Lavon Lake, 40 miles northwest of Dallas, is a picturesque body of water perfect for an RV road trip. The Lavon Dam, completed in 1953 by the US Army Corps of Engineers, helps control flooding and provides water storage. The Lavon Lake reservoir also offers terrific recreation opportunities in Collin County, Texas. Visitors enjoy using the water for swimming, boating, and fishing. Trails for hiking and horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and picnicking are just some of the activities that will keep the whole family busy at this popular COE lake.
With all the exciting activities at Lavon Lake, coupled with the three COE campgrounds that accommodate RVs, you can see why this location is favored by both locals and tourists. There are over 100 reservable campsites with hookups waiting to be your home away from home.
This beautiful setting has everything you might need for the best well-rounded vacation. Visit the huge Dallas Fort Worth Metropolitan Area for a day and spend the rest of the time exploring the wonderful nearby lakes. Ray Hubbard Lake and Lake Tawakoni State Park are within easy reach if you need a change of scenery.
Driving from Dallas to Lavon Lake will take about an hour, depending on which area of the lake is your ultimate destination. The most direct route will take you through the large towns of Richardson and Plano - both great stops to purchase supplies or gas. The small town of Wylie is another good option for sundries on your way to the lake or if you need some supplies once you've already arrived.
Depending on the time of day, leaving the Dallas metropolitan area can take more time. Subject to heavy traffic during morning and evening rush hours, leave a little extra time if you're traveling in one of these windows.
All day-use areas and campgrounds at Lavon Lake can accommodate larger rigs, so navigating around the COE lake is easy. To visit all the day-use parks along the shores of the lake, you can ride your bike on the road or drive. They are generally too far apart to reach on foot.
Parking is not a problem for motorhomes or trailers at the three COE campgrounds or at the many day-use areas of the lake. The lake is popular due to its proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, so arrive early to secure the best parking spots.
RV campers who want a full-service experience should consider making Lavonia Campground their home base while at Lavon Lake. The sites accommodate rigs up to 65 feet in length, and you can choose between full hookup sites with 30 amp electric or sites with water only.
Lavonia Park sits on a hillside with gorgeous views of the south end of the lake. The day-use area has over 50 picnic tables, some shaded if campers tire of the picnic table at their campsite. The park boasts a playground for younger visitors. There is also a swim beach and two boat ramps for water lovers.
Pets are allowed at this COE campground, and hot showers and restrooms are here for your convenience. Reservations are accepted, and you can stay here year-round. and hot showers and restrooms are here for your convenience. Reservations are accepted, and you can stay here year-round.
East Fork Campground offers 50 different campsites with water and 50 amp electric hookups. A further 12 sites have water hookups only. Making a reservation at this COE park provides access to a swim beach, playground, and multiple picnic areas. Trees are scarce on the open grassy areas that make up East Fork Campground, so privacy and shade are minimal.
RVs up to 60 feet can find a spot to park at this lakefront park. Campers traveling with their horses will find accommodations at one of the equestrian sites with trails nearby. There is also a section of the park reserved for tent-only camping.
Restrooms with showers are available, and pets are permitted. Visitors can make reservations in advance to ensure they have a site upon arrival. Once you set up camp, you can hit the water via the swim beach or boat ramp or send the kids to the day-use area's playground.
Open from the start of April to the end of September, the COE campground at Clear Lake Park is another great option for peak season camping. Sites here have full hookups, and there's easy access to the day-use park. A large motorhome or trailer is not a problem at Clear Lake - the largest site accepts rigs up to 98 feet.
Many of the campsites sit along the lake and have great water views. Clear Lake is the best place to camp if you want natural shade from tall trees. Enjoy the shaded picnic areas, the playground, and the easy access to boat ramps. Anglers love to stay at Clear Lake Campground since there's a convenient fishing dock onsite. The restrooms have toilets and showers and pets are welcome.
Reserve a spot early at this popular spot if you can. Its prime location, shade, and water access mean that it fills up quickly in the summer.
All swimming at Lavon Lake is unsupervised. There are no lifeguards at any of the five designated swimming beaches. Visitors can also swim at their own risk from any part of the shore.
Beaches are open from April through September and have amenities like restrooms and picnic tables in the adjoining day-use areas. The official swimming areas are at Mallard Park, East Fork Park, Ticky Creek Park, Avalon Park, and Pebble Beach Park.
Touring Lavon Lake on a boat is a fantastic way to spend a summer day. Do some fishing or dive in to cool off. You can water ski, use wave runners, or just paddle around in a canoe or kayak. If you have not traveled with a boat, there are private companies that rent pontoon boats, ski boats, and fishing boats around the lake.
For supplies, two marinas service this COE lake, and 20 different boat ramps are dispersed along the shores. Some are open seasonally, whereas others are open year-round.
Hiking is a fun way to get around this scenic area of Texas. Two major trails dominate the land around Lavon Lake - the Trinity Trail and the Sister Grove Park Trail.
The Trinity Park Trail allows both hikers and equestrians and is open year-round unless the trail is too wet. It spans 25 miles and has three trailheads around the lake for access.
The Sister Grove Park Trail permits hiking and biking and is much shorter at about one mile. It's unpaved and branches from Sister Grove Park to the lake itself.
Angling at Lavon Lake can be done all year, but the lake is known for its crappie fishing, which is best during winter and spring. Striped bass has also been stocked in the lake.
Other fish that can end up on the end of your hook include blue and channel catfish and both white and largemouth bass.
No matter which catches you're seeking, follow all posted signs, limits, and licensing requirements from Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Native wildlife is ever-present at Lavon Lake, so make sure you're always on the lookout. Small creatures are the most common, and you may see squirrels, butterflies, birds, rabbits, and armadillo.
If larger animals are more enticing, visitors to Lavon Lake can also encounter deer, fox, and raccoon. Although rarer, the land around the COE is home to bobcat and coyote as well.
With all this amazing wildlife in the area, binoculars and a camera are essential.
Four large picnic shelters are excellent venues to host gatherings of groups of up to 100 people. These picnic spots are at Avalon Park, East Fork Park, Clear Lake Park, and Lakeland Park. Each one has picnic tables for dining and drinking water. For meal preparation, there are electric hookups and cookers.
For families and smaller groups, there are sheltered individual picnic tables scattered at the various day-use use areas around the COE lake.
