Skip to main content Texas Outside Texas Outside
  • CAMPING CAMPING
    DEALS ON CAMPING
    Coupons & Specials
    FIND A CAMPGROUND OR RV PARK
    Locate Parks by City or Name North East Texas Parks Central Texas Parks South Texas Parks West Texas Parks East Texas Parks Panhandle Parks
    TEXAS STATE PARKS
    Reviews & Ratings Top 20 Texas State Parks Texas State Parks With Cabins & Cottages 10 Best Texas State Parks For Biking Texas State Parks with Paddling State Park Activities State Parks With Horseback Riding State Parks With Swimming Holes State Parks With Fishing Texas State Park Hiking Trails
    UNIQUE CAMPING
    Glamping In Texas LCRA Parks RV Park Cottages & Cabins Lake Campgrounds & RV Parks Campgrounds With Golf Courses
    REVIEWS & RATINGS
    Texas Outside's Park Review & Ratings Texas Outside's Top 25 Parks Best Texas RV Parks Best Texas State Parks Featured Park of the Month Out of State Campground Reviews
    RECREATIONAL VEHICLES
    RVing in Texas Texas RV Rentals Travel Trailer Rentals Pop-up Rentals Rent Your RV Mobile RV Detailing Texas RV Dealers Texas RV Rally Locations RV Travel Articles Blog Travels With Grandma Blog Exploring Texas Cities Weekend Adventures Fun Things To See & Do In Texas
  • GOLFING GOLFING
    FIND A GOLF COURSE BY CITY
    Locate by Course Name or City Austin Golf Courses Amarillo Golf Courses Corpus Christi Golf Courses Dallas Golf Courses El Paso Golf Courses Ft. Worth Golf Courses Houston Golf Courses San Antonio Golf Courses
    FIND A GOLF COURSE BY REGION
    Central Texas Golf Courses South East Texas Golf Courses North Texas Golf Courses Panhandle Golf Courses South Texas Golf Courses West Texas Golf Courses
    BEST PRIVATE GOLF COURSES BY CITY
    Best Private Golf Courses in Austin Best Private Golf Courses in Dallas Best Private Golf Courses in Houston Best Private Golf Courses in San Antonio
    BEST OF THE BEST GOLF COURSES
    Best of the Best in Texas Best 9 Hole Courses in Texas Best Texas Public Golf Courses Best Texas Private Golf Courses Best Texas Resort Golf Courses Best Public Golf Courses by City
    GOLF COURSE REVIEWS AND RATINGS
    Golf Course Reviews & Ratings Featured Golf Course of the Month Out of State Golf Course Reviews
    GOLF RESORTS & REVIEWS
    Texas Golf Resort Reviews Best Texas Golf Resorts Out of State Golf Resort Reviews
    UNIQUE GOLF COURSES
    Jack Nicklaus Texas Courses Best Rio Grande Valley Golf Courses Best Golf Destinations Most Scenic Holes World's Best Golf Courses
    GOLF STAY & PLAY PACKAGES
    Texas Outside's Stay & Play Reviews Featured Stay & Play of the Month Stay & Play Packages Camp & Play Golf
    GOLF TRAILS
    Texas Golf Trails Florida Golf Trails New Mexico Golf Trails Louisiana Golf Trail
    TEXAS GOLF COMMUNITIES
    Featured Golf Community Best Texas Golf Communities Texas Golf Communities
    GOLF GOODIES
    Golf Coupons & Specials FootGolf Golf Vacations Golf Tips, Techniques, & Other Information Fun & Informative Golf Stories
  • DESTINATIONS DESTINATIONS
    MAPS OF FUN STUFF
    City Maps Central Texas Destinations East Texas Destinations Gulf Coast Destinations North Texas Destinations Panhandle Destinations South Texas Destinations West Texas Destinations
    RESORTS & VACATION RENTALS
    Texas Resorts & Rental Information Texas Resort Reviews Texas Outside Favorite Resorts Featured Texas Resorts Lake Resorts and Rentals Vacation & Get Away Lodging Waterfront Rentals Best Lake Resorts Out of State Resort Reviews
    WEEKEND ADVENTURES
    Weekend Getaways Texas Scenic Drives Thank God For Weekends Fun Things To Do In Texas Bavarian Hill Country Road Trip Highland Lakes Road Trip
    TEXAS FESTIVALS & EVENTS
    Texas Music Home Page Texas Outside's Favorite Events Music Festival & Event Reviews Upcoming Festivals & Events Fun Vacations Texas Road Trippin'
    TEXAS VENUES
    Coupons & Specials Cabins, Resorts, Tipis & Lodging Bed & Breakfasts Best New or Improved Hotels Brewpubs & Breweries Cabins & Cottage Rentals Corporate Retreat Venues Dance Halls & Honky Tonks Dude Ranches Family & Social Reunion Health & Wellness Spas Honeymoons Nature Preserves Romantic Getaways Safari Tents, Eco Domes & TiPis Spas Vintage Trailers & Railcars Wedding Venues Wineries & Wine Trails Yurts, Tiny Houses, & Treehouses
