The 10 Biggest Lakes in Texas
With an abundance of bass fishing along the thousands of miles of inland water, these are the biggest lakes in Texas.
Written by Kaitlin May
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- Toledo Bend Reservoir (182,490 acres)
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir (112,590 acres)
- Falcon Reservoir (85,195 acres)
- Lake Texoma (78,420 acres)
- Amistad Reservoir (66,465 acres)
- Richland Chambers Reservoir (43,384 acres)
- Lake Tawakoni (37,325 acres)
- Cedar Creek Reservoir/Lake (32,873 acres)
- Lake Livingston (32,583 acres)
- Ray Roberts Lake (28,646 acres)
- Protecting yourself while you travel
- FAQs
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With 5,607 square miles of inland water and almost 7,000 10-acre lakes, Texas continues to live up to the adage that everything is bigger there. Warm year-round temperatures—and sometimes squelching heat—make the lakes and reservoirs in the state prime real estate for residents and tourists alike.
Not only are the biggest lakes in Texas sights to behold, but they also offer a breadth of recreational activities from boating to fishing to even scuba diving. That’s right—your first scuba rodeo could be done in the Lone Star State.
With thousands of lakes to choose from, how do you narrow down a spot to visit?
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is well versed in all things Texas-related. We’ve wrangled up the ten biggest lakes in Texas based on the number of acres they occupy, where you can find them, and how you can make the most of the aquatic activities that await you at each location.Toledo Bend Reservoir (182,490 acres)
Address: Huxley Bay Marina, 13200 FM2694, Shelbyville, TX 75973
Toledo Bend Reservoir makes a splash as the largest man-made masterpiece in the southern United States, and the largest lake in Texas. With both private and public areas for aquatic activities stretching across 1,200 miles of shoreline, you’re bound to plant your umbrella in the sand along the water.
This behemoth lake is smack-dab between Texas and Louisiana, with more of its waves crashing on the Louisiana side. Toledo Bend is renowned for its fishing chops with bass, crappie, carp, and catfish swarming its waters. If you’re not one for hooking a line, you can dive into some water sports like boating, swimming, or tubing instead.
Sam Rayburn Reservoir (112,590 acres)
Address: Mill Creek Park, Mill Creek Park Rd, Brookeland, TX 75931
Within an hour of Beaumont, the Angelina River-fed reservoir extends for 600 miles of shoreline. Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the second largest lake in Texas, and the number one lake in the country for bass fishing. The summer sanctuary in East Texas houses hundreds of tournaments for fishing fanatics each year.
If bass fishing isn’t your thing, you can rent a dreamy cabin near Angelina National Forest or plan a summer weekend getaway at one of the
bed and breakfasts
in the area.Falcon Reservoir (85,195 acres)
Address:Falcon State Park, 146 Park Rd 46, Roma, TX 78584
Situated on the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico, the third-largest lake in Texas offers some unique activities. With the scorching summer heat and depleted water levels, this one is best to visit in the cooler spring months. Shallower waters and luscious woods make for opportunities to find hidden treasures by geocaching.
If you’re a thrill-seeking lake goer, you might want to keep an eye out for an elusive gator gar. Just make sure that if your boat crosses into Mexican waters, you have a Mexican fishing license.
MORE: Haunted Texas road trip
Lake Texoma (78,420 acres)
Address: 87426 Preston Bend Rd, Pottsboro, TX 75076
With six million visitors flocking to Lake Texoma each year, the fourth-largest lake in Texas offers something for just about anyone in the family. Its 1,000 mile-long shoreline stretches from Denison to Durant, Oklahoma—offering a unique opportunity to visit some Oklahoma casinos while you’re out on the water.
If you’re not a gambler, you can bet on beachy activities like tanning, swimming, fishing, or even
chartering a cruise
along the lake with the whole family.Amistad Reservoir (66,465 acres)
Address: 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840
If you’re looking for a getaway to celebrate Amistad, or “friendship” in Spanish, then the water sports hub along the US-Mexican border might be ideal for you. Amistad reservoir sits with two-thirds of its 66,465 acres in the US and the remaining land in Mexico. Booming with water sports, hiking trails, and even 4,000-year-old Native American paintings in Panther Cave, it’s one of the most versatile lakes in Texas.
