It鈥檚 July so that can mean only one thing in these parts 鈥� it鈥檚 blistering hot outside. If you鈥檙e a seasoned Texan, meaning you鈥檝e lived here through at least one North Texas summer, you know there are only two ways to stay cool during this time of year:
1. Stay indoors until the second week in October.
2. Take a dip in an invigorating body of water.
Lucky for us, the Dallas-Fort Worth area has many lakes perfect for boating, water sports, fishing and just plain cooling off.
To help you pick, we鈥檝e created a list of some of our favorite area lakes.
Remember to check the websites or social media for each lake for maps, hours and other details. You can find more events at .
The 7,500-acre lake in the southern part of the D-FW is a favorite destination for boating, camping, fishing and water sports. The lake borders several parks, each of which offers unique activities.
has an abundance of picnic areas, campsites and boat ramps, and it鈥檚 also home to the. The center pays tribute to the Penn Farm and other small, middle-class farmsteads that once occupied the area and features reconstructed and historic buildings from the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s.
If you鈥檙e a camper, you鈥檒l want to check out. You鈥檒l have your choice of an 18-room lodge, 221 campsites, eight cabins and even two yurts for a glamping experience. Canoes and kayaks for the paddling trail are also available for rent.
has 100-plus picnic shelters, a swimming beach and the, which offers boat rentals. Online reservations are highly recommended for day passes and campsite use. Outdoor pavilions can be rented in advance.
: Addresses vary by park.
This refreshing spring-fed lake sits on 30 acres and features two sandy beaches, six diving boards, a 20-foot slide and a 25-foot trapeze. There鈥檚 also plenty of shade, picnic tables and grills for cooking.
1200 Meandering Road, Fort Worth. $20 admission.
Located east of Dallas in Collin, Dallas, Rockwall and Kaufman counties, Lake Ray Hubbard spans 22,000 acres, making it one of the largest lakes in our region and a great place for camping, fishing and water sports, including boating with multiple parks and marinas to choose from. Kayakers will want to take a spin around and take in the beautiful scenery, including views of g-reat blue herons, bald eagles and other wildlife.
: Addresses vary by park.
You鈥檒l feel like you鈥檙e taking a mini vacation to Italy when you explore Lake Carolyn and the Mandalay Canals in Irving. Located in the heart of Irving in Las Colinas, the 125-acre man-made lake offers water activities year-round and a 2.8-mile walking trail if you prefer to stay dry. offers excursions that range from one-hour cruises to evening rides in a canopied gondola complete with an Italian dinner and wine. Those into water sports can rent paddleboards or take lessons at. It also rents kayaks and giant duck and swan pedal boats.
Las Colinas Boulevard East and El Lago Boulevard, Irving.
Make a day of it and head north about an hour from D-FW to this 29,350-acre reservoir that鈥檚 a prime location for swimming, boating and fishing. There鈥檚 also a 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor with 10 miles of hike-and-bike trails and 12 miles of horseback riding trails. Explore the lake on a kayak or make a party of it on a pontoon boat. You can rent both at or. If camping is your thing, head to Isle Du Bois and Johnson Branch. The two camping and recreation areas within have hundreds of campsites to choose from. Online reservations are recommended.
Lake Ray Roberts State Park, 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point.
Head north to Collin County and this 21,400-acre lake known for fishing 鈥� specifically largemouth bass, blue catfish, sunfish and crappie. Other amenities include 19 boat ramps, five beaches, over 200 camping sites, six areas for large group picnics and a variety of lakeside parks. features horseback riding trails, and, a 9-mile equestrian and hiking trail, is also nearby. Be sure to check the for any closures.
Addresses vary by park.
At a whopping 29,592 acres, Lewisville Lake is one of the largest bodies of water in North Texas. Enjoy 233 miles of shoreline that include campgrounds, golf courses, hike-and-bike trails, parks and beaches. Spend the day enjoying activities such as sand and beach volleyball at, shoreline fishing at or at. The lake, with 17 ramps around the lake, is also a popular destination for boating. Be sure to check the for details on closures and boat ramp access.
Those who want to get close to nature should check out the The 2,000-acre wildlife management area features bottomland forests, prairies and wetlands. There are hiking trails as well as opportunities for birdwatching, camping, canoeing, fishing and kayaking.
: Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville.
True, you can鈥檛 swim at White Rock Lake 鈥� high levels of bacteria and nutrients in the lake make it unsafe for humans 鈥� but there are so many activities at this urban oasis, it's no wonder many call it 鈥渢he jewel of Dallas.鈥�
Take a stroll through the and view an exhibition or catch a play. The art deco building has a gallery space and a black box theater and is home to several theater companies. Your canine friends can enjoy romping at the newly renovated on the northwest side of the lake. Rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak from and explore the flora and fauna along the shore or the many creeks that feed into the lake. You can also enjoy the water from a sailboat cruise on the. Finally, sit out on a pier, watch the sunset and tell stories of the ghostly.
8300 Garland Rd., Dallas.
The is a partnership between 四虎影院 and The Dallas Morning News.
Got a tip? Email Therese Powell at tpowell@kera.org.
Arts Access is an arts journalism collaboration powered by The Dallas Morning News and 四虎影院.
This community-funded journalism initiative is funded by the Better Together Fund, Carol & Don Glendenning, City of Dallas OAC, The University of Texas at Dallas, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, Eugene McDermott Foundation, James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, Jennifer & Peter Altabef and The Meadows Foundation. The News and 四虎影院 retain full editorial control of Arts Access鈥� journalism.
