Texas Lakes

Location:

Austin, TX

Highlights:

Looking for the perfect mix of nature and city vibes? Lady Bird Lake is the sparkling centerpiece of downtown Austin—ideal for kayaking, outdoor concerts, and scenic walks with skyline views.

We Recommend This For:

Runners, bikers, paddlers, music lovers, and anyone wanting to soak in Austin’s outdoorsy spirit right in the heart of the city.

What we Love:

The 10-mile trail, boat-friendly waters (no motors!), live music at Auditorium Shores, and the easy access to Zilker Park and downtown activities.

• Walk or bike the 10.1-mile loop trail that circles the lake—perfect for a peaceful solo stroll or an energetic morning run.
• Paddle out from Zilker Park with your kayak or canoe—motorized watercraft are prohibited to keep the vibe calm and clean.
• Relax at Auditorium Shores, where open-air concerts draw crowds and create a laid-back local atmosphere.
• Fish responsibly (catch and release only)—due to chlordane pollution, the fish are not safe to eat.
• Look, don’t swim—the lake is beautiful but swimming is not allowed due to water quality concerns.

Address (Auditorium Shores Access):

900 West Riverside Drive, Austin, TX 78704
Phone: 512-974-6700

Location:

Conroe, TX

Highlights:

Want to splash into one of East Texas’s top lake destinations? Lake Conroe is your go-to for jet-skiing, boating, and fishing—plus it’s surrounded by scenic pine forests from the nearby Sam Houston National Forest.

We Recommend This For:

Water sports lovers, families, fishing enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a lake day packed with outdoor fun and scenic surroundings.

What we Love:

Boat-friendly waters, picnic-ready parks, solid bass fishing, and two sandy swimming areas at the family-friendly Lake Conroe Park.

• Play on 21,000 acres of man-made lake designed for boating, jet-skiing, and water recreation just an hour from Houston.
• Visit the popular Lake Conroe Park for boat slips, fishing piers, playgrounds, grills, volleyball, horseshoe pits, and two swim areas.
• Fish for largemouth, striped, and white bass, bluegill, and catfish—this lake is a prime angler’s spot year-round.
• Relax under towering evergreens along the lake’s edge as it winds into the Sam Houston National Forest for a peaceful nature break.

Address (Lake Conroe Park Access):

210 W. Davis Street, Conroe, TX 77304
Phone: 936-788-8302

Location:

New Braunfels, TX

Highlights:

If you’re dreaming of clear water, rolling hills, and endless outdoor fun, Canyon Lake is your Hill Country haven. With eight surrounding parks, boat ramps, trails, and even dinosaur footprints, this reservoir offers something for every kind of adventurer.

We Recommend This For:

Boaters, swimmers, campers, fossil enthusiasts, families, and anyone wanting a scenic, activity-packed Texas getaway.

What we Love:

The mix of fun on the water, the dramatic Hill Country setting, excellent bass fishing, and the ancient geology revealed in Canyon Lake Gorge.

• Swim, boat, or camp at one of eight parks created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers around the reservoir.
• Launch from convenient boat ramps in the Comal County area for a day on the lake.
• Fish for largemouth, white, and striped bass, or cast a line for catfish in this well-stocked body of water.
• Tour Canyon Lake Gorge to see 100-million-year-old rock layers, fossil beds, and actual dinosaur tracks during a guided hike.
• Explore a network of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails that wind through scenic Hill Country terrain.

Address:

Hwy. 306 West, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Phone: 210-964-3341

Location:

Jasper, TX

Highlights:

If fishing tournaments, boating, and forested lake views sound like your kind of weekend, Sam Rayburn Reservoir delivers all that and more. This East Texas gem is a favorite for serious anglers and nature-loving families alike.

We Recommend This For:

Fishermen, boaters, campers, and anyone seeking a large, uncrowded lake surrounded by pine-scented tranquility.

What we Love:

Over 300 fishing tournaments a year, reliable catches like largemouth bass and crappie, and the peaceful feel of the East Texas pine forest setting.

• Fish a stocked reservoir renowned for largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, red ear sunfish, and channel catfish—perfect for tournament pros and casual anglers alike.
• Play on the water with activities like waterskiing, boating, and swimming.
• Relax on land by camping, hiking, or taking scenic drives through the surrounding forested areas.
• Access the lake easily through numerous campgrounds, resorts, and marinas around its massive shoreline.
• Appreciate the dual purpose of the reservoir: not just recreation, but flood control and drinking water for nearby communities.

Address:

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Worth District, Jasper, TX 75957
Phone: 409-384-5716

Romantic Texas Lakes:

Location:

Burkeville, TX / Louisiana border

Highlights:

Straddling Texas and Louisiana, Toledo Bend Lake is a sprawling 1,200-mile shoreline reservoir perfect for laid-back beach days and serious fishing trips alike. It’s the South’s largest lake—and it delivers big on both beauty and fun.

We Recommend This For:

Anglers, families, boaters, beach lovers, and anyone looking for a scenic outdoor escape with wide-open water and pine-lined shores.

What we Love:

Sandy beach access, world-class fishing, calm boating waters, and the pine-draped landscape that gives this lake its tranquil charm.

