10 Things to do After Dinner in Galveston
10 Best Lakes in Texas
Which Lakes in Texas are Popular to Visit?
No two Texas lakes are the same and each has something special to offer, whether that’s a forested bayou teeming with gators or a refreshing oasis on the Mexican border. Texas lakes make the perfect vacation (or a carefree weekend road trip). There’s always something exciting to do including swimming, fishing, camping, and jet skiing.
Read our travel guide below to find a Texas lake for you. The Lone Star State may be known for its cattle, cowboys, and country music, but its bodies of water are just as cool.
1. Lake Travis
Spend a weekend or a week
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Food
Lake Travis is a picturesque reservoir on the Colorado River spanning 7,600 hectares. This popular vacation spot teems with hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues, but its major drawcard is its abundance of watersports.
From sunrise yacht cruises to diving and flyboarding, there’s an aquatic activity to suit any mood. You can visit Captain Pete’s Boat House for waterfront dining before stopping at Caddie Shack for beer and live music.
Location: Northwest of Austin, Travis County, TX, USA
Lake Travis
2. Caddo Lake
An East Texas treasure
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
At 25,000 acres, Caddo Lake is no shrinking violet. This atmospheric bayou sits on the border between Texas and Louisiana and is known for its ethereal ropes of Spanish moss that hang from the branches of its towering cypress trees.
You can canoe across the water in search of gators or pitch your tent in one the park’s 46 campsites (including back-to-basics settings or sites with full hookups). Rentable lakeside cabins provide you with an authentic, rustic experience while 2.5 miles of trails deliver unforgettable hiking.
Location: Northwest of Shreveport, Marion County, TX, USA
Open: Daily from 8.15 am to 4.15 pm
Caddo Lake
3. Inks Lake
Get back to nature
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Deep in Texas Hill Country, you’ll find Inks Lake: a sparkling blue reservoir on the Colorado River that delivers fun in the water and on the land. An hour’s drive northwest of Austin, this pristine state park boasts picturesque hiking trails through verdant forests and open-air dining in the picnic pavilion.
If spending time on the water is your thing, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats. From land, you can cast a line for catfish at one of the lake’s two fishing piers. For an Instagram-worthy adventure, you’ll want to visit the famed Devil’s Waterhole – the perfect cooling-off spot on a hot Texas day.
Location: 3630 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 512-793-2223
Inks Lake
4. Lady Bird Lake
An oasis in the heart of Austin
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
With spectacular views of the Austin skyline, Lady Bird Lake offers unbeatable respite during The Lone Star State’s warmer seasons. Swimming is illegal here, but you can easily hire watercraft at a number of joints including The Expedition School, Rowing Dock, and Zilker Park Boat Rentals.
If you swing by Waller Creek Boathouse, you can book a stand-up paddleboard or kayak for an afternoon on the water. Close by, you can enjoy eclectic dining at a range of eateries including seafood at Café Blue, sushi and cocktails at Marker 10, and southern cuisine at Stella San Jac.
Location: South of East Cesar Chavez and north of Riverside, Austin, TX, USA
Lady Bird Lake
5. Canyon Lake
A Texas Hill Country haven
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
Canyon Lake is an 8,200-acre reservoir on the Guadalupe River that boasts a range of facilities including picnic spots with grills, rentable pavilions, and a 3-lane boat ramp. At Swimming Beach #1, you’ll find powder-soft shores, goal posts for soccer games, and a sandy volleyball court.
If you’re a nature lover, you can search for white-tailed deer or – if you’re a birding enthusiast – keep an eye out for the ever-elusive roadrunner. Canyon Lake also provides ample opportunities for world-class fishing thanks to its abundance of striped, white, and largemouth bass.
Location: Northeast of San Antonio, Comal County, TX, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 10 pm
Canyon Lake
6. Lake Texoma
One of America’s largest reservoirs
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Food, Adventure
Located on the Texas-Oklahoma border, 60 miles north of Dallas-Fort Worth, Lake Texoma draws visitors with its enviable fishing, rustic accommodation, hiking and biking trails, and 20 scenic campgrounds. Anglers frequently come here to catch channel catfish, black crappie, spotted bass, and bluegill.
As wild as it might look, you’ll find Lake Texoma is modernized with a number of marinas including Cedar Bayou, Willow Springs, and Alberta Creek Resort. At Flowing Wells, you can rent a floating cabin with panoramic views for a memorable vacation out on the water.
Location: North of Dallas, Grayson County, TX, USA
Lake Texoma
7. Lake Conroe
A magical place with mass appeal
Good for: Couples, Families
A 21,000-acre lake in Montgomery County, Lake Conroe dazzles with its 157 miles of unspoiled shoreline and romantic multi-hued sunsets. This beautiful body of water is loved by both adrenaline junkies and respite seekers thanks to its range of sites and attractions.
You can spend a day on the lake catching prized trophy fish or board a thatched Cruisin’ Tiki boat for cocktails on the water. Alternatively, you can hire a jet ski, swim at Scott’s Ridge, or stroll the scenic trailheads at WG Jones State Forest.
Location: North of Houston, Montgomery County, TX, USA
Phone: +1 877-426-6763
Lake Conroe
8. Possum Kingdom Lake
Cool off in canyon country
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Adventure
Possum Kingdom Lake is located along the majestic Brazos River, 80 miles west of Fort Worth, Texas. This popular vacation spot is packed with things to see and do, including swimming, fishing, boating, and snorkeling.
You can bed down in one of the lake’s air-conditioned cabins or park your RV at the Spanish Oaks campsite (complete with water hookups, picnic tables, grilling facilities, and showers). Chaparral Ridge Trail offers a rugged hike through juniper woodland while Lakeview charms with its prairies filled with wildflowers.
Location: West of Fort Worth, Palo Pinto County, TX, USA
Open: Daily from 8 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 940-659-3341
Possum Kingdom Lake
9. Amistad Reservoir
Remote relaxation
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Adventure
Situated on the Rio Grande River, Amistad Reservoir is a stark desert oasis marked by warm clear waters, stony shorelines, and an array of rugged limestone cliffs that deliver panoramic views. As a visitor, you can come here to fish, boat, scuba dive, picnic, or cool off on a searing afternoon.
To the west, Seminole Canyon reveals Native American pictographs dating back 4,000 years that were discovered in far-flung gullies. This breathtaking state park offers some of the best hiking in The Lone Star State as well as scenic primitive camping.
Location: West of San Antonio, Val Verde County, TX, USA
Amistad Reservoir
10. Lake O’ the Pines
Sleep under the stars
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Adventure
Lake O’ the Pines is set on Big Cypress Bayou in Marion Country, Texas. Spanning nearly 17,000 acres and encircled by towering pine trees, this enchanting body of water draws visitors with its easy-access boat ramps, waterfront cabin rentals, and mesmerizing sunsets.
If you venture here, you can catch bluegill sunfish, chain pickerel, flathead catfish, and largemouth bass. Lake O’ the Pines also offers first-rate camping across a number of sites including the Bushy Creek, Johnson Creek, and Alley Creek campgrounds.
Location: Northwest of Shreveport, Marion County, TX, USA
Lake O' the Pines
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.