The 7 Best Lakes in Dallas (Fishing, Boating, Swimming, and More!)

The city of Dallas in Texas is not only known for lovely parks, historic buildings, and tall skyscrapers but also for some great lakes. The global city is home to some of Texas’ most renowned and spectacular lakes. The lakes in Dallas are known for their picturesque views and majestic beauty. Not only are they pleasing to the eyes, but they also offer endless recreational activities—swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, grilling, relaxing, biking, picnics, and more!

Are you looking for the perfect destination for your next summer vacation? Check out our list of the 7 best lakes in Dallas you’d absolutely love to visit! 

Best Lakes in Dallas

White Rock Lake

Located in Northeast Dallas, White Rock Lake serves as a water source as well as a recreational lake. White Rock is popular for rowing and several other activities including sailing, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding. The tourist-friendly lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park which features a 9.33-mile trail for hiking, running, and bicycling. There are also several fishing piers available for people who love to fish. A visit to White Rock Lake will provide you with the best opportunity to explore natural areas and wildlife. 

Grapevine Lake

Grapevine Lake is a small artificial lake located in the North Texas region, approximately 20 miles northwest of Dallas and northeast of Fort Worth. Numerous parks, as well as 30 miles of natural trails, surround the lake. It has camping facilities managed by the city of Grapevine, offering RV camping, site camping, and rental cabins so you can relax comfortably and even enjoy a picnic with your loved ones. On the lake itself, you can enjoy boating, sailing, kayaking, and canoeing. In addition to this, Grapevine lake is one of the best places for fishing –home to several fish species, including bass, white crappie, and catfish. There is always something fun to do and spectacular views to enjoy on Grapevine Lake!

Lewisville Lake

Lewisville Lake is in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. During the summer months, it can become extremely crowded. But this is nothing you should worry about –because there’s more than enough room for everyone! Six marinas, twelve parks, and three restaurants provide boat ramps, boat rentals, camping options, and other fancy amenities for guests. It is the best place for recreational boating, fishing, paddling, sailing, kayaking, swimming, or relaxing on picturesque shores.

Lewisville has beautiful beaches, well-kept hiking trails, golf courses, and campgrounds. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is a 2,600-acre nature preserve that is adjacent to the lake. It is also used for hiking, camping, and other recreational activities. If you’re looking for a more rowdy scene or to socialize, then you should check out Party Cove located on the lake.

Joe Pool Lake

Named after congressman Joe Pool who helped promote the funding of the lake, Joe Pool Lake lies southwest of Dallas in Cedar Hill city. The 7,740-acre lake is a top recreation destination in Dallas; for all kinds of land and water activities. Joe Pool Lake features several parks offering boat ramps, public swimming beaches, and marinas. The Lynn Creek Marina located on the northside of the lake has facilities for fishing, sailboats, boat rentals, and an indoor-outdoor fishing area. Cedar Hill State Park, sitting along the lake’s east shoreline, is home to a campground with over 350 stations catering to tent camping and RV parking.

Lake Ray Hubbard

Also named after a living person, Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the more popular lakes in Dallas for fishing. Visitors get to scour the lake for different fish species such as catfish, striped bass, largemouth bass, crappie, and channel. This 20,947-acre lake is one of the largest lakes in the northern part of Texas, sitting on the East Fork of the Trinity River. It has six parks, three marinas, and four boat ramps, as well as opportunities for skiing, boating, and swimming. The Harbor Rockwall district is one of the major attractions on the lake. It is an entertainment destination for live music, restaurants, boutique shops, fine dining, and more! 

Bachman Lake

This small freshwater lake is a popular recreation area in Dallas, featuring the Bachman Recreation Center. Swimming pools, fitness stations, benches, water fountains, and picnic areas are provided at several locations in the area. Bachman Lake also features non-motorized boating, sailing, and rowing. There’s a marina and boathouse present in the area. Fishing is also popular on the lake, as it is regularly stocked with catfish. Surrounding the lake is an approximately 3.3-mile paved and cemented trail for cyclists, bikers, hikers, and even pedestrians. The surrounding landscape and planes overhead provide a perfect view if you’d love to watch the skies above Bachman Lake.

Lake Tawakoni

Approximately 48 miles east of Dallas lies the 37,879-acre Lake Tawakoni, a popular destination known not just for recreational activities but also for its vast flora and fauna. This stunning lake has all the adventures you’d love to experience – camping spots, swimming, boating, hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and more. Some marinas also offer water skiing and jet skiing. There are several towns surrounding the lake that provide great restaurants, shops, and accommodation options to tourists. If you need a quiet and peaceful spot to escape the bustling life of the city, then Lake Tawakoni is one of the best lakes in Dallas to visit. 

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Agarcia5720/Shutterstock.com