is not comprehensive. Lavon Lake The lake supplies water to member cities of the North Texas Municipal Water District. Activities: fishing, camping, boating, swimming Cost: $5 per vehicle Amenities: Collin Park Marina, hiking trails, parks, boat rentals • 3375 Skyview Drive, Wylie • www.lake-lavon.com
• 2 Grapevine Lake, Grapevine • www.tinyurl.com/mvvyz47y
Jones Park, Elgin B. Robertson Park, Windsurf Bay Park • 599 Terry Lane, Heath • www.lake-ray-hubbard.com Lake Worth The 3,489-acre lake was created in 1914 and is located in the Fort Worth city limits, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife website. Activities: boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, water skiing Cost: free (admission) Amenities: 6-mile trail, dog-friendly, herd of American bison, Marine Creek Lake • 4033 Marina Drive, Fort Worth • www.tinyurl.com/5dkyrfxn Lewisville Lake The lake spans 29,980 acres with 233 miles of shoreline. Originally called Lake Dallas, water storage began in 1928 after the creation of the Garza Dam on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ website. Lewisville Dam was created in 1948 and Lake Dallas’ dam was breached, combining the two lakes. Activities: camping, hiking, biking, golf, swimming, water skiing, fishing, boating, paddle boarding Cost: $5 per vehicle Amenities: Party Cove boating area, boat rentals, fishing guides, marinas, Arrowhead Park, Copperas
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MCKINNEY EDITION
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