Texas has but one natural lake: Caddo Lake, which is located on the border of Texas and Louisiana. The man-made reservoirs in Texas bring the total of lakes in the Lone Star State to more than 6,700. The four largest lakes in Texas offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, including camping, trail-way hiking and water sports.
Sam Rayburn Lake is located between Beaumont and Longview, Texas. It is the largest reservoir in the state at about 79 miles long, offering 600 miles of shoreline.
Sam Rayburn Lake is an ample source of white and hybrid striped bass for anglers. Visitors can engage in water sports, camping, park tours and scenic trips through the local towns on the eastern and western sides of the lake.
Vacationers can stay in the local towns or at one of the lodging establishments on the shores of Sam Rayburn Lake: Sam Rayburn Lakehouse Bed and Breakfast in Huntington, Texas; Sam Rayburn Lake Vacation House on the Sandy Shore; and The Rousch Guest House on Pigeon Roost Cove.
Lake Sam Rayburn Pavillion Association
5438 County Rd. 255
Jasper, TX 75951
409-698-2790
sam-rayburn-lake.com
Lake Texoma sits along the famed Red River between Texas and Oklahoma. It is the 10th largest lake in the United States with more than 1,000 miles of shoreline. Visitors seeking varied terrain can find their choice along the shores of Lake Texoma; sandy beaches to rocky cliffs.
Visitors can also rent watercraft or bring their own boats. They can store them at any of the several marinas offered on Lake Texoma.
The lake is one hour from Dallas and two hours from Oklahoma City. Smaller towns like Gainsville, Sherman and Pottsboro surround the shoreline of the lake on the Texas side. On the Oklahoma side of the lake lie nearby towns Madill, Tishomingo and Kingston.
Lodging can be found at Pappy's Paradise Bed and Breakfast and Tanglewood Resort and Conference Center in Pottsboro, Texas. Camping is also available throughout the two state parks and 54 parks managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Lake Texoma Office
1074 OU Rd.
Kingston, OK 73439
405-325-7431
lake-texoma.net
Lake Tawakoni has 200 miles of shoreline beginning one hour's drive east of Dallas. The lake was officially designated the "Catfish Capital of Texas" by the Texas Legislature in 2001.
Lake Tawakoni State Park stretches just over five miles on the shore of the lake. Park visitors can take advantage of both woodland trails and shoreline water activities.
The Edgewood Heritage Park and Historic Village in Edgewood, Texas is close to Lake Tawakoni. The village is a nonprofit organization operated by the Edgewood Historical Society.
Lake Tawakoni State Park
10822 FM 2475
Wills Point, TX 75169
903-560-7123
Edgewood Heritage Park Village
106 N. Main Street
Edgewood, TX
903-896-4448
lake-tawakoni.com
Cedar Creek Lake has 320 miles of shoreline and is located 55 miles southeast of Dallas. Tom Finley Park sits on the shore of the lake and is transformed during the holiday season into "Christmas Island." From Thanksgiving to New Year's Day, the park offers light displays and holiday-themed shops from local merchants.
Visitors can take part in water sports, using the local marina to rent water craft or store their own boats.
Lodging is provided by lakeside lodges and cabin resorts, such as Hidden Cedar Lodge in Seven Points, The Cottage on Cedar Creek Lake and The Farmhouse on Hickory Tree Road.
Cedar Creek Lake Chamber of Commerce
604 S. 3rd St., Ste. E
Mabank, TX 75147
903-887-3152
cedarcreekchamber.com
