Imagine a place where you can go boating, fishing, swimming and enjoy other recreational activities. A place with scenic views and stunning sunsets. If this sounds good to you, you might want to check out the best lakes in Texas!
Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or want to spend your summer vacation on one of these lakes in Texas, the state’s bodies of water really do have so much to offer. We’ll help you plan your next Texas lake vacation to make sure you find the right destination to make the most of your weekend. Whether you’re looking for a getaway with your family, friends, or with that special someone, we can help you find:
- Sandy beaches for relaxing. Our listings include the best Texas lakes for swimming and relaxing at the beach. Once you pick a lake you can find a place to stay, like a nearby bed and breakfast or a vacation rental that makes it easy to get to and from the beach.
- A spot to spend a day on your boat. Do you want to spend the day fishing or enjoying some water skiing or jet skiing? We’ve got you covered. We’ll help you find the best lakes for boating in Texas – with boat launches or boat rentals to get you out on the water.
- A spot with a view. Sometimes you might not want to stay on the beach or be too active, you just want a place to unplug and enjoy the view. We’ll help you find the clearest, most beautiful lakes in Texas to relax for a long weekend or a full-blown vacation designed to help you recharge.
Find Texas Lakes Near You
Admit it, you love the thought of heading out to a lake in Texas to recharge your batteries. Who could blame you? We’re big fans of so many lakes in Texas, but here are a few that we’re particularly fond of.
The best lakes to visit in Texas
- Lake Texoma is home to the best fishing in Texas. This lake is on the northern border of the state and shares the state line with Oklahoma. It’s technically a reservoir and was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and it’s stocked with all kinds of fish including crappie, catfish, bluegill, and striped bass.
- Lake Conroe is a huge lake covering 22,000 acres and over 150 miles of shoreline with two public access points for swimmers. Catfish and bluegill are the most popular targets for anglers visiting the lake, known for its abundance of fish but it also has great picnic areas, boat rentals, and more than a dozen camping locations.
- Somerville Lake is another popular reservoir constructed by the USACE. The attached State Park is famous for bird watching for the many amazing water birds including wood storks, white pelicans, egrets, and grebes.
- Amistad Reservoir covers over 100 square miles and is fed by the Rio Grande and Devils River. The Amistad Reservoir reaches over 200 feet in spots and has some solid fishing with a variety of bass and catfish luring in anglers from all over the region.
- Cedar Creek Reservoir is located Southeast of Dallas and is known for its family-friendly activities such as swimming and water skiing! The fourth largest lake in Texas also has several marinas for you to outfit or rent a boat. The nearby Cedar Creek Brewery is great for food and drinks, and there’s even some top-notch golf nearby if you want to get away from the water for a bit.
- Lake Georgetown is another reservoir on this list formed by the North San Gabriel Dam. The reservoir was put in place to supply water to nearby cities and also manage the area’s water, but it’s also become a huge attraction for people looking to camp, boat, and fish.
- Lake Texana is located in Jackson County and covers just over 15 miles. Camping is popular at the nearby Brackenridge Park & Campground, and there are also plenty of other activities in the area including wineries if you get tired of spending time on the water. Swim at your own risk, as alligators are known to frequent these waters.
- Lake Fork covers three counties due east of Dallas and has a little something for people of all stripes from swimming, bird watching, skiing, boating, jet skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and more. Boat rentals are available if you don’t have your own boat to enjoy a day on the lake.
- Lake Whitney is best known for being one of Texas’s most beautiful lakes. The lake is over 100 feet deep in spots and has crystal clear water while covering over 37 square miles. With over 200 miles of shoreline, there are many access points and spots for swimming. Anglers come here for the wide variety of bass and catfish.
- Lake Tawakoni has a protected cove that’s popular for swimmers if you want to beat the heat, but this is another reservoir that’s known for its trophy-caliber fishing. The lake hosts dozens of fishing tournaments each year but is also a popular spot for fans of all sorts of outdoor recreation from geocaching to biking to bird watching. With so much activity, there are lots of places to stay including cabin rentals available right on the water.
We’d highly recommend the best lakes in Texas for your next vacation because you can enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, and other recreational activities. Texas lakes are also known for their scenic views and stunning sunsets! If you’re interested in visiting one of these lakes in Texas, we highly recommend you start planning your getaway today.