14 Great Dallas Beaches

When you think of the big city of Dallas, Texas, you probably are not thinking of Dallas beaches. Most people think of big hair, food, and hospitality instead.

Well, thanks to all of Dallas’s fabulous lakes, there are several beaches near Dallas where you can spend the day basking in the Texas sun.

These beaches in Dallas, Texas, are located in Dallas proper and the surrounding metroplex, making them quick and easy to visit.

Of course, you won’t be near the ocean as it is a several-hour drive from Dallas.

No, these Texas beaches are located on the shores of lakes spread throughout the North Texas area. All are within an hour’s drive of downtown Dallas, making easy day trips!

The proximity of these beaches in Dallas allows you to enjoy a day at the beach without the drive associated with visiting Texas coastal towns such as Corpus Christi, Galveston Island, Port Aransas, and South Padre Island.

While these beach towns make great Texas road trips, it is nice to have a close escape when you need one.

Check out some of the best beaches near Dallas to start planning your weekend getaway in Texas now!

I mean, Dallas is one of Texas’s best places to visit!

Follow Us on Social Media

White Rock Lake Park-Dallas, TX

White Rock Lake Park should be on everyone’s list of beaches in Dallas.

This is the only beach on our list within the city limits of Dallas!

Located about 5 minutes from downtown Dallas, White Rock Lake Park is the city’s go-to place for outdoor recreation.

Although no official beach was built into the lake, one has developed over recent years thanks to the receding water.

Families enjoy this stretch of sand in the Dallas city center. That isn’t the biggest draw to this lake, though.

The walking and biking trails and the proximity to the water draw visitors to this Dallas hot spot.

While in the area, don’t miss the opportunity to check out some great bars and restaurants near White Rock Lake.

Many of them make great Dallas date ideas, so keep that in mind when planning your outing to this area.

While visiting White Rock Lake Park, you can create your lakeside beach area and enjoy a day by the water.

Ticky Creek Park

Located on the shores of Lake Lavon, Ticky Creek Park is one of the free beaches near Dallas, Texas, to make our list.

The sizeable sandy beach is the perfect place to throw down a towel and bask in the Texas sun, and the calm waters make for the perfect place to swim and enjoy the water.

Take note, though, that Ticky Creek Park does not offer many amenities, so you will want to bring the supplies you will need for the day. All you will find here are parking and restrooms.

Joe Pool Lake

To find one of the best beaches in the area, head about 30 minutes from Dallas to Joe Pool Lake, and more specifically, Lynn Creek Park.

Lynn Creek Park is home to one of the most beautiful beaches in Dallas. The long stretch of white sandy beaches is perfect for sunbathing, building sand castles, or relaxing in the sun.

Of course, there are other amenities at Lynn Creek Park on Joe Pool Lake.

Here, you can enjoy a sand volleyball court for beach volleyball, a swimming area, and picnic tables.

Want to get out on the water? If so, take advantage of the boat ramp and nearby marina.

If you have a boat, don’t miss the opportunity to visit “Party Cove.”

This sandy beach area is the place to be on the weekends.

In the summer, people tie up their boats and jet skis and turn this area into a huge floating “block party”!

Lynn Creek Park also offers restrooms and changing rooms for visitors, making this one of the great lake beaches where you can spend the day.

There is a fee per vehicle to use the park, but if you are a Grand Prairie resident, you can get a discount.

Lynn Creek Park is open March-September from 6 am until 10 pm.

Read Next: 20 Fabulous Beaches in Texas

Pebble Beach Park

sunset over one of the lakes in Dallas-Lake Lavon

Located on Lake Lavon, about 50 minutes from downtown Dallas, Pebble Beach Park is a fun beach park where you can spend the day.

Enjoy the sandy shoreline at one of the many on-site picnic tables before lunch.

When ready to get on the water, you can use the free boat ramp to launch your kayak, canoe, or boat.

The great thing about Pebble Beach Park is that few people visit it. I guess that is because it is a little off the beaten path.

With that in mind, you should pack whatever you need for the day, as there are few amenities besides covered picnic tables.

So, pack up your food, drinks, sunscreen, and floats before heading to this sandy beach.

Pebble Beach Park is free and open from April through September.

Willow Grove Park

If you are looking for a lesser-known beach area in Dallas to get away from the crowds, consider Willow Grove Park on Lake Lewisville.

While Willow Grove Park is one of the smaller Texas beaches on our list, it still makes for a nice day out near the water.

In addition to the sandy beach, there are fishing piers, boat ramps, and a nice little swimming area on Lake Lewisville.

Collin Park

sunset over lake Lavon-beaches in Dallas

Head to Collin Park on Lake Lavon for a fun little getaway with sandy beaches, marinas, and boat ramps.

Lake Lavon is one of North Texas’s largest lakes and has over 120 miles of shoreline, so it contains some of the best beaches near Dallas.

One of the noteworthy parks on this 21,000-acre lake is Collin Park.

Collin Park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy hiking trails, boating, camping, picnic tables, areas for horseback riding, and more while visiting this North Texas park.

Of course, one of the best beaches near Dallas is also located here. This stretch of sand allows visitors to sunbathe, swim, and play beach volleyball.

There is even a restaurant on-site if you don’t want to hassle with picnic supplies.

There is a day-use and camping site fee if you stay overnight.

Burger’s Lake

One of the Dallas beaches that has entertained families for generations is Burger’s Lake.

The sandy beach at Burger’s Lake boasts all sorts of fun recreational activities in crystal-clear water, thanks to the spring-fed water that is cleaned and filtered before being added to the lake.

This sandy shoreline isn’t the only sand in the lake; the entire floor of Burger’s Lake contains a sandy bottom similar to the beach.

