Lake

Rent a pontoon boat and cruise Broken Bow Lake with the whole family. The lake is known for scuba-clear water and the Ouachita Mountain scenery is stunning from every angle. Pontoon boats are steady and spacious making them perfect for groups with small kids. You can swim off the back, fish, or just cruise the coves looking for wildlife. Half-day rentals are the best value and give you plenty of time to find a quiet cove and jump in. The marina also rents jet skis and tubes for older kids who want more speed.

One of Oklahoma’s most visited state parks spanning over 3400 acres of Ouachita Mountain forest along the Mountain Fork River. Kids can hike miles of shaded trails, fish in the river, paddle on Broken Bow Lake, or explore the nature center. The miniature train ride is a huge hit with little ones and the seasonal pool near the lodge is perfect for cooling off. Between the towering pines and crystal-clear water, it feels a world away from the flatlands most families drive in from.

A 14000-acre reservoir in the Ouachita Mountains famous for crystal-clear water that rivals any lake in the region. With 180 miles of shoreline families can find calm shallow coves perfect for little swimmers. Pack a picnic and set up camp on a rocky shore while the kids splash for hours. On warm days the water practically glows turquoise and the mountain backdrop makes it feel like a destination lake out west rather than southeastern Oklahoma.

Stand-up paddleboarding on Broken Bow Lake is a must-try for families with older kids. The water is so clear you can see the bottom in many spots and the calm coves are perfect for beginners learning to balance. PaddleSUP is the premier local outfitter with board rentals and lessons right on the lake. Kids pick it up fast and love the independence of cruising around on their own board. On a calm morning the lake surface looks like glass and you can paddle to a nearby island in about 15 minutes for a fun destination goal.

A 180-acre reservoir with a roped-off swim area and a gently sloping pebble beach that is one of the easiest free lake days near Austin. Kids love the playground right next to the water and the 3-mile paved loop around the lake is perfect for family bike rides or stroller walks. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on site so you can turn a simple swim into a full water adventure. The picnic areas with grills make it easy to stay all day without spending a dime on food.

A well-maintained Army Corps park on Lake Georgetown with a swim beach and one of the best campgrounds in Central Texas. The sites are large and well-spaced under mature oaks and the park connects directly to the Good Water Trail for hiking and biking. The fishing is excellent from the shore and from the accessible fishing pier. Kids love the massive playground near the swim area.

An uncrowded state park with two units on Cooper Lake in Northeast Texas. The South Sulphur Unit has a swim beach and screened shelters that are perfect for family camping. The Doctor’s Creek Unit offers equestrian camping and longer hiking trails through bottomland forest. The park rarely hits capacity which means you can often get a campsite on short notice when other parks are full.

A small gem of a park built around an 80-acre lake that is widely considered one of the most beautiful spots in East Texas especially in fall when the sweetgums and oaks blaze with color. Kids can swim at the sandy beach or rent paddleboats to explore the lake. The 2.5-mile trail circling the lake is easy enough for young hikers and the CCC-era stone dam is an impressive piece of history.

A Corps of Engineers park on the southeast shore of Lake Lavon with a sandy swim beach that is one of the best-kept secrets in Collin County. The campground has full hookups and sits right on the lake with excellent sunset views. Kids can fish from the shore and there is a big playground near the beach area.

Perched on limestone bluffs above Lake Texoma with some of the most dramatic overlooks of any Texas state park. The trails wind right along the cliff edges with views that make kids gasp and parents grip hands a little tighter. Swimming in the lake is excellent and the campsites range from tent pads to full-hookup RV sites with easy water access.

Austin’s oldest city park sits on a bend of Lake Austin with a designated swimming area that has a gradual sandy entry perfect for small kids. The campground overlooking the lake is one of the few places you can camp within Austin city limits and the road down to the park winds through dramatic limestone canyon walls. Turkey Creek Trail connects to the park and offers a solid hike through Hill Country terrain.

A 26.5-mile trail circling Lake Georgetown that is one of the longest and most scenic hiking trails in Central Texas. Families do not need to tackle the whole loop because several trailheads let you hike shorter sections. The Overlook Trail segment has dramatic canyon views and the Cedar Breaks section runs right along the lakeshore. The terrain is rugged Hill Country limestone so sturdy shoes are a must.

A forested state park surrounding Lake Raven in the Sam Houston National Forest where families can rent canoes and kayaks right at the park store. The 8-mile trail loop through towering loblolly pines is beautiful for hiking and mountain biking. The lake swim area has a sandy bottom and the campground stays shaded under the pine canopy even in the heat of summer.

One of the best family swimming spots in the Hill Country with a spring-fed lake that stays full even during droughts. The designated swim area has a small sandy beach and the Devil’s Waterhole is a legendary cliff jumping spot that older kids and teens live for. Canoe and kayak rentals are available right at the park and the 7.5-mile trail system offers Hill Country hiking with lake views throughout.

A no-wake reservoir on the Colorado River through downtown Austin where families can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore miles of calm water surrounded by the city skyline and lush greenery. Kids love spotting turtles sunning on logs and the occasional great blue heron hunting along the banks. The 10-mile hike-and-bike trail around the lake is one of the best urban trails in Texas for families on foot or wheels.

A well-maintained park on a 9,460-acre East Texas lake with excellent fishing and a roped swimming area that families appreciate. The lighted fishing pier is great for evening outings and the bike trail loop through pine forest is fun for kids of all riding abilities. Campsites are shaded and well-spaced with some sitting right on the water. It is less visited than many state parks which means weekend availability is usually good.

A classic Texas state park with a renovated swim beach and fishing pier on Lake Brownwood. The CCC-era stone cabins have been updated and offer a comfortable family overnight option. The Cross Timbers Hiking Trail connects to the nearby Cross Timbers Nature Trail with interpretive signs that teach kids about the ancient Post Oak Belt. The park store rents fishing gear which makes first-time fishing trips easy to pull off.

A network of easy lakeside trails on the south side of Grapevine Lake that are perfect for families who want a scenic walk without a difficult workout. The packed dirt paths wind through open meadows and wooded areas with constant lake views. Kids enjoy spotting great blue herons on the shoreline and the trails connect to Oak Grove Park with picnic shelters and a playground.

A state park in two units connected by a 21-mile rail-to-trail that is perfect for family mountain biking and hiking. The Birch Creek Unit has a swim beach on the lake and the Nails Creek Unit has excellent fishing. Kids love spotting the white-tailed deer that are abundant throughout the park. The trail between units passes through rolling post oak savanna and makes a great day ride for families with older kids on bikes.

A peaceful state park on the shores of Lake Tawakoni about an hour east of Dallas with a sandy swim beach and shaded campsites that fill up fast on summer weekends. The 5.5-mile trail system is easy and well-marked through post oak forest. Kids love fishing from the lighted pier and the swimming area has a gentle sandy slope that is perfect for younger children.