    EXPLORING TEXAS
    20 Must Places to See The Best Texas Small Towns Bluebonnet Trails Golfing Vacations Fun Things To See & Do In Texas Travels With Grandma Texas Best Natural Wonders Texas Islands to Visit Texas Scenic Drives Exploring Texas Cities Texas Best Swimming Holes Texas Attractions Texas Hill Country Texas Gulf Coast Kids Activities
  • VACATIONS VACATIONS
    Texas Vacations Golfing Vacations Fun Filled Vacations Kids and Family Vacations Weekend Adventures Thank God For Weekends Fun Things To Do In Texas Vacation Lodging
  • LAKES LAKES
    FIND A TEXAS LAKE
    Interactive Lake & River Maps Map of Texas Lakes Central Texas Lakes South Texas Lakes Highland Lakes North Texas Lakes West Texas Lakes East Texas Lakes Panhandle Lakes Best Texas Rivers
    TEXAS MARINAS
    Gulf Coast Marinas Marinas by Lake
    TEXAS LAKE REVIEWS & RATINGS
    Lake Reviews & Favorite Lakes Highland Lakes Vacation Guide Highland Lakes Things To Do Featured Lake Of The Month Boating The Highland Lakes
    FISHING GUIDES
    Lake Fishing Guides Gulf Coast Fishing Guides Kayak Fishing Guides
    CABINS & LODGING
    Lake & River Resorts, Cabins, & Lodges Best Lake Resorts Fishing Cabins & Lodges
    BOAT RENTALS, SAILING, & HOUSEBOATS
    Coupons & Specials Kayaking & Canoeing Rentals & Lessons Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals Boat Rentals, Excursions, Tours, & Charters Pontoon Boat Rentals Jet Ski Rentals Sailing Rentals, Lessons & Clubs Houseboating & Houseboat Rentals Party Boat Rentals Eco Tours
  • FISHING FISHING
    Fishing Cabins & Lodges Fly Fishing in Texas Lake & River Fishing Guides Coastal & Deep Sea Fishing Guides Kayak Fishing Guides Best Kayak Fishing Spots in Texas Texas Lake Reviews & Maps Fishing Guides Coupons
  • HUNTING HUNTING
    Texas Shooting Ranges Texas Clay Shooting Hunting Guides Hunting Leases Hunting Lodges & Leases Coupons & Specials
  • VENUES VENUES
    Corporate Retreat Venues Family & Social Reunion Venues Golf Course Corporate Retreats Wedding Venues
  • REVIEWS REVIEWS
    TEXAS OUTSIDE REVIEWS
    Campground & RV Park Reviews Golf Course Reviews Golf Resort Reviews Golf Stay & Play Reviews Lake Reviews Music & Festival Reviews Resort Reviews Out of State Resort Reviews
    TEXAS OUTSIDE FAVORITES
    Best Campgrounds & RV Parks Best Golf Courses Best Texas Lakes Best Music Festivals & Events Best Texas Resorts Top 10 Fun Things To Do In Texas
  • FUN STUFF FUN STUFF
    BROWSE A-E
    Adventure Parks Airborne Adventures Airsoft Fields Arboretum & Botanical Gardens Aquariums Attractions ATV & Jeep Rentals & Tours ATV Offroad Parks Biking Bird Watching Bubble Ball Cable & Wakeboard Parks Canyons & Gorges Caving Challenge / Rope Courses Climbing Spots Disc Golf Drive-in Movie Theaters Escape Rooms
    BROWSE F-O
    Famous Texas Film Locations Flyboarding Flying Trapeze FootGolf Golfing Hike, Bike, & Horse Trails Hiking Horseback Riding & Lessons Jet Ski Rentals Kayaking & Canoeing Kids Activities Kids Camps & Summer Camps Kitesurfing Mud Runs Museums Nature Preserves Obstacle Course Races Off-Road Parks Outdoor Activity Clubs
    BROWSE P-T
    Paint Ball Racetracks & Speedways Rafting Rock Climbing Safari & Wildlife Parks Scenic Drives Scuba & Snorkeling Segway Tours Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals Surfing Swimming Holes Tank Driving Team Building Activities & Games Texas Lake Reviews & Maps Texas Outdoor Weddings Train Rides Tubing
    BROWSE V-Z
    Vacations Wakeboarding Wakesurfing Waterfalls Waterparks Windsurfing Zip Line Tours Zoos
    DEALS ON ACTIVITIES
    Coupons & Specials
    OUTDOOR WEDDINGS
    Wedding Venues Wedding Invitaitons Wedding Vendors Unique Ideas Real Texas Weddings
    TEXAS MUSIC EVENTS & RESOURCES
    Texas Music Upcoming Festivals & Events Texas Outside's Music Festival Reviews Texas Outside's Favorite Music Festivals
Coupons

