Located within the Denton, Cooke, and Grayson counties around Denton, Texas lies Ray Roberts Lake. This 29,350-acre rural lake is situated a few minutes away from the Dallas Metroplex and is just the getaway we all need to get a break from the skyscrapers, traffic noise, and the general hustle and bustle of city life.
Ray Roberts Dam was constructed in the year 1987 by the efforts of the US Army Corps of Engineers, which gave Ray Roberts Lake a depth of about 106 feet. The aim was to provide flood control to the Dallas metro area, to store water for the city of Dallas and also to offer recreation opportunities to the general public. Another purpose behind the impoundment of this lake was to manage and preserve the natural resources surrounding the lake area.
COE had leased Ray Roberts Lake to Texas Parks and Wildlife so that the two organizations can work together and protect the wildlife and the landscape around the lake. As a result, Ray Roberts Lake is a popular vacation spot where visitors enjoy endless hours and several days swimming, boating, camping, hiking, and horseback riding across various state parks of Texas.
The lake is surrounded by Ray Robert Lake State Park, Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, and waterfowl sanctuaries. The Park can be accessed from any unit by the public except the greenbelt.
While the Lake pushes water into the Cooke and Grayson counties, it is itself located in Denton County, on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, ust of FM 455 about ten miles north of Denton.
If you driving down from Fort Worth, Dallas, take Intersection 35 North to exit 483, Lone Oak Road. This road is about 15 miles north of Denton. After exiting Lone Oak Road, turn East for seven miles to arrive at the state park’s entrance on your right. This road will lead you down to the waters of Ray Roberts Lake.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park surrounds Ray Roberts Lake. The state park hosts two campgrounds to accommodate RV campers who wish to spend some quality time with nature
Isle du Bois campground boasts a total of 182 campsites. Fifty-three sites are primitive and walk-in with water nearby, 14 are equestrian campsites, and 115 campsites come with water and electric hookups of 20/30/50-amp. The campground also has group pavilions and restrooms with showers nearby. Every campsite comes with a picnic table, fire ring and/or an outdoor grill. The equestrian campsites are also primitive with water nearby and paved camping spots for RVs. One of the equestrian sites is also ADA accessible.
Johnson Branch Unit boasts 174 sites for the campers. Seventy campsites are primitive and walk-in, with water nearby and 104 sites are offered with 20/30/50-amp electric hookups and water hookups. The campground also has group pavilions and restrooms with showers nearby. Every campsite comes with a picnic table, fire ring and/or an outdoor grill.
Ray Roberts Lake is spread over 29,000 acres and almost every spot on it offers terrific fishing opportunities. Anglers catch crappie, largemouth bass, catfish, white bass, and sunfish. This lake is a very productive fishing lake, hence the state park accommodates and encourages fishing to maintain a healthy and stocked fish population. It offers anglers access to boat ramps for boat fishing, a fishing pier, and even fish cleaning stations.
Most importantly, fishing from the state park doesn’t require you to have a fishing license, so people of all ages and experience can give fishing a try on these vast lake waters.
There are plenty of trails to explore the area, and the most famous one of them is the Greenbelt corridor. These multiuse, 20-mile long trails begin at the Ray Roberts Dam and twist and turn their way through to Lake Lewisville along the Trinity River’s Elm Fork Branch.
Horseback riders can enjoy 12 miles of the trail, whereas 10 miles are reserved for hikers and bikers. Those camping at Isle du Bois or Johnson Branch can also enjoy many paved multi-use trails.
Lake Ray Roberts Marina is a full-fledged marina with a boat repair shop, boat storage, boat rentals, boat for selling, and a fuel station. The marina also sells fishing licenses, groceries, deli-snacks, and baits. Visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking, and canoeing at the lake.
While there are no designated lifeguards, it’s an active swimming spot with sandy beaches. Just take precautions and use the buddy-swimming areas to look out for each other.
The Wildlife Management Area permits hunting around the lake within the designated public hunting areas. Dove, quail, feral hogs, waterfowl, squirrels, rabbits, hares, frogs, snipe, and gallinules are all legal game that can be hunted during the season.
Make sure to read up on the 2019-2020 hunting rules and regulations of the Ray Roberts WMA before embarking on your next hunting adventure.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park has four picnic pavilions that overlook the lake and allow for a great picnicking experience. There’s also a playground, restrooms, group picnic pavilions, sandy swimming beaches, and everything else that will guarantee and great fun times outdoors.
You can picnic beside the lake with your families and let the little ones have a great time learning to swim and enjoy the playground shenanigans.
Ray Roberts Lake is situated in a region where three ecoregions collide, hence providing food and shelter to many wildlife species. During your stay in the park, there’s a high chance you might come across opossum, rabbit, raccoon, bats, squirrels, mink, striped skunk, armadillo, coyote, gopher, bobcat, and gray fox amongst many others.
A huge number of bird species also live in the area. Greater roadrunner, American white pelican, wild turkey, blue heron, owls, and hawks are just a few of them.
