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These D-FW lakes offer a Labor Day cooldown

The best way to beat the heat is to get out on the water.

Update:
Editor’s note: We’re bringing back this 2021 story to help you plan Labor Day weekend outings.

Aquatic fun comes in many varieties. There’s the water park, the pool — even the bathtub has its charms. But for those who like a bit of nature with their swim, area lakes are the answer.

North Texans can head out to several for outdoor fun and a guaranteed cooldown.

So check out our list of the best bodies of water around D-FW.

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For maps, hours, admission fees, access and camping information and other details, visit the website for each lake. Also, always check water levels before planning a lake visit. Occasionally attractions close due to heavy rainfall or other natural events. If you’re planning to visit a state or county park facility at a lake, reservations are highly recommended.

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A couple kayak at White Rock Lake on Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Dallas.
A couple kayak at White Rock Lake on Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Dallas.(Elias Valverde II / Staff Photographer)

White Rock Lake

Once a creek where buffalo roamed, the area today includes a 1,015-acre lake, 9-mile hike-and-bike trail, bird-watching area and wetlands site. Visitors can fish, take their four-legged friends to the dog park, or rent a kayak or paddleboard from White Rock Paddle Co. Picnic areas, piers and boat ramps allow visitors to hang out, get out on the water and enjoy the urban oasis.

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Nearby, the Dallas Arboretum offers spectacular views of the lake and photo ops galore. Arboretum guests must reserve tickets for a specific date and time slot before their visit.

8300 Garland Road, Dallas.

Lewisville Lake

One of the largest in North Texas, this 29,592-acre lake includes 233 miles of shoreline and borders multiple cities — Hickory Creek, Highland Village, Lake Dallas and The Colony, to name a few. Around the expansive lake are beaches, campgrounds, golf courses, hike-and-bike trails and parks. The area is bustling with activities such as Little Elm Park’s sand beach and volleyball court, plus there are weekly paddleboard classes and rentals offered by DFW Surf.

Camden Clark, 10, of Frisco drags his inflatable slice of pizza across Little Elm Park beach...
Camden Clark, 10, of Frisco drags his inflatable slice of pizza across Little Elm Park beach to Lake Lewisville in Little Elm, Texas, Thursday, July 16, 2020.(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

Visitors can also enjoy the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, a lush 2,000-acre wildlife management area featuring bottomland forests, prairies and wetlands. There are hiking trails, as well as opportunities for bird-watching, camping, canoeing, fishing and kayaking. Due to construction, river access and fishing are not currently available at the learning area.

Addresses vary by park. Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is at 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville.

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A man operates a boat on Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland, Texas, on Saturday, July 18, 2020.
A man operates a boat on Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland, Texas, on Saturday, July 18, 2020.(Lynda M. González / Staff Photographer)

Lake Ray Hubbard

North of Forney, this 22,745-acre lake straddles Dallas, Kaufman, Collin and Rockwall counties. There is no camping at the lake, but visitors can spend the day boating and fishing, as well as enjoying the beaches, hike-and-bike trails and parks.

A fisherman, who wished to remain unidentified, casts a net at the John Paul Jones Park...
A fisherman, who wished to remain unidentified, casts a net at the John Paul Jones Park along Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland, Texas, on Saturday, July 18, 2020.(Lynda M. Gonzalez / Staff Photographer)

One fun option is taking a cruise on the lake. Sail With Scott offers family, sunset and moonlight catamaran cruises, while Harbor Lights offers sunset, starlight and family cruises. Masks are recommended for passengers who are not fully vaccinated while inside the enclosed main deck and while boarding and disembarking the vessel.

Addresses vary by park.

Ray Roberts Lake

For those looking for a day trip, this 29,350-acre reservoir north of Denton is about an hour’s drive from Dallas. Running from the Ray Roberts dam to Lewisville Lake, the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor features 10 miles of hike-and-bike trails, as well as 12 miles of horseback-riding trails.

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Riders celebrate a friend's birthday by having a ride through the equestrian trail at Ray...
Riders celebrate a friend's birthday by having a ride through the equestrian trail at Ray Roberts Lake State Park on July 25, 2020.(Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

Within Ray Roberts Lake State Park, there are two main camping and recreation areas, Isle Du Bois and Johnson Branch, with hundreds of campsites to choose from. Online reservations are highly recommended for day passes and campsite use. Visitors to the lake can also rent kayaks and pontoon boats from the Ray Roberts Marina and Lone Star Lodge and Marina.

Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois Unit, 100 PW 4137, Pilot Point; Johnson Branch Unit, 100 PW 4135, Valley View.

Grapevine Lake

The 7,200-acre lake with 60 miles of shoreline features WhoaZone, a floating water park with slides, trampolines and obstacle courses open for family fun daily through Labor Day. With more than 40 miles of trails and opportunities to hike, bike, boat, camp and fish, visitors can plan day or weekend getaways. Additionally, DFW Surf offers rentals and weekly paddleboard classes, including stand-up paddleboard yoga classes. Camping reservations should be made in advance.

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Steve Reideler from Denton unloads his boat onto Grapevine Lake from Murrell Park on July...
Steve Reideler from Denton unloads his boat onto Grapevine Lake from Murrell Park on July 24, 2020 in Flower Mound. Reideler said he's been fishing Grapevine Lake for years and likes the family-friendly amenities that Murrell Park offers.(Juan Figueroa / Staff Photographer)

Charter boats offer another opportunity to get out on the water with Island Bound Adventures at Scott’s Landing Marina, as well as Black Watch Sailing, which sails the largest wooden-mast boat on the lake, and Sam’s Dock at Silver Lake Marina.

Addresses vary by park.

Joe Pool Lake

This 7,500-acre lake borders Cedar Hill State Park, Lynn Creek Park and Loyd Park, among others. Visitors can boat, camp, fish, kayak and swim. A popular attraction at Cedar Hill State Park, in addition to picnic areas, campsites and boat ramps, is the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center. Loyd Park is big on camping with 221 campsites but also has eight cabins and an 18-room lodge for those who prefer sleeping indoors. Additionally, canoes and kayaks for the paddling trail are available for rent. And Lynn Creek Park has 100-plus picnic shelters, a swimming beach and the Lynn Creek Marina, which offers boat rentals and sunset cruises. Online reservations are highly recommended for day passes and campsite use. Additionally, outdoor pavilions can be rented in advance.

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Burger’s Lake

On the west side of Fort Worth, Burger’s Lake is a 30-acre park featuring a 1-acre freshwater spring-fed swimming lake with two sandy beaches, over 300 picnic tables, charcoal grills, six diving boards, a 20-foot slide and a 25-foot trapeze. Admission is $15 per person.

1200 Meandering Road, Fort Worth.

A man plays with a couple of dogs at Lake Lavon in Avalon on Saturday, July 17, 2021.
A man plays with a couple of dogs at Lake Lavon in Avalon on Saturday, July 17, 2021.(Lola Gomez / Staff Photographer)
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Lavon Lake

This 21,400-acre lake near Wylie with 121 miles of shoreline is noted for its blue catfish, sunfish and crappie fishing. Boating, camping, hike-and-bike trails and swimming are among other fun things to do.

Lavon Lake features 19 boat ramps, five beaches, over 200 camping sites, six areas for large group picnics and a park that’s accessible for those with disabilities plus 16 other lakeside parks. Marinas are in Collin Park, which also features a campground, and East Fork Park, which offers equestrian sites and horseback riding trails. Also nearby is Trinity Trail, a 9-mile equestrian and hiking trail.

Addresses vary by park.

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Compiled by Linda Kessler, from staff reports.