Cool off at Texas’ fourth-largest lake, just an hour from Dallas.
Escaping the Big D couldn’t be easier—this idyllic lakeside retreat lies barely an hour’s drive from the city. Not only is Cedar Creek Reservoir one of Texas's largest lakes, but it’s one of Dallas’ prime vacation spots, dotted with lavish lakeside villas, fine dining restaurants, and country club golf courses. Bring your boat, kayak, or water skis to cruise the lake, cool off with a swim, or seek out a tranquil cove to fish for bass and catfish. Spring through fall is the most popular time for camping around the lake, when the lakeside RV parks can get busy, but many stay open year-round.
The city sights are just an hour’s drive away, whether you want to catch a Dallas Cowboys game, visit the John F. Kennedy memorial, or get your culture fix in the Arts District. Urban campers have options in Dallas too. Lake Lavon and Lake Ray Hubbard have waterfront campgrounds, swimming beaches, and leafy parks right on the cusp of the city, while RV parks and cabins dot the shores of Lake Lewisville to the north.
North of Cedar Creek, lake lovers will find plenty of places to get on the water. Check into the lakefront campground at Lake Tawakoni State Park or head to one of the lake’s RV parks with easy access to the boat launches and fishing coves. Nearby, Lake Fork has several marinas and lakeside golf courses, while further north, Sulphur Springs is the gateway to Cooper Lake State Park on the shores of Jim Chapman Lake.
Vast expanses of rolling woodlands blanket the Texas Piney Woods, where adventurers can hike, mountain bike, rock climb, and zipline through the forest. Miles of hiking trails lead the way through the Davy Crockett, Angelina, and Sabine National Forests, where you can choose between developed campgrounds and backcountry camping or seek out a glamping getaway in the woods.