Texas lakes are legendary – it is a land of many lakes, most of them man-made. There are big lakes, small lakes, long lakes and wide lakes all across the great state of Texas. If you are looking for amenities like marinas, boat-up restaurants, shorefront shopping or swimming beaches, there’s a lake for you. If you’re looking for nature, hiking, woods, endless scenic beauty or trophy fishing, there’s a lake for you too.
Map of Texas Lakes
Highest Rated Lakes
Texas Lakes & Boating – Lake Reviews, Boat Rentals, Cabins, and More
Texas has around 300 navigable lakes with over 4,959 square miles of fresh water to enjoy for picnicking, fishing, camping, and boating and it doesn’t get much better than on a hot summer day spending time at one of the Texas lakes. The Texas Lakes & Boating section of Texas Outside will help you quickly find a lake in Texas and learn more about it by reading Texas Outside’s lake reviews. In Texas Lakes & Boating you’ll also find boat rentals (sail, power boats, stand up paddle-boards, kayaks, and houseboats), clickable lake maps, lake cabins for rent, Texas fishing guides, lake campgrounds or lake resorts, and our list of the “best lakes in Texas.”
Lake Cabin Rentals & Lake Resorts
If you’re headed to a lake, why not make it a weekend or longer and stay in one of the many Texas lake resorts or lake rental cabins. In this section of Texas Outside you’ll find some excellent Texas lake rental properties, fishing cabins and lodges, and resorts loaded with plenty of amenities on most of the larger lakes in Texas.
Boat Rentals In Texas
If you’re going to a Texas lake and don’t have a boat this section lists boat rental locations by lake. You’ll typically find pontoons, ski boats, fishing boats, and wave runners to rent on most of the big lakes in Texas. And you can also find a lake where you can rent a houseboat or party barge, a kayak or standup paddle-board.
Fishing Guides & Fishing Cabins
If you want to catch some big fish for a trophy on your wall or a delicious fish fry all your friends, then you need to talk to one of the Texas fishing guides. We’ll show you lists of the best freshwater and saltwater fishing guides. If you’re going for a weekend of fishing, then check out any of these fishing cabins.
Texas Lake Reviews & Ratings
In this section you can use some Texas maps to quickly locate a lake, read Texas Outside’s review and rating of the lake, and find a list of Texas Outside’s favorite lakes. The detailed lake reviews have lots of information about the lake, loads of pictures, and a rating based on several different criteria like water clarity, fun things to do, safety, and more.
Find a Texas Lake
If you’re looking for a lake to enjoy next weekend, this section will help you quickly find a lake by city, name, or Texas region. Once you find a lake in Texas that you want to visit, when you click on the lake icon on the map you’ll find a link to the lake’s website or Texas Outside review and rating of the lake – both of which have lots of good information.
Fishing Guides & Boat Rental Coupons
If you’re going to rent a boat for a fun day on the lake or hire a fishing guide, then check out these Texas fishing guide and Texas boat rental coupons and discounts. To save some of your hard earned money, all you need to do is select a coupon, print it, and then present it to the fishing guide or boat rental staff.
Cool Texas Lake Maps
These cool (at least we think they are cool) lake maps of a number of fun Texas Lakes allow you to quickly find: something to do on the lake, a lake cabin or resort, lake campgrounds, fishing guides, marinas and ramps, restaurants, party coves, boat rentals, and lots more plus links to Texas Outside’s review and rating of the lake.
Highland Lakes of Texas
The Highland Lakes of Texas is comprised of 7 of the best lakes in Texas – Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Marble Falls Lake, Lake Travis, Lake Austin, and Lady Bird Lake. Here you’ll find lots of great information on the Highland Lakes – places to stay, fishing guides and boat rentals, fun things to do, and lots more.
