Fort Worth Lakes

Lakes Around Fort Worth

It’s summertime so it’s time to pack up and head out for your upcoming grand getaway. If you’re looking for a fun destination, consider visiting a lake near Fort Worth. As it turns out, when you visit Fort Worth you have quite a few options when it comes to spending time on the lake.

There are countless brilliant motivations to visit a lake in Fort Worth during the warmer months – the cool water for swimming, relaxing summer entertainment like paddle boarding, kayaking, or swimming. You’ll find that some lakes have beaches you can enjoy while building sandcastles with the family. Has there ever been a better time? Pack up your vehicle with your fishing gear and a picnic basket then make the trip on your next vacation to find your own favorite location on the water!

Lakes Near Fort Worth

Lake Activities

A day trip, or a more lengthy trip gives you an almost limitless list of things to do for people of all stripes.

Now we’ll run down a list of some of the best things to do when you visit a lake near Fort Worth:

Swimming. The swimming lakes near Fort Worth provide tons of laughs and games for the kids, or all the physical activity that an exercise junky could want in between working on their tan. Make sure to do your research and verify that your lake has a nice swimming area and a sandy beach to spread out on prior to packing the car and the family! You know as well as we do that a swimming pool just isn’t as much fun as a beautiful public beach!

Partake in some water sports. If you’re able to get access to a ski boat, why not spend the day zipping around the lake showing off your water sports talents? Take the family out for some tubing or skiing as the lakes near Fort Worth provide you with all kinds of choices.

Catch some fish. For those that love to fish, finding a good fishing hole shouldn’t be too hard to help you have a relaxing day with a line in the water whether you’re out on a boat or fishing from shore.

Lake Checklist

A day at the lake can be very different depending on the lake you’re heading to, what the weather is going to be, and what your perfect itinerary looks like. For your benefit, we took the time to make a list that will give some ideas for your next trip to a lake near Fort Worth so there’s nothing to stress over!

General items

If you’re going to be on, in, or near the water for most of the weekend, the list below is an excellent place to start when it comes to the necessities to have on hand.

  • A fully stocked cooler
  • Beach blanket
  • Plates, cups and utensils
  • Swimsuits
  • UV protection
  • Bluetooth speaker
  • Cords and a charger for portable devices
  • Food and snacks
  • A sunhat or glasses
  • Garbage bags

Additional lake stuff

Consider the itinerary for the day and who will be joining you, the items below will likely be helpful and adding to your checklist before you make the trip.

  • Rafts and floaties
  • Beach toys (buckets, shovels, football, frisbee, etc.)
  • Life jackets
  • Fishing poles
  • Diapers (if a baby’s on board)
  • Corkscrew
  • Paper towels and sanitizer
  • Masks and snorkels
  • Your tackle box
  • Bait

Staying Safe on a Lake

While the water can provide fun during a day on the lake, failing to follow some simple safety rules can make things turn tragic in a hurry. These safety protocols will ensure that your whole group stays safe at your favorite Fort Worth lake.

  • Avoid drinking alcohol while boating
  • Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are in relation to land
  • Make sure you have a life jacket for every person on the boat
  • Make sure children have swimmies or other approved flotation devices
  • Don’t swim alone
  • Use sunscreen, even if it’s cloudy outside
  • Stay close to shore and avoid areas with shallow water or where the current is strong

More Ideas for Lake Fun

Few people get a chance to make their way to the lakes near Fort Worth and might have a few questions about how to make the most of their time there. Certainly, every lake is going to have their own character and trappings, but here are a couple key points to review when assembling your itinerary that might help put together a trip your whole family will remember.

  1. Pay attention to the beaches. If you pick the wrong time of year, occasionally beaches can get very crowded. To find more space to spread out, do some digging on a variety of lakes in the area to see if you can find one that’s less crowded to find one with a slower pace. If you want to be where the party’s at, search out the biggest, most happening beach!
  2. Maximize unique assets in the area. When there’s time for a lengthier getaway, look for local state campgrounds and parks which give you the ability to camp near or even on the water for a reasonable price.
  3. No boat, no problem. Many lakes have local marinas that offer boat rentals. Boats are expensive to own, but a rental will still allow you to enjoy fishing with family and friends or taking the kids out for some wakeboarding or tubing. Doing a quick Google search will usually allow you to locate several places that can hook you up with the right vessel.