• Swim and play along sandy beaches that are ideal for sunbathing, sandcastle building, and lakeside picnicking.
• Boat safely in the calm waters—just stay within marked boat lanes to avoid submerged stumps left during reservoir creation.
• Fish for striped bass, bluegill, and catfish, especially during the peak spring and autumn months when the bite is best.
• Explore the scenic setting of rolling hills and towering pine trees that surround the reservoir’s expansive shoreline.
• Visit the largest man-made lake in the South—built in 1969 and offering recreation across both Texas and Louisiana.

Address:

Sabine River Authority of Texas, 450 TX-135 Spur, Burkeville, TX 75932
Phone: 409-565-2273

Location:

Caddo, TX

Highlights:

Craving sparkling blue water, Texas wilderness, and lakeside adventure? Possum Kingdom State Park is just an hour west of Dallas/Fort Worth and delivers big on fishing, boating, camping, and classic CCC-era history.

We Recommend This For:

Anglers, families, campers, scuba divers, and anyone who loves a cool lake retreat in the Texas sun.

What we Love:

Crystal-clear lake water, full-service marina rentals, longhorn sightings, and a mix of rustic cabins and modern campsites.

• Swim, dive, or paddle in the clear blue lake—ideal for waterskiing, snorkeling, and boating under sunny Texas skies.
• Fish from the pier, a personal boat, or a canoe rental, with good odds of landing largemouth, striped, and white bass, plus catfish and crappie.
• Rent wakeboards, water skis, kneeboards, or tubes at the park marina to add some high-speed fun to your lake day.
• Stay overnight at a full-hookup campground or unwind in an air-conditioned cabin just steps from the water.
• Watch for iconic free-roaming Texas longhorns as you hike or drive through this scenic 1,500-acre park built in the 1940s by the CCC.

Address:

3901 State Park Road 33, Caddo, TX 76429
Phone: 940-549-1803

Location:

Whitney, TX

Highlights:

Looking for a peaceful getaway with scenic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and lakeside fun? Lake Whitney State Park is a beloved retreat on the Brazos River that blends wild Texas beauty with excellent outdoor recreation.

We Recommend This For:

Birdwatchers, campers, nature photographers, families, and anyone seeking a relaxing lake escape with wildflowers and wildlife.

What we Love:

Springtime bluebonnets, 195 bird species to spot, shady oak groves, and plenty of space to explore the waters of the Brazos.

• Explore landscapes of tallgrass prairie, live oaks, and blackjack oaks—remnants of the once-sprawling Texas plains.
• Watch for wildlife including white-tailed deer, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes, plus an impressive array of bird species from bald eagles to bluebirds.
• Stay overnight in a campsite or screened shelter—or book a group facility for family gatherings or scout weekends.
• Enjoy day-use amenities like picnic tables, boat slips, fishing spots, and swimming areas along Lake Whitney’s clear shoreline.
• Visit in spring to catch colorful blooms of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush lighting up the Texas hillside.

Address:

433 FM 1244, Whitney, TX 76692
Phone: 817-694-3793

Family-friendly Texas Lakes:

Location:

60 miles northwest of Austin, TX

Highlights:

If you’re looking for big skies, big water, and quiet charm, Lake Buchanan delivers. It’s the second-largest Highland Lake and offers everything from striped bass fishing to bald eagle spotting—plus sunsets that’ll make you want to stay forever.

We Recommend This For:

Birdwatchers, anglers, families, swimmers, and anyone in search of a peaceful Texas lakeside retreat with wide-open views and wildlife nearby.

What we Love:

Nesting eagles, cozy cabins and campgrounds, excellent fishing, and the undeveloped feel of its gravel beaches and forested hills.

• Swim, sunbathe, or fish from Lake Buchanan’s long gravel shores—ideal for low-key days on the water.
• Catch striped bass in some of the best fishing waters in the Highland Lakes chain.
• Watch for bald eagles and dozens of other bird species including great blue herons, pelicans, and roadrunners—bring your binoculars!
• Stay in a lakeside cabin, home rental, or campground with easy access to the shoreline’s 124 miles of quiet beauty.
• Spot wildlife including foxes, bobcats, deer, chameleons, and even armadillos wandering the surrounding hills and brushland.

Address:

Lake Buchanan, TX
General Info: See local listings for campgrounds and rentals

Location:

Texas-Oklahoma Border

Highlights:

If you love outdoor adventures on a massive, scenic reservoir, Lake Texoma is a must-visit destination. With over 1,000 miles of shoreline and endless activities, it’s a hotspot for anglers, campers, and water lovers alike.

We Recommend This For:

Fishermen, boaters, campers, birdwatchers, and families looking for a large lake with plenty of outdoor fun and scenic views.

What we Love:

The sprawling size of the lake, the prime striped bass fishing, and the numerous trails and campsites that let you fully immerse yourself in nature.

• Swim at the sandy beaches, or enjoy sunbathing and picnicking with views of the vast lake.
• Camp in one of over 700 campsites, perfect for weekend getaways or extended stays.
• Fish for trophy striped bass (up to 15–20 lbs) and catch crappie or catfish in the lake’s mineral-rich waters.
• Hike or ride along 25 miles of trails, including equestrian routes and hikes to scenic bluffs with panoramic lake views.
• Rent a boat for a day on the water, or enjoy other amenities like concessions and nearby wildlife refuges home to diverse bird species.

Address:

Lake Texoma, Texas/Oklahoma Border