The Lesser-Known Texas State Park Is A Lakeside Escape With Beautiful Campsites And Trails

If you want to escape the busy Southern cities for some peace in the green heart of Texas then there is a perfect place to do just that. The Ray Roberts Lake State Park is brimming with hiking opportunities and it has a plethora of campsites where visitors can sleep under the stars. It is only an hour's drive north of the bustling Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, so it is the ideal destination for leaving the city behind.

The park boasts almost 4,000 acres of land split into nine units. The main regions are Isle du Bois, Johnson Branch, and the Greenbelt Corridor. There are also six satellite areas which are Buck Creek in Grayson County; Jordan, Sanger, Pond Creek, and Elm Fork in Denton County;  and Pecan Creek in Cooke County. 

Outdoor thrills abound in whichever location you choose to explore, or you could stay here overnight and visit them all. If you are looking for a Texas state park adventure, then Ray Roberts Lake is the place for you.

There are trails all over the park, which makes it the perfect place for hiking, biking, horse riding, rollerblading, and finding geocaches. It is especially good for horse riders as there are equestrian-friendly campsites where you can stay overnight with your steed. Anglers will rejoice here as the huge Ray Roberts Lake contains bass species, crappie, and catfish. There are also beaches by the water to relax on. For those who want more of an adrenaline rush, you can go boating and jet skiing on the lake too.

Budding botanists are catered for, as there are over 300 plant species to be found along the park's trails. If wildlife is your thing, then look out for deer, raccoons, bats, beavers, armadillos, and skunks amongst other exciting mammals. Birdwatchers should search for species like roadrunners, herons, pelicans, hawks, owls, and woodpeckers. If you're staying overnight, make sure to stargaze as this is a great state park in Texas to see them.

There are dream camping and lodging destinations in three of the nine areas in Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Johnson Branch, Isle du Bois, and Jordan all have places to stay. Isle du Bois has the biggest selection of types of places to choose from — the Deer Ridge and Quail Run sites with electricity hookups, primitive campsites, equestrian sites, group camps, and double campsites.

Johnson Branch has numerous campsites at Jupiter Cove and Walnut Loop which have electricity hookups as well as primitive sites available. In Jordan, there is the Lone Star Lodge & Marina where you can stay in more luxurious accommodation on a ridge that looks over the lake. It is $125 for a standard room with a microwave, fridge, TV, and coffee maker. There is also a special suite for $249 a night which comes complete with a shower and bathtub. This lodge is a great place to watch the sunset before you go to sleep, ready for an action-packed day ahead of you. If you really love it, you can even choose to get married here!