Honestly, the sandy beaches do not draw visitors to this Dallas, Texas, hot spot. It is the fun slides and diving boards that keep people coming back for more.

In addition, there are always lifeguards on duty and a splash pad for little kids to enjoy.

You can bring your picnic supplies or purchase food from the concession stand. As the name suggests, the concession stand serves burgers, pizza, snow cones, ice cream, and more.

Stewart Creek Park

Another Lake Lewisville favorite, Stewart Creek Park, offers families an opportunity to enjoy one of the fun beaches in Dallas.

Stewart Creek Park has covered picnic areas, barbeque grills, picnic tables, and more for you to enjoy while visiting one of the best beaches near Dallas.

Enjoy the beach volleyball, biking, hiking trails, and more while enjoying these Dallas beaches.

Known as being one of the cleanest beaches in Dallas, people often flock to Stewart Creek Park, so be sure to get here early to claim the perfect spot on the sandy beach.

Meadowmere Park

sunset over lake Grapevine, one of the Dallas lakes

One of the best beaches near Dallas to take the kids to is Meadowmere Park!

Located about 30 minutes outside of Dallas, Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine is loaded with things to do.

I’m not talking about ordinary “lake stuff.” I am talking about the largest floating aqua park obstacle course in Texas! Now, that makes this one of the best beaches for sure!

Named the WhoaZone, this floating obstacle course will have you bouncing and begging for more! The WhoaZone is open to children ages seven and up, so even “adult children” can participate!

In addition to the water fun, you can rent games like corn hole and water vessels like kayaks and paddleboards.

You can also enjoy the hiking trails and picnic areas during your visit.

Of course, there are places to relax as well. You can escape the Texas sun under their umbrellas and chairs in the sand.

Lake Park

Lake Park is located about 30 minutes from Dallas, Texas, and is a great place to spend the afternoon.

The area around Lake Park is full of activities, including golfing, camping, walking trails, biking, and more.

While the beach here is not sandy, it is still a nice little area to enjoy. The water is shallow, so it is easy for kids to enjoy under the watchful eye of an adult.

Lake Park also offers playgrounds and various ball fields, including soccer, softball, baseball, and football.

However, there is a cost per vehicle for non-residents.

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill State Park is one of the closest beaches to Dallas (other than White Rock Lake Park).

Located about 20 minutes from the city center, Cedar Hill State Park is a quick and easy Dallas beach.

While this state park does not have a sandy beach (it is a pebble beach park), it does have barbecue pits, picnic tables, and plenty of land to explore.

Of course, the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake that the state park rests on offers plenty of water activities.

Try fishing on one of the fishing docks or enjoy exploring the many nature trails in the area.

The kids will love the playground area, and the adults will enjoy the ample shade.

One of the best things about this park is the well-marked swimming areas, which help ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying the Texas beaches.

Ray Roberts State Park

Ray Roberts State Park is located about an hour outside of Dallas, near the fun college town of Denton, Texas.

Spending a day (or a weekend) at Ray Roberts Park is the perfect way to enjoy summer fun outside.

This state park offers visitors the opportunity to explore 29,000 acres, so there is plenty to keep you busy.

Thanks to that vast amount of land and the nine different sections of the park, it is easy to feel like you have the entire place to yourself!

In addition to the four beaches in the park, there are numerous hiking trails, a marina, and several places to enjoy an afternoon picnic.

You can even bring your horse and go horseback riding on the property!

On a hot summer day, you will want to get in the water, and Ray Roberts State Park offers numerous places to do just that! One of the favorites is Isle du Bois and its small sandy beach.

Of course, if you want to be out on the water, you can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, or cruising in your motorboat.

There is an entrance fee per person, but kids 12 and under get in free!

Little Elm Park

A list of Dallas beaches must include Little Elm Park, located on the beautiful shores of Lake Lewisville.

This fun park is beautiful and wants to ensure that everyone stays safe on our Texas lakes. This shines through thanks to the life vest loans that are available on-site.

Little Elm Park is not short on things to do either.

Here, you can play beach volleyball, rent kayaks and paddleboards, play in the playground, and enjoy the picnic areas with barbecue grills.

If you are so inclined, you can also play softball on the softball fields or explore the hiking and biking trails.

Little Elm Park is open year-round, and there is an entry fee per vehicle during the peak season (weekends May 1-Labor Day).

Read Next: 19 State Parks Near San Antonio

Granbury City Beach Park

One of the best beaches near Dallas is Granbury City Beach Park in the fun small town of Granbury, Texas.

Located about an hour outside of Dallas, Granbury is the perfect Texas town to enjoy a day of exploring.

The town square has cute boutique shops, restaurants, and wineries.

A couple of blocks from the town square is the awesome Granbury City Beach Park.

Granbury Lake, part of the Brazos River, has always been a recreational hot spot.

The city chose to make it even better when they added the city beach several years ago. This sandy shoreline is perfect for cooling off from the hot Texas sun.

The protected swimming area is perfect for relaxing in the water, and the thatch-roofed picnic areas add a tropical feel to the environment.

Like Little Elm Park, Granbury City Beach offers free life jackets and an area to rent paddleboards, floats, kayaks, and more!

Again, don’t miss the town square, which is within walking distance of the beach. It is a real small-town treat!

The best part is that it is entirely free! Yes, you read that correctly: FREE!

Like This Post? Please Share It On Social Media!

Michelle Snell-Founder/Writer

Born and raised in Texas, Michelle Snell graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her Master’s Degree from Texas Wesleyan University. Her passion for travel has taken her all over the world. She has received multiple awards for her writing. She has been featured in numerous publications, including Travel Awaits, Fort Worth Magazine, Fort Worth Weekly, NewsBreak, Voyage Dallas, Ella Inspires Magazine, and more. You can view her complete profile on MuckRacks.