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

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Highest Rated Lakes

Best of Texas Lakes

Lake Texoma


Lake Travis


Possom Kingdom Reservoir


Sam Rayburn Reservoir


Toledo Bend Lake


Whitney


Lewisville Lake


Lake Austin


Murray


Canyon Lake


Inks Lake


Bridgeport



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.”

Lakeway Resort on Lake Travis

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.

Keep Austin Wet Boat Rentals

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.

Texas fishing guide

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.

Possum Kingdom Lake

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.

Party cove on Lake LBJ

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.

Just for Fun Boat Rental Coupon

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.

Camping on Lake Austin

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.

Flyboarding

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

  • Texas Houseboating and Texas Houseboat Rentals

    Have you ever considered a Texas houseboat vacation as a way to experience the best of what the state has to offer? Texas is known for its stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and unique outdoor activities. With over 5,000 miles of shoreline and numerous lakes, Texas is a paradise for a vacation on the water. Imagine Read more…

  • The 5 Best Texas Lake Resorts

    If you are looking for the perfect waterfront getaway, look no further than Texas lake resorts. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend or a relaxing week with friends, there are plenty of amazing lake resorts to choose from. From luxury cabins to sprawling golf courses and resorts that have it all, Texas has a Read more…

  • A Fun Stay At Margaritaville Lake Resort On Lake Conroe

    If you are planning a waterfront getaway, then check out Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe – the ultimate lakefront paradise! Located in Montgomery County and just an hour north of Houston, visitors can enjoy all that this beautiful lake has to offer. From fishing and tubing to swimming, sailing, and kayaking, there’s no shortage Read more…

  • Texas Lakes with Gators

    An estimated 400,000 to 500,000 alligators live in east and south Texas, and there are many Texas lakes with gators in them. Alligators are indeed hearty survivors. They have lived on earth many more millions of years than hominids. Hominids, our human ancestors, first appeared in Africa about six million years ago, according to paleoanthropologists. Read more…

  • What is the Best Lake to Live on in Texas?

    Wow! Who could choose the best lake in Texas? This is a hard one to answer. Texas has 188 lakes that cover 5,000 acres or more and most are much larger. Texas claims 7,000 lakes, but most of them would not be lakes with names we would recognize. Texas is comprised of ten ecoregions designated Read more…

  • Where in Texas Can You Live On Water?

    Texas provides 188 lakes covering 5,000 acres or much more, and 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers that flow for over 191,000 miles. Plus, Texas claims 7,000 lakes, some of which are so small that only wildlife enjoys them. On top of that, Texas has 367 miles of ocean coastline on the Gulf of Mexico. Read more…

  • Texas Lake Levels Early 2023 Report

    As of January 3, 2023, and according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 46.26% of the lower 48 states are in drought. This means that surface water levels are lower than usual. In the winter months, drought conditions lessen because of seasonally cooler temperatures and dormant vegetation. What does this mean for Texas lakes? In Texas, Read more…

  • The Best Lake Towns In Texas For Retirement

    If you want to retire at a lake in Texas, Texas has you covered with a wide assortment of water bodies for retirees with ideal and various amenities. Lakehub chose the following lakes based on activities, weather, amenities, and geography as some valuable, meaningful, and advantageous places to spend leisure time, especially if leisure is Read more…

  • Eagle Mountain Lake Tie Up

    For the last few years, every August, usually the third weekend, we head to Eagle Mountain Lake for the annual Tie Up. We started this weekend a little early by spending Thursday evening at Love & War in Texas (Plano) for the start of the Shiner Rising Star Contest. This is similar to a battle Read more…

  • Hiking the Johnson Trail at Possum Kingdom Lake

    Possum Kingdom Lake in Texas is one of my favorite places to boat.  The lake is surrounded by cliffs and beautiful homes.  Of course the party spot inside of Hell’s Gate with hundreds of your closest friends is fun too.  Add a great place to fish to round out this beautiful lake. But what happens Read more…

  • A Fun Houseboating Trip on Lake Amistad

    As part of a two week trip exploring West Texas with a couple good friends in early November, and we understand Lake Amistad Marina is closed. If you have never been on a houseboat vacation, you need to consider one for your next vacation or just for a fun long weekend. It is a a Read more…

  • Stillhouse Hollow Boat Rentals

    If you are heading to Stillhouse Hollow Lake and would like get out on the water, then here are some places to call to enjoy some time boating, cruising, fishing, scuba diving, kaying, or just relaxing on the water. Stillhouse Hollow Boat Rentals Scuba Divers Paradise Kayaks, pedal boats, jon boats, canoes, and row boats Read more…

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