Diablo East offers a cove for SCUBA diving, and there’s an option to hunt if that’s what floats your boat. Since the lake toggles the border, it’s especially important to
check out the hunting requirements
before you pack up your gear and go.Richland Chambers Reservoir (43,384 acres)
Address: 10411 US-287, Corsicana, TX 75109
With 330 miles of shoreline just southeast of Corsicana, TX, Richland-Chamers Reservoir is a hot spot for boaters. Despite there being vegetation throughout the lake, it’s a great place for all of the swimming, tubing, jet-skiing, and cruising that your heart desires. This sizeable spot is also ideal for catching catfish, bass, and crappie if fishing is your jam.
Fisherman’s Point Marina and Resort
offers accommodations like lodging, canoe and kayak rentals, and a family swimming hole along the shoreline for an extended weekend (or longer) of family fun.RECOMMENDED
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Lake Tawakoni (37,325 acres)
Address: 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point, TX 75169
Within earshot of the DFW Metroplex, Lake Tawakoni sits on 376 acres of beaches, forests, and lakeshore. Encompassing the counties of Hunt, Rains, and Van Zandt, the massive lake provides campsites for visitors both near and far. There are five miles of hiking trails to explore with prime real estate for bird watching along the way.
If you’re looking to pack in nighttime activities outside of making s’mores, you can check out the lake’s amphitheater and
events
throughout the summer.Cedar Creek Reservoir/Lake (32,873 acres)
Address: Fisherman’s Wharf, 2904 CR 1703, Malakoff, Texas 75148
By the folks in Athens, TX just 15 miles east of Cedar Creek Reservoir, you’ll hear the 32,873-acre spot referred to as Cedar Creek. The northern end of the lake has shallow waters prime for fishing, while the lower end has plunging depths with rich vegetation.
Along the 320 miles of shoreline sits Fisherman’s Wharf, which boasts camping amenities suited for everyone in your family. There, you’ll find places to park, clean off your gear, and regroup after a long day on the water.
Lake Livingston (32,583 acres)
Address: 300 State Park Rd 65, Livingston, TX 77351-1601
If you’re looking for a year-round camping spot just 90 minutes from Houston, Lake Livingston is it. Nestled in the Piney Woods of East Texas, milder temperatures and aromatic pines set the stage for a top-notch camping experience. Paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks can be rented from Thursday to Sunday, and there are plenty of options to rent out cabins.
There are designated beaches that are ideal for swimming, and both Big Thicket National Preserve and Sam Houston National Forest make for photo-worthy stops along the way.
MORE: Dallas to Santa Fe road trip
Ray Roberts Lake (28,646 acres)
Address: 100 P W 4137, Pilot Point, TX 76258
Rounding out the list of largest lakes in the Lone Star state sits Ray Roberts Lake, which is situated about 60 minutes north of the DFW Metroplex when the traffic is mild. From hardwood forests to prairies, the park and lake areas offer 10 miles of hiking trails to explore.
You can book an overnight stay at the
Lone Star Lodge
and plan for time spent at the kid’s fishing pond, boating, or relaxing in the sand while enjoying its accommodations. Campsites are abundant near Ray Roberts Lake, and you might even spot a few turtles or frogs throughout the area’s wetlands!Protecting yourself while you travel
With lakes this impressive, you might book a flight from anywhere in the country to catch an award-winning bass. If you’re planning a road trip to visit one of Texas’s premier summer spots, you’ll need to make sure your car is protected along the way with car insurance.
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FAQs
Where is the oldest lake in Texas?
Located in the counties of Burnet and Llano, Lake Buchanan is the oldest lake in Texas.
Are there natural lakes in Texas?
Among all the man-made lakes in Texas, there’s only one natural lake in the entire state, formed by a log jam called Caddo Lake.
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