Thank you to Coors Light for making this things to do at Lake Texoma post possible. As always, all opinions are my own.
Sometimes you want to get away without having to travel far! Near Dallas, you can find that perfect lake getaway, plus so many fun things to do at Lake Texoma. Just about an hour North of Dallas, you’ll find beautiful beaches, fun campgrounds, picnic areas, wildlife refuges, and leisurely cruises in a safe environment.
Living the lake life in Texas starts with a good drink to sip and enjoy! Although situated on the Texas-Oklahoma border, we’re still in Texas with all of our Texas pride. Before heading out on our Lake Texoma adventure filled with so many fun things to do, we made sure to grab some Texas Chillin Coors Light cans!
Rent a Cabin at Lake Texoma
Falling asleep and waking up to the water is the way to start at Lake Texoma. We found this cute kasita, as they’re called. Simple on the outside, you get your own personal one where you can look out at the lake while sipping a cold Coors. Each one comes with a grill, fireplace, and a little washing station. We made sure to pack a cooler to keep our drinks and food cold. Are you excited for your next stay? Book here now!
The rooms are small, but they have everything you need! The downstairs bed pulls out, and there’s even another loft bed up top. They have a dining table, linens, and small blankets available. We packed our own for added comfort, but even in the cold, our little cabin on Lake Texoma stayed nice and toasty. Another thing I would recommend bringing is a mattress topper. While we are glamping, we found the beds a little rough and would have enjoyed some additional cushioning.
While the cabin does not have a bathroom, it’s just a short walk away from the Kasitas, and they were clean. Just make sure to bring your own body wash and towels.
When not enjoying our cozy cabin on Lake Texoma, this area had many other fun activities to offer. There were hammocks on site for relaxation, as well as swings. There’s a day use area to go swimming or fishing. For us, the best part was staring out into the beautiful water.
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Visit an Island
Yes, we have islands in Texas! Right on Lake Texoma, you can take advantage of boat rentals or order a river taxi to take you to the Islands, also called Party Cove. There’s also North Island, Treasure Island, and Hog Island. Here, people will dock their boats and play music for a great time! No matter the time of year, you can feel like you’re somewhere far away with sand all around.
If you don’t want to get a boat or deal with getting to the islands, there is another great place called Island View Park. Here you can get a view of the islands while still being able to drive up to the area. Get your beach getaway close to Dallas with the sand all around. Go swimming, have a picnic on the beach, play some volleyball, and even rent out kayaks.
Go Kayaking on Lake Texoma
Enjoy the open waters and take in a different view of Lake Texoma by renting a kayak. For exploring the beautiful Lake Texoma, you can rent kayaks from the Lighthouse Resort & Marina, Paradise on Lake Texoma, and Island View Park.
Another great spot where we enjoy renting kayaks is Waterloo Lake. It’s a pretty small lake, which makes it easier to see more!
Hike the Caves
In addition to kayaking at Waterloo Lake, there is also a hiking trail that leads to the caves. It’s a short hike along the creek, and in less than 10 minutes, you can be checking out this fun area!
And for another cave to check out, visit…
Hike Eisenhower State Park
Eisenhower State Park is another area where you can explore caves. Depending on the water level, you can hike directly to the caves, or you may need to wade through the water. Apart from the caves, Eisenhower State Park also has its little beach and some great nature trails for hiking.
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Go Stand Up Paddle Boarding
If you would like to view Lake Texoma from a different view and test your balance at the same time, try stand-up paddle boarding through Lighthouse Resort & Marina. Just try not to fall in the water.
Enjoy a Romantic Dinner Cruise
If you’re looking for a romantic activity on Lake Texoma, consider opting for a dinner cruise. Fast Trac Boat Charters takes you on Lake Texoma during sunset with a full dinner and is even BYOB (hello Coors Light!). Or try one of their murder mystery cruises or sunset cruises.
If you’re looking for something more intimate and private, consider asking the Lighthouse Marina about their sailing dinner cruise. It offers meal choices such as Texas BBQ, Mexican Fajita Fiesta, Southern Comfort, and more.
