10 Beautiful Lakes In Dallas, Texas - Updated 2023

lakes in dallas
Celeste
Celeste  
Updated
| 4 min read

Dallas is a city in north Texas, about 856 miles (1377 km) from Mexico. It is well-known for its cowboy culture, John F. Kennedy history, parks and gardens. For tourists, some of the best places to stay here include Airbnb vacation rentals and hotels with an in-room kitchen. Some of the city’s top sights include The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, The Dallas World Aquarium, and Dallas Zoo. Let’s not forget the Klyde Warren Park, Perot Museum of Nature and Science, and Six Flags Over Texas. Other than these popular tourist attractions, Dallas is also home to many stunning lakes that will leave you enthralled at the very sight. Here’s a rundown of the most beautiful lakes in Dallas, Texas.

1. Lake Ray Hubbard

Lake Ray Hubbard - Rowlett
Source: Photo by Flickr user Nelo Hotsuma used under CC BY 2.0

We will start the ball rolling with Lake Ray Hubbard. Lake Ray Hubbard was formerly known as Forney Lake, so some of you might know the lake by what it was used to call. It is a freshwater reservoir, 12 metres (39 feet) deep. It’s about a 20-minute drive from The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, which is great if you’re looking to reconnect with nature. It is also one of the biggest lakes in north Texas and perfect for fishing and boating, as well.

Lake Ray Hubbard

Address: Rockwall / Dallas / Collin / Kaufman Counties, Texas, United States

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2. Bachman Lake

DSC_0894
Source: Photo by Flickr user sebas sabes used under CC BY 2.0

Spread across 205 acres (83 ha), Bachman Lake is another freshwater lake, which is located right beside Dallas Love Field Airport. Locals visit Bachman Lake Park for light exercising or biking. There are proper trails around the lake for you to tread on. Have your fill at Chipotle Mexican Grill and get your cup of coffee at the Starbucks at Village At Bachman Lake before heading to Bachman Lake.

Bachman Lake

Address: 3500 W Northwest Hwy Dallas, TX

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3. White Rock Lake

Sunset at White Rock lake
Source: Photo by Flickr user Shiva Shenoy used under CC BY 2.0

White Rock Lake is right beside The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden and a 15-minute drive from Dallas Museum of Art. Located in north-east Dallas, it is a reservoir 4.2 km (2.6 mi) long and 5.49 m (18 ft) deep. Did you know that the lake was formed by damming White Rock Creek? It is now part of White Rock Lake Park, a green space where people gather for leisure activities and picnics.

White Rock Lake

Address: 8300 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX 75218

Website: White Rock Lake

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4. Mountain Creek Lake

Mountain Creek Lake, Dallas Baptist University
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Regrothenberger used under CC BY-SA 3.0

Mountain Creek Lake is a less than 2-minute drive from Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark and in the same vicinity as Prairie Lakes Golf Course and Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery. With a surface area of 2,710 acres (1097 ha), it is 4.43 km (2.8 mi) long and 3.2 km (1.9 mi) wide. Mountain Creek Lake Park Pavilion is the go-to space if you want to enjoy a barbecue session by the lake. There are also restrooms on site.

Mountain Creek Lake

Address: Mountain Creek Lake, Dallas, TX, USA

Website: Mountain Creek Lake

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Nearby Beautiful Lakes

5. Lake Tawakoni

Lake Tawakoni September 2015 1
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Michael Barera used under CC BY-SA 4.0

While most lakes are used for recreational purposes, Lake Tawakoni is used for both recreational activities and water supply. You can find the lake about 61.2 miles (98.4 km) from the heart of Dallas. Lake Tawakoni State Park is a good place to go to if you want to access the lake for camping, swimming, and fishing. However, there aren’t many food options near the lake, so plan ahead, if you don’t want to go about your day with an empty stomach.

Lake Tawakoni

Address: Hunt / Rains / Van Zandt counties, Texas, United States

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6. Joe Pool Lake

Sunrise over Joe Pool Lake
Source: Photo by Flickr user David Baxter used under CC BY-ND 2.0

Joe Pool Lake is a freshwater reservoir similar to Lake Ray Hubbard. It’s about an 18-minute drive from Mountain Creek Lake Park Pavilion. It has a surface area of ‎7,740 acres (3132 ha) and a depth that goes all the way to 75 ft (23 m). The lake got its name after Joe Pool, a congressman who was a representative of the district from 1967 to 1968. The lake opened in 1989 and has several parks surrounding it, including Cedar Hill State Park, Loyd Park, Lynn Creek State Park, and Britton Park.

Joe Pool Lake

Address: FM 1382 and Interstate 20, Cedar Hill, TX 75106

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7. Lake Arlington

North Lake Arlington Texas 2010
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Supportstorm used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

Lake Arlington sits by the border of Arlington, a city in Texas towards the west of Dallas. This man-made lake has a walking path that stretches about 2 miles (3.2 km). While boating is allowed, swimming is prohibited at the lake. There is a picnic area, playground, and washrooms on-site. Lake Arlington Golf Course is the nearest golf course from the lake.

Lake Arlington

Address: 6300 W Arkansas Ln, 76016 Arlington, TX, US

Website: Lake Arlington

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8. Grapevine Lake

Grapevine Lake
Source: Photo by Flickr user Charlie Llewellin used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Situated in the north Texas region, Grapevine Lake has a few parks on its border - Meadowmere Park, Lakeview Park, and Rockledge Park. Grapevine Mills is the nearest shopping mall from the lake. This reservoir has a surface area of 7,280 acres (2,950 ha) and goes all the way to 65 ft (20 m) at its deepest. Here are some of the types of fishes you might catch sight of - white bass, alligator gar, and spotted bass.

Grapevine Lake

Address: Denton / Tarrant counties, North Texas, United States

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9. Lewisville Lake

Lake Lewisville
Source: Photo by Flickr user Aaron Jacobs used under CC BY-SA 2.0

Similar to Grapevine Lake, Lewisville Lake is located in north Texas and about a 40-minute drive from Dallas. It was formerly known as Lake Dallas in 1927, but underwent a change in name to Lewisville Lake after an expansion in the 1940s and 1950s. Many people visit Lewisville Lake for Party Cove, which is close to Westlake Park. As its name suggests, it’s a place where people gather together for party vibes. Think about alcohol, good music, and swimming.

Lewisville Lake

Address: Denton County, Texas

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10. Lavon Lake

Lavon Lake release
Source: Photo by Flickr user U.S. Army Corps o... used under PUBLIC DOMAIN

You can find Lavon Lake in southeast Collin County, Texas. The freshwater reservoir has a depth that is as deep as 38 ft (12 m). You may use the lake for recreational activities like fishing. If you’re planning to do that, make sure you follow the fishing regulations set by the authorities. For fish species such as largemouth, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, and Guadalupe, there’s a daily bag limit of five fishes only.

Lavon Lake

Address: Lavon Lake Office, 3375 Skyview Drive, Wylie, Texas 75098

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An oasis of serenity in Texas

Chasing popular destinations can be tiring during holidays. If you’re in need of some quiet time and respite amid a trip to Dallas, be sure to visit one of the beautiful lakes like Bachman Lake in the city. But if you’re venturing further out into other cities, drop by the nearby beautiful lakes such as Joe Pool Lake. We think Lewisville Lake with its well-known Party Cove would be great for party goers. Just be sure to put on some sunscreen and pack insect repellent before your visit.

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Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Celeste, a writer and traveler, embraces the transient nature of life. She believes that life is a fleeting mist that lingers briefly and then dissipates. Celeste also encourages savoring every...Read more

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