Are you dreaming of lakeside living? For Dallas residents, the dream of living by the water is closer than you might think. Just a short drive away from the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are some fantastic lakeside communities. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the best lakes near Dallas to call home.
Best Lakes near Dallas
1. Lake Lewisville
Lake Lewisville is one of the largest lakes near Dallas, spanning 29,000 acres with 233 miles of shoreline. Located in Denton County, just 40 minutes north of Dallas.
The lake is surrounded by 9,000 acres of protected land, making it an ideal spot for hiking and biking. Lake Lewisville is also considered one of the most family-friendly lakes in the area, with marinas, lake-side restaurants, and plenty of spots to swim, kayak, or canoe.
It’s known as the Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas, making it a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.
Lake Communities near Dallas on Lake Lewisville
If you’re looking for lake communities near Dallas located along Lake Lewisville, consider exploring Dallas suburbs like Lewisville, Highland Village, Frisco, and Little Elm.
Little Elm is a popular lake community near Dallas that is located on Lake Lewisville. Home to Little Elm Beach which is perfect for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and biking. It’s also home to volleyball courts, an outdoor restaurant, and plenty of spots to relax and enjoy the sun and surf. Throughout the year, Little Elm Beach hosts community events, including Easter egg hunts, July 4th celebrations and Christmas celebrations.
2. Lake Ray Hubbard
Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the largest lakes near Dallas, spanning across Dallas, Kaufman, Collin, and Rockwall counties. Located just 28 minutes from Dallas, Lake Ray Hubbard Lake is a swimming lake near Dallas. The lake is a perfect spot for watersports, fishing, and swimming.
There are many waterfront parks on Lake Ray Hubbard including Windsurf Bay Park. Windsurf Bay Park is a 42-acre park just west of Lake Ray Hubbard and is a great spot for families with a waterfront playground. The park itself extends out into the lake, so you have water on both sides. The park has two distinct beaches, both ideal for swimming, a playground, picnic pavilion, and more.
Lake Communities near Dallas on Lake Ray Hubbard
If you want to live near Lake Ray Hubbard, look into lake communities near Dallas, such as Forney, Wylie, Rockwall, Heath, and Rowlett.
There is also Sapphire Bay Lagoon which is a much-anticipated $1 billion development on Lake Ray Hubbard that is expected to open in late 2023. Located in the Rowlett section of Lake Ray Hubbard the development will feature a resort as well as apartments, condos and single-family homes for the ultimate lake living near Dallas.
3. Lake Lavon
Lake Lavon is one of the best lakes near Dallas. Located an hour from Dallas, it offers more than 121 miles of shoreline is a hotspot for fishing, and is known for its bass and catfish.
With a maximum depth of 35’, it’s also a perfect spot for boating and jet-skiing.
Pebble Beach Park in Wylie is a designated swim area and has picnic spots, a boat ramp, and more. The park also has a 25-mile multi-purpose trail for hikers, joggers, and horseback riders that winds around the lake.
Many homes in the area have direct access to the lake via private docks, and the area tends to have great tree cover, making it cooler in the summer. It’s one of the best lakes near Dallas for a lake house.
Lake Communities near Dallas on Lake Lavon
For lake communities near Dallas on Lake Lavon, you can explore Dallas suburbs such as Lavon, Princeton, Wylie, St. Paul, and Lucas. The area has a small-town vibe, making it popular among families who want a more rural-feeling community.
4. Eagle Mountain Lake
Eagle Mountain Lake is one of the best lakes near Fort Worth and Dallas, known for its crystal-clear water. Located an hour away from Dallas and just 35 minutes from Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake is one of the best lake communities near Dallas. It is popular among families who want to live in a vacation-like atmosphere.
Eagle Mountain Lake is a great lake for fishing. It’s a popular lake for sport fishing- large-mouth bass, spotted bass, catfish, and white bass are plentiful.
Eagle Mountain Lake is also popular for water-skiing, wakeboarding, and swimming. It is also home to the Fort Worth Boat Club, one of the largest and best-known sailing clubs in the area.
Eagle Mountain Lake has two distinct sides: the Fort Worth side and the Azle side. If you have to commute to downtown Fort Worth, you should live on the west side of Eagle Mountain due to its close proximity to Highway 199.
Lake Communities near Fort Worth on Eagle Mountain Lake
For lake communities near Fort Worth near Eagle Mountain Lake, you can explore Pelican Bay, Azle, Pecan Acres, Briar and Eagle Mountain.
5. Lake Palestine
Lake Palestine is a lake within 2 hours of Dallas- located just a short one hour and 45-minute drive from Dallas.
Lake Palestine covers an impressive 40 square miles across Anderson, Cherokee, Henderson, and Smith Counties. The 18-mile-long lake is a haven for boating, fishing, water skiing, RVing, camping, canoeing, and hiking.
With over a dozen public boat ramps and beach areas, Lake Palestine caters to water enthusiasts. Several marinas are scattered along its shores, many of which offer boat and jet ski rentals. Whether you’re an avid angler or simply seek a serene lakeside escape, Lake Palestine is a great lake to go to.
Lake Communities near Dallas on Lake Palestine
Lake communities on Lake Palestine include Shadybrook, Teaselville, Chandler and Frankston.
6. Lake Texoma
When it comes to escaping the hustle and bustle of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Lake Texoma is one of the best lakes near Dallas. Located a little further out, Lake Texoma is an hour and a half north of the city, this sprawling lake straddles the Texas-Oklahoma border and stretches across 89,000 acres, making it one of the largest reservoirs in the region.
One of the unique aspects of Lake Texoma is its management by the Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps owns all property up to 30 feet from the shoreline, which eliminates the need for property owners to invest in costly retaining walls or barriers. This regulation makes Lake Texoma a haven for those seeking a pristine and unspoiled lakeside experience.
Lake Communities near Dallas on Lake Texoma
For lake communities on Lake Texoma, explore Sherwood Shores, Preston and Cambridge. You can get lakeside properties with amazing views of Lake Texoma from these communities.
7. Lake Granbury
If you’re looking for a lake community near Fort Worth, Lake Granbury is an ideal place to live. Located about 50 minutes from Fort Worth, accessible via US-377, and just an hour and 20 minutes from Dallas, Lake Granbury is one of the best lakes near Fort Worth.
Lake Granbury is also a haven for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is teeming with various fish species, including catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, and sunfish, providing ample opportunities for angling without ever leaving your property.
Lake Communities near Fort Worth on Lake Granbury
The city of Granbury encompasses a significant portion of the lake, with the Brazos River flowing right through town. Other subdivision lake communities on Lake Granbury include Mallard Pointe, DeCordova Bend Estates, Harbor Lakes, Bentwater on Lake Granbury and Waters Edge.