Take a Historic Tour
But of course, since we’re on Lake Texoma, this will be a boat ride! You’ll get to see the beautiful lake, find the best scenery, and even learn new information. Who knew Lake Texoma was so full of interesting facts and rich history? Fastrac Charter Services will take care of you by setting up your historic tour of the lake.
Rent a Boat
Rather than letting others drive you around, you could rent a boat for a unique experience! Lighthouse Resort & Marina will provide you with a pontoon boat, all of the safety equipment, and help you to get out and explore the Lake Texoma area on your own.
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Go for a Trail Ride
Although we’re on the shores of Lake Texoma, there’s more to do in the area than just the water. If you need some time on the land, check out Rockin’ A Ranch that will take you on a scenic trail ride.
Go Sailing on Lake Texoma
For a more intimate experience around the lake with your significant other or a small group, consider taking a sailing trip around Lake Texoma. Fastrac Charters has sailboats that hold 1-4 people, so you can enjoy the lake in a more intimate experience.
Learn to Sail
Perhaps instead of simply being a passenger on a sailboat, you’d like to be the one sailing it! The Hobie sailboats are something that you can learn to sail in about an hour (and Fastrac Charters offers lessons), and then be out on the water.
Become a Pirate
A pirate ship right on Lake Texoma? You bet! The Compass Rose is a large pirate ship that people can rent out for anything from small excursions to weddings. They even have tours of the ship that you can take!
Try Some Famous Donuts
Momo’s Donuts has been talked about all over, especially in North Texas, and they’re worth all of the hype. Every weekend, they serve up a rotating variety of unique flavors from brownie donuts, Ferrero Rocher, banana cheesecake, and so much more. It’s the perfect breakfast or snack to take out on the lake! Plus, if you get the chance to visit, you might run into the owner himself, who is always so kind and full of energy.
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Fly Above the Water
If you’ve ever wanted to try hydrosports, you can visit Water Wings Texoma, where professional guides will teach you how to fly high above the water with the water as your wings. Be sure to capture some video, as the initial attempts can be pretty amusing!
Explore a Charming Town
Right near Lake Texoma is the beautiful town of Denison. This unique place played a critical role in saving the French wine industry, a story that French wine experts recognize, as it’s associated with the small town of Denison. In Denison, you’ll find a charming downtown area with excellent vintage shops, restaurants, and wineries, as well as many exciting attractions.
Things to Do at Lake Texoma: FAQs
Is Lake Texoma worth visiting?
Yes, Lake Texoma is worth visiting! As one of the largest reservoirs in the U.S., it offers excellent fishing, boating, camping, and scenic spots for outdoor enthusiasts, making it a popular destination for a relaxing getaway.
What is the nicest part of Lake Texoma?
Island View Park is one of the most popular beach destinations at Lake Texoma, offering a fantastic spot for a day trip from the DFW area or a relaxing stop during your visit. Open year-round from 9 am to sunset, this park features a beautiful sandy beach, perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Visitors can take advantage of the picnic shelters for a lakeside meal and enjoy the park’s abundant access to the lake for various water activities.
What cities are close to Lake Texoma?
Cities close to Lake Texoma include Denison and Sherman in Texas, as well as Durant and Kingston in Oklahoma, all offering convenient access to the lake’s recreational activities.
Things to Do at Lake Texoma: Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a weekend full of fun, excitement, and plenty to do close to Dallas, the sandy beaches of Lake Texoma make for one of the most exciting vacation spots. With over 6 million yearly visitors, it is one of the great destination sites in Texas, offering lake activities to suit every budget and interest. Additionally, when you don’t want to be on the lake, there are great outdoors to admire and plenty of other fun activities in the surrounding areas.
Of course, a Lake Texoma vacation is incomplete without a cold beer! Stop at your convenience store on the way out for a day trip of fun on the lake.
Looking for more things to do? Check out some of these other great Texas destinations or pick up a copy of 50 Texas Trips Under $50 with a free digital version!
- Glen Rose: Have one of the best burgers in Texas, go on a safari, and see dinosaur tracks.
- McKinney: Wander through crepe myrtles, check out the local brewery, and go up in a hot air balloon!
- Farmersville: A charming small town where you can stay in a beautiful bed & breakfast, enjoy a crafting retreat, and go on some great trails.
Last Updated 2 weeks ago by Jessica Serna | Published: January 19, 2021
