Rated Lakes in Texas

Inks Lake is a scenic reservoir on the Colorado River, fifty miles northwest of Austin. It's surrounded by the rolling landscape of Texas Hill Country and is particularly beautiful thanks to the pink rocks jutting near the shore.

This 29,000-acre lake is within an hour's drive north of Dallas. It's immensely popular on the weekends and offers a wide range of ways to enjoy the water. Boating and fishing are two of the most frequent activities at the lake. Canoes, kayaks, speedboats, and houseboats are all seen enjoying the water. The lake has excellent conditions for crappie, catfish, and white bass.

Possum Kingdom Lake is in a rugged canyon country on the Brazos River, 70 miles west of Fort Worth. This reservoir is well known for natural cliff features lining the south end of the lake. The crystal blue waters of Possum Kingdom Lake also pose well for pictures.

Lake Conroe is an approximately 22,000-acre boating lake within an hour's drive of Houston. It's a popular spot to escape the city. On any given day, jet skis, sailboats, and fishing rigs make waves atop the water. Visitor amenities like golf courses, lakeside restaurants, and full-service marinas also line the shore.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a popular recreation lake in deep East Texas, operated by the Army Corps of Engineers. Parks and public space line this massive human-made reservoir encompassing over 110,000 acres.

Canyon Lake is a jewel of Texas Hill Country, halfway between San Antonio and Austin, and a 30-minute drive from New Braunfels. The lake is on the Guadalupe River, and the water is incredibly clear. Canyon Lake is popular for all sorts of recreation like boating, fishing, and lakeside hiking.

Straddling the Texas/Louisiana border, Caddo Lake offers a unique water experience in the Lone Star State. Caddo Lake encompasses over 20,000 acres of cypress swamp with several bayous, channels, and waterways.

Considered the Crown Jewel of the Central Texas Highland Lakes, Lake Travis is overflowing with fun things to do. This long and skinny reservoir is over 63 miles long, with approximately 270 miles of shoreline.

Millions of people visit Lake Texoma each year. It straddles the Oklahoma and Texas Border, 80 miles north of Dallas, and it's the sheer size of this impoundment of the Red River that attracts big crowds. However, it's the abundant and self-sustaining population of bass that draws in the anglers.

Lady Bird Lake is the last in the series of Highland Lakes on the Colorado River and runs through the heart of downtown Austin. Paddlers take advantage of this urban amenity via kayak or canoe every day of the year. And the Austin skyline provides a beautiful eastern backdrop while crossing the iconic Congress Avenue Bridge.