By Ashlynn Bouldin, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing
Estimated reading time: 3.5 minutes
Looking to spend your summer on the water but don’t know which lake to choose? Whether you’re wanting to break out the boat, swim, fish or just take in the view, DFW has a variety of stunning lakes for you to explore—all with their own unique features. We’ve put together a list of our favorite lakes below, with popular activities and must-know rules to help locals and newcomers alike pick the perfect lake for their next day in the sun!
1. Lake Lewisville Location: Denton County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Little Elm Beach
Lewisville Lake Park
Party Cove
Pier 121
Eagle Point
Hidden Cove
The Lakefront™
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Lewisville.
2. Lake Grapevine Location: Tarrant and Denton Counties
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
9 miles of wilderness trails
Oak Grove Park
Meadowmere Park
Scott’s Landing Marina
Silver Lake Marina
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Grapevine.
3. White Rock Lake Location: Dallas County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
9.33-mile hike and bike trail
Bath House Cultural Center
White Rock Lake Museum
Audubon Society bird watching area
Sailing
Water sports and boating
Fishing
Swimming is prohibited
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
No jet skis or water skis
10.5-horsepower limit for boat motors
Learn more about White Rock Lake.
4. Lake Ray Hubbard Location: Dallas, Rockwall, Collin and Kaufman Counties
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Lakeside Park
Pecan Grove Park
Rockwall Harbor
Harbor Bay Marina
Bayside Boat Club
Chandler’s Landing Marina
Sapphire Bay Marina
Water sports and boating
Fishing
Swimming along shorelines is prohibited
Swimming from a boat mid-lake is limited due to the lake’s role as a drinking-water reservoir
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Ray Hubbard.
5. Joe Pool Lake Location: Tarrant, Dallas and Ellis Counties
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
9-mile paddling trail
Cedar Hill State Park
Lynn Creek Park
Loyd Park (with 3 miles of equestrian trails!)
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Campsites are limited to a maximum of 10 people and two camping structures (only one of which can be an RV/travel trailer)
Learn more about Joe Pool Lake.
6. Lake Arlington Location: Tarrant County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
10.9-mile paddling trail
Richard Simpson Park
Bowman Springs
Eugene McCray Park
Sailing
Water sports and boating
Fishing
Swimming is prohibited
All watercraft must display a city boat permit
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Arlington.
7. Lake Ray Roberts Location: Denton County and parts of Cooke and Grayson Counties
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Lake Ray Roberts Marina
Lone Star Lodge and Marina
Johnson Branch
Isle du Bois Swimming Beach
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Ray Roberts.
8. Eagle Mountain Lake Location: Tarrant County and parts of Wise County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Eagle Mountain Park
Shady Grove Park
Twin Points Park
Eagle Mountain Marina
West Bay Marina & RV Park
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Camping is only permitted at Creek Harbor Campground
Learn more about Eagle Mountain Lake.
9. Bachman Lake Location: Dallas County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
3.08-mile hike and bike trail
Bachman Lake Skatepark
Bachman Recreation Center
Dallas Rowing Club
Water sports and boating
Fishing
Swimming is prohibited
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
No jet skis or water skis
10.5-horsepower limit for boat motors
Learn more about Bachman Lake.
10. Mountain Creek Lake Location: Dallas County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
2.1-mile hike and bike trail
Mi Familia Park
Baseball field
Soccer field
Fishing
Swimming is prohibited
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
No jet skis or water skis
10.5-horsepower limit for boat motors
Tip: While boating is permitted, it’s generally not recommended due to the shallowness of the lake.
Learn more about Mountain Creek Lake.
11. Lake Lavon Location: Collin County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Avalon Park
Mallard Park
Pebble Beach Park
Collin Park Marina
East Fork Harbor Marina
Water sports and boating
Swimming
Fishing
Camping
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Lavon.
12. Lake Waxahachie Location: Ellis County
Popular Activities/Attractions: Must-Know Rules/Regulations:
Boat Dock Park
Spring Park
Water sports and boating
Fishing
No motorized vehicles on pedestrian/bike trails
No parking on the grass
Learn more about Lake Waxahachie.
Looking for more outdoor fun around DFW? Check out our parks & outdoors page for details on city parks, hiking and biking trails, nature centers, dog parks and more!
