The fourth-largest lake in Texas, Cedar Creek Lake is more than 32,000 acres, 18 miles long and offers 320 miles of shoreline. Just 55 miles southeast of Dallas, the lake is a haven to both weekenders and permanent residents. It was created in 1964 as a water reservoir for Tarrant County and is one of the very few lakes in Northeast Texas that allows property ownership of the waterfront, with the ability to have your own private boathouse. Cedar Creek Lake has been recognized as one of the best places in the country to live, for retirement.

Eagle Mountain Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in North Texas, spanning almost 8,700 acres. This recreational lake is great for fishing, skiing, wakeboarding, relaxing and recreational boating. There are numerous parks located around the lake, and great hiking trails, too, mostly within Eagle Mountain Park. Eagle Mountain Lake is also known for its beautiful lake homes: Just 15 miles north of downtown Fort Worth, it offers some of the best lake living near the city, amid numerous hills, bluffs and mountains that offer up fantastic views of the water.

Lake Bob Sandlin, located on Big Cypress Creek, is roughly 6 miles southwest of Mount Pleasant and 6 miles northwest of Pittsburg. The 9,460-acre reservoir is known as a top bass-fishing lake for anglers, with many quality options when pursuing sportfish: largemouth bass; spotted bass; white bass; channel catfish; crappie; and redear sunfish. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a nearly 640-acre park on the heavily wooded shoreline on the north side. Here, the Pineywoods, Oak Woods and Prairie regions converge to create a colorful spectacle of green pine trees standing in contrast to the yellows and reds of maples, hickory and sweetgum.

White Rock Lake is one of the top treasures of Dallas. A city lake of more than 1,000 acres, it is just five miles northeast of downtown Dallas — making it one of the best places to experience natural areas and wildlife in an urban setting. Host to a variety of activities, including biking, running, paddleboarding and sailboating, White Rock Lake and its surrounding park are also home to bobcats, red foxes, minks, turtles, toads, swans, pelicans, sea gulls, loons, bass, crappie and catfish. The lake’s beloved Bath House Cultural Center offers a 116-seat theater, gallery spaces and the White Rock Lake Museum. One of the best-known Dallas legends is the Lady of the Lake, a ghostly figure who is said to haunt White Rock Lake Park.

One of the largest lakes in North Texas, spanning 22,000 acres, this recreational lake is great for fishing, waterskiing, relaxing and recreational boating. There are numerous parks around the lake, plus beaches, hiking trails and biking trails. Its predominant fish species include white and hybrid striped bass; largemouth bass; channel and blue catfish; and white crappie. One of the most popular attractions at the lake is Rockwall Harbor, a waterfront entertainment center with dining, shopping, live music, movies, walkways along the harbor — and beautiful Texas sunsets.

Lake Palestine is about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, and is the largest lake in the Tyler area. It provides recreation and outdoor activities for everyone, with boating, waterskiing, houseboating, camping, RVing, canoeing, hiking, biking and fishing all being popular activities. It also offers waterfront and lakeside living for many Texans and visitors, and lodging including RV parks, campgrounds, resorts, cabins and B and Bs. Tyler’s mild winter climate makes the lake available virtually on a year-round basis. The lake is very popular for largemouth bass tournaments.

Unspoiled natural beauty, an abundance of recreational activities and a convenient location near several major cities — just 90 minutes south of the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex and 2.5 hours north of Austin — are part of what makes Lake Whitney a top Texas destination. The jewel of both Bosque and Hill counties, Lake Whitney is 35 square miles of crystal-clear water, providing a cherished destination for boating, fishing and watersports. The lake’s 225 miles of shoreline and acres of parkland offer ideal settings for swimming, picnicking, wildlife viewing, golfing, camping, horseback riding and more.

Nestled in the foothills of the Palo Pinto mountains — and less than 90 miles west of Fort Worth — Possum Kingdom is the Great Lake of Texas. This Texas oasis of more than 18,000 acres of crystal-clear water is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and rolling hillsides. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or staying for a lifetime, Possum Kingdom Lake has the amenities and services to meet your every need, from first-class dining and resorts to some of the finest marinas and golf courses in Texas.

Richland-Chambers Reservoir, about 30 minutes southeast of Corsicana, Texas, is the third-largest inland reservoir by surface area in the state. It has 330 miles of shoreline and is Y-shaped, with a dam on its eastern end. Richland-Chambers Reservoir is a venue for outdoor recreation, including fishing, boating and swimming. It is an excellent choice for anglers seeking catfishes, crappie, white bass or hybrid stripers. The traffic level is low and land for lakeside housing is plentiful, and there a number of sites to launch boats. The Harbor Restaurant offers American- and Southern-style food amid beautiful lake views.

Surrounded by 9,000 protected acres of nature, Lewisville Lake spans almost 30,000 acres and has 233 miles of shoreline. It’s an ideal setting for fishing, water sports and miles of scenic hike-and-bike trails — plus all-year boating for residents and visitors alike. There are numerous parks around the lake and plenty of beaches, campgrounds and golf courses. White crappie and white bass provide the most angling activity on Lake Lewisville, as does largemouth bass, the most popular fish in Texas. Something else that’s popular? Party Cove, where people bring their boats and spend their Friday, Saturday or Sunday tied up to other boats while swimming and listening to party music.

Imagine yourself in the shade of tall trees, listening to birds chirping and water lapping on the shores. Gather your fishing pole, binoculars, hiking shoes and camping gear: This is another world, just 50 miles east of Dallas. Explore almost 400 acres of oak forest, more than five miles of lakeshore and the lake itself — ideal for boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing and swimming. The fish species here include striped bass, white bass, largemouth bass and high-fin blue catfish, while the wildlife population teems with red and gray fox, bobcat, coyote, possum, turtles, frogs, snakes, raccoons, beavers, squirrels, armadillos, mink and white-tailed deer.

Lake Grapevine is located in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, on the northern border of the City of Grapevine. At roughly 8,000 acres, it is home to fishing, recreational boating, camping and much more. There are miles of trails around the lake — great for running, walking, hiking or biking — and numerous parks. Many boat ramps surround the lake, to get you out on the water for skiing, wakeboarding or just relaxing. The lake is very popular for sailing, too. Along its beautiful rolling shoreline, it offers two marinas, one with easy access to the main body of Lake Grapevine and the other home to many charter companies.