Swim In Some Of The Southwest's Bluest Waters At This Beautiful Texas Lake Inside A Canyon

When you think of lake swimming in Texas, blue water may not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, you may have visions of the muddy, murky, mysterious water that fills many of the lakes in Texas. Heaven forbid, you might even think of highly dangerous brain-eating amoeba. However, when that lake is Possum Kingdom Lake, you'll find about 20,000 acres of clear, cerulean water, practically beckoning you in for a dip. Situated between the Palo Pinto Mountains and the Brazos River, this artificial lake is about two hours west of Fort Worth (home to America's largest haunted house, don't you know) and well worth the trip out.

Where the Brazos River and Jowell Creek meet, you'll find stunning limestone cliffs towering over the water, adding unique character to the landscape. This intersection — known as Hell's Gate and Devil's Island — is popular with boaters and even a few cliff jumpers. Don't worry about the fearsome names, either. Whether you're into camping, fishing, boating, watersports, hiking, or golfing, you can find it all at Possum Kingdom Lake.

On the west side of the lake, there's Possum Kingdom State Park, with plenty of opportunities to fish, hike, and camp. Depending on how much you like to rough it, you can rent a primitive walk-in site for tent camping for just $10 a night (keep in mind the bathroom is half a mile's walk away), plus a daily entrance fee of $4. Campsites with full hook-ups, nearby showers, and restrooms start at $20 plus a daily entrance fee. The park also offers air-conditioned cabins, which might be preferable if you're choosing to go in the summer. A cabin that sleeps four starts at $75 a night plus the daily entrance fee.

If you prefer a more upscale experience, you have lots of accommodations to choose from. The Cliffs Resort offers luxury accommodations and a golf course (rated 4.5 stars by Golf Digest) just 200 feet from the lake. Lush Resort is located on the lake between Hell's Gate and the dam and features several lakefront suites and bungalows (several of which are ADA-compliant).

Possum Kingdom Lake is arguably best known for being a great destination for a fishing adventure. In the past, visiting anglers have snagged trophy-sized Florida-strain largemouth and striped bass, and there are plenty of white bass available as well. If you just want to relax and swim with the kids, you have five different swim beaches to choose from located all around the lake.

Visitors to this lake also love bringing out boats of all kinds, everything from speed boats and pontoons to canoes and kayaks. If you visit Hell's Gate Party Cove during peak season (especially the Fourth of July), you can find dozens of boats tied together. Adrenaline junkies also love the spot between Hell's Gate and Devil's Island for cliff-diving. If you aren't interested in jumping from a great height, it's also a popular spot to watch other people do so, all from the safety of your pontoon. Boaters can find plenty of public boat ramps at Possum Kingdom State Park or any of the Brazos River Authority recreation areas for little to no fee.

If you're looking for something to do after the sun goes down, load up the car and head to a movie. Just about 30 miles up the road in the town of Graham, you'll find the oldest operating drive-in theater in Texas. Admission is only $7 for adults and $5 for kids and seniors.