Johnson Branch Unit Campground

Biking

Bike along ten miles of beautiful trails in Ray Roberts Lake State Park’s Greenbelt Corridor, which extends from the Ray Roberts Dam to Lake Lewisville. You can also bike along the lake and through wooded regions in the park’s Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch units. On all trails it’s recommended that you wear a helmet, ride with a friend, and be considerate when passing others. Cyclists should always yield to horses. If passing from the opposite direction, move to the side of the trail and allow the horses to pass.

Boating

Use one of the boat ramps to set your vessel into the water for a day of adventure on the expansive 29,000-acre Ray Roberts Lake. Ray Roberts Lake State Park dishes out a number of amenities that make boating here a breeze, like a marina with boat storage and repair, boat slips, and boat rentals. Because of a zebra mussel infestation in the water here, be sure to clean, drain and dry your boat and other gear before entering another body of water.

Fishing

With Ray Roberts Lake spanning 29,000-acres, there is always a place to fish here. Ray Roberts Lake State Park offers a number of amenities geared towards fisherman, including boat ramps, a fishing pier, fish cleaning stations, and a marina. The most common types of fish you can expect to catch here are crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, sunfish, and channel catfish. It is not necessary to obtain a fishing license if you will be fishing from the shore or a pier, but be sure to purchase one at the marina if you’re heading out to fish on a boat. Forgot your bait? Stock up at the marina as well. Inquire at the park for further details on guided fishing tours, which are quite popular here.

Hiking

Spanning from Ray Roberts Dam to Lake Lewisville, twenty miles of riverside trails are just begging to be explored in the park’s Greenbelt Corridor. Be sure to stay on trails and leave no trace—what you bring in you must carry out. You’ll also find paved and unpaved trails in the park’s Johnson Branch and Isle du Bois sections. Park rangers frequently lead guided nature hikes here as well, which are worth checking out. You can find out further details on these by calling the park or visiting the park’s events page online.

Horseback riding

Adventurous horseback riders should set off on 12 miles of trails in the park’s Greenbelt Corridor, extending alongside the Trinity River from the Ray Roberts Dam to Lake Lewisville. You’ll find an equestrian water station in this section of the park as well. Equestrian-friendly trails can also be found in the park’s Isle du Bois unit.

Paddling

Given the expansive nature of Ray Roberts Lake, there is always somewhere new to explore here out on the water. If you can’t bring your own canoe or kayak, you can rent one by contacting Greenbelt Canoe Rentals.

Wind sports

Windsurfing is permitted in the Johnson Branch and Isle du Bois units of Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

Swimming

Cool off in Ray Roberts Lake! Choose between swimming beaches in the park’s Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch regions. No lifeguards are on duty here, so remember that you are swimming at your own risk. Swimming in groups is always a good idea, as is sticking to designated swimming areas, and staying attuned to your surroundings.

Wildlife watching

Due to its unique position across three ecoregions, many plants and animals call Ray Roberts Lake State Park home. Keep your eyes peeled for opossum, rabbits, squirrels, bats, beavers, plains pocket gophers, nine-banded armadillos, mink, gray foxes, bobcats, deer, and other mammals. In the water, you might see or catch white bass, largemouth bass, spotted gar, catfish, or sunfish. Birds are common here too. Look out for greater roadrunners, wild turkeys, great blue herons, eastern screech owls, bald eagles, American white pelicans, and great horned owls. Butterflies, dragonflies, insects, frogs, turtles, and lizards are also common near wetlands.