"Thank God For Weekends"

Exploring Grapevine Lake

August 5, 2006

Grapevine Lake is a relatively small 7,380 acre Corp of Engineer lake with 60 miles of shoreline just north of Dallas Fort Worth Airport. There are seven different parks for camping and/or day use. The lake is fairly shallow particularly at the north end and the shore line is sand/mud and rocks.

Grapevine LakeHuge houses on the lake

If you have a boat, you can usually find some smooth water near the dam, at the northwest end of the lake (be carefully, it is shallow and has some tree stumps), or in some of the small coves. Cruise the north side of the lake and you'll see some magnificent and huge homes. The south side is not developed, except for the lake parks. At the southeast end of the lake is the Gaylord Texan hotel (you can see it but not get to it by water) and they are building (in mid 2006) aLittle Pete's Deck huge bar and restaurant on the shore.

 

Some time during your cruise of Grapevine Lake you need to stop for lunch or dinner at Little Pete's which is in Twin Coves (middle part of the north side of the lake) at the Twin Coves marina. Little Pete's is open year round, has a family atmosphere, a sports bar with a big screen and 12 other TVs, 3 different dining areas, and a great deck on the water. They have live music on Friday and Saturday, acoustic on Thursday and Sunday, and other events.

If you don't have a boat, you can rent a party barge, jet ski, pontoon boat, or large houseboat from Just for Fun to cruise the lake. Grapevine Ducks has amphibious tours of the lake departing from downtown Grapevine.

When the water is down, like it was when these pictures were taken in 2006, you'll find some good sandy/muddy beaches and some islands to beach the boat and swim, fish, or chill out for a while.

There are seven different parks on Grapevine, two of which (Twin Coves and Silver Lake) offer campsites with water and electricity and Oak Grove and Murrell Park have camping with no hookups. The Corp of Engineers is spending over $3 million in 2006 to expand and improve Murrell Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife has a listing of the lake facilities, but it is a little dated and some of the names have changed -- call before you head out to the lake.

Twin Coves ParkMurrill Park SiteMeadowmere Park

Twin Coves is where Texas Outside always parks our rig for the weekend. It is a very clean campground, with a boat ramp, water and electric sites among the trees, and sites that are fairly close to the water. You can leave your boat in the water and sleep well at night because Twin Coves is fairly well protected. One of the other reasons we like Twin Coves is because it has easy access to the Northshore Trail for biking or hiking and it is in the same cove as Little Pete's -- you can walk or bike a half mile or so to Little Pete's, swim across, or sit on the shore in your lawn chair and listen to Little Pete's bands. Read the Texas Outside review of Twin Coves in the Camping Section of Texas Outside. Twin Coves and their rocky shoreline around the cove is good for catfish and crappie.

Fishing is good for crappie, spotted bass, and catfish and excellent for largemouth and white bass. Grapevine Lake has many dropoffs and underwater structure changes that hold largemouth bass. Rocky shorelines and boathouses are also good spots for largemouth bass. The water intake near the dam has a air injection area that attracts white bass.

There are three excellent hike and bike trails on Grapevine Lake, the best known is Northshore. This 9 mile trail wanders in and out of the trees and winds along the shoreline. It is outstanding for mountain biking, very popular, and parts are technically very challenging. You will also enjoy hiking this trail. We love to bike the trail starting at Rockledge Park and stop at Little Pete's for lunch, appetizers, and live music on their deck on the water. The burgers are some of the best in Dallas! You may find it hard to get motivated to getting back on the bike after spending a few hours here.

Crosstimbers Trail

Two of the Grapevine Lake trails, Rockypoint and Crosstimbers are hiking and equestrian trails. You can learn more about the trails by clicking here -- make sure that you click on the trail name to get a little more detail on the trails.

There is plenty to see and do around Grapevine Lake. You can explore the quaint shops in downtown Grapevine, shop at Grapevine Mills Mall, or any of the other nearby towns. Discover Texas can help you find other nearby outdoor activities and fun things. There is a paintball field at the dam if you like paintball. Lots of good restaurants are also nearby -- if you like country music and chicken fried chicken/steak try Love & War in Texas at Grapevine Mills Mall. If you enjoy golf, Cowboys Golf Club and Grapevine Golf Course are both on the other side of the dam -- read a review of each of them and find some other nearby courses to play.

Click here to see more pictures of Grapevine Lake.

 

Return to: Texas Outside Home Page; Texas Outside Camping; Texas Outside Golfing; Discover Texas; Thank God For Weekends; or Texas Outside Lakes

Texas Outside Newsletter

Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
Texas Outside
social-media-facebook social-media-twitter social-pinterest professional-network-linkedin

Company

  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • Work With Us

Links

  • Coupons & Specials
  • What's New
  • Cool Links
  • Link To Our Site
Privacy Policy | Site Map
arrow-button-up-1
© 1996-2021 Texas Outside