Texas Lake Articles
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8 Things to Do Around (not in) Austin
The regions surrounding Austin teem with activities and attractions, festivals, natural beauty, rich culture, and quaint small towns and communities. This article explores attractions and activities outside of the dynamic city limits of Austin, Texas.On your next visit to Austin, you may find it fun and entertaining to visit at least some of these attractions Read more…
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From Serenity to Adventure: Natural Lakes in Texas
Across the sprawling landscapes of Texas, a tapestry of lakes beckons adventurers and nature lovers alike. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) acknowledges over 200 major lakes within the state. Each contributes to the rich biodiversity and recreational opportunities that Texas offers. These lakes range from intimate five-acre gems to the expansive Toledo Bend, Read more…
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Fun Things To Do In Austin
Austin has so many options for arts, dining, entertainment, history, museums, natural spaces within its city limits, nightlife, shopping, state political engagement, and outdoor activities like biking and mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and wildlife watching. Most Austinites have not seen and done all there is to do in Texas’ Capital City. Of course, it Read more…
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Discover the Best Lakes in Texas: Scenic Spots for Boating, Fishing, and Watersports
Some of Texas’ lakes are famous for bass fishing, like Lake Texoma for striped bass and Lake Fork for largemouth bass. Some are well-known for party spots like Possum Kingdom Lake. And some are famous for a copious amount of activities and entertainment like Lake Grapevine and Lake Travis or for wildlife viewing and kayaking, Read more…
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Journey Through Texas’ 80 Paddling Trails: A Canoe and Kayak Enthusiast’s Dream!
Are you ready for an adventure across Texas like no other? Picture yourself gliding through shimmering waters, surrounded by the diverse beauty of Texas’ landscapes—from serene pine forests to the rugged Hill Country and the expansive Gulf Coast. Welcome to the Texas Paddling Trails, a paddler’s paradise encompassing 80 well-mapped trails, each offering a unique Read more…
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A Tranquil Escape: Discovering Tucker Lake
Strawn, Texas, opens into Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, where the park’s centerpiece is Tucker Lake. Texas established its relatively new Palo Pinto Mountains State Park in 2011. Clear spring water feeds the 90-acre Tucker Lake surrounded by white sand beaches and a diversity of wildlife and flora, and live oak, mesquite, cedar elms, and Read more…
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The Heart of Austin: Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake holds a special place in Austin hearts. We have to go back to the 1970s to find that Texas’ population grew more than twice as fast as the national average during the 1970s. And we go even further back to President Kennedy’s assassination and the power of Lyndon Baines Johnson’s (LBJ) presidency Read more…
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Cedar Creek Lake: An Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure
Just an hour’s drive from Dallas lies Cedar Creek Lake, a serene oasis that many locals treasure as their best-kept secret. This not-so-hidden gem is the fourth largest lake in Texas, with a surface area of 32,000 acres and over 320 miles of shoreline. Cedar Creek Lake was created in 1965 with the completion of Read more…
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Texas Lake Levels 2024 Report
This weather and climate information comes from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and is merely a prediction, not set in stone. The lake levels are from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and Water Data for Texas and current as of May 28, 2024. Summer of 2024 officially begins on Thursday, June Read more…
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The Best Lakes in Texas
Texas, with its vast expanse of diverse landscapes, boasts some of the most breathtaking lakes in the United States. From tranquil waters nestled amidst rolling hills to expansive reservoirs teeming with recreational opportunities, the Lone Star State offers a plethora of options for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. To help you plan your next Read more…
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Fun Family Weekend in Austin
For no better reason than it was time to get together and party, our Dallas daughter and her family joined Mr. and Mrs. Texas Outside at our Austin daughter’s house. Austin is home to two family dogs and three grand kids! My Dallas daughter has an 8- and a 12-year-old. The Dallas group arrived late but Read more…
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A Fun Weekend in Horseshoe Bay on Lake LBJ
Some good friends invited us to spend the weekend with them at their lake house on Lake LBJ. It’s one of our favorite Texas lakes. That’s why it took us a millisecond to ask, “What time should we be there?” In no time, the car was loaded with beer, golf clubs, swim suits, and games. Delaware Read more…