Escaping the Texas heat is an absolute necessity during the hot months of summer.
If you live in Houston, you will be happy to know that there are several fun lakes in the area!
While Houston, TX, is known for its fabulous museums and great restaurants, it is important to know that there are loads of great things to do around Houston to help you cool off in the summer, including these lakes!
These Houston area lakes are a fabulous way to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, making for the perfect day or weekend getaway!
So, let’s get busy exploring these Texas lakes and state parks close to Houston!
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Lake Houston
A reservoir on the San Jacinto River makes up Lake Houston.
The proximity to Houston, TX, makes this a quick and easy Houston lake to visit.
Locals and tourists alike flock to this body of water to spend the day swimming and fishing in this gorgeous clearwater lake.
Fishermen love coming here to try their hand at catching catfish, crappie, bass, and more.
During your time here, visit the Lake Houston Wilderness Park.
This park offers guests the opportunity to enjoy equestrian trails and hiking trails.
The Wilderness Park does charge an entry fee, but it is a nice, quiet place to visit as it is not directly on Houston Lake.
While in the area, visit some surrounding businesses to enjoy golfing, shopping, and, of course, some fabulous local restaurants.
Sheldon Lake
Sheldon Lake, another one of the lakes in the Houston area, is a great escape into nature.
Visiting this lake is a great experience as you never have to leave the city center to experience this getaway!
Making it a great little escape from your office!
28 natural ponds make up this area.
This unique terrain means that numerous wildlife species also call this area home.
Sheldon Lake is home to birds, fish, and even alligators!
This area is also used to teach kids about the benefits of alternative energy.
The energy housed here includes solar energy, energy from wind turbines, and more.
You will also find trails around the lake that are great for exercise.
While exercising, don’t overlook the local flora and fauna surrounding the lake.
Lake Raven
Head just over an hour from Houston, and you will find Lake Raven, located inside Huntsville State Park.
Huntsville State Park encompasses over 2,000 acres of land.
This fabulous state park will surround you with wildlife, nature, and pine trees!
One of the big draws of Lake Raven is the fishing!
Plenty of fish are waiting to be caught thanks to the three natural creeks feeding the lake.
Fishermen are known to pull bass, crappie, and catfish out of this lake!
If you don’t have any equipment to fish with, you can rent a fishing pole from the State Park store!
If this isn’t your thing, don’t worry; there are other ways to access this lake.
You can swim in the protected swimming area or enjoy all of the open land of the State Park.
Other popular activities on this lake include enjoying the water using one of the canoes, paddle boats, or kayaks, which are also available for rent.
Double Lake Recreation Area
Visitors to the Sam Houston National Forest, located about 1 hour from Downtown Houston, Texas, will find the Double Lake Recreation Area.
This Recreation Area is the perfect place to spend a day, especially if you want to swim.
That makes sense, though, since the site in the Sam Houston National Forest was intended as a retreat for the local people.
Built in 1973, this is a great place to enjoy fishing, camping, swimming, boating, picnicking, take a hike, and more.
The most popular activity in this lake is fishing, as it is stocked with bass and catfish. Enjoy fishing from the three fishing piers on site.
If you prefer to fish from the water, you can use a small boat with an electric motor or a canoe. In the warmer months, you can even rent one on-site.
Other recreation here includes swimming in the sandy beach area and hiking on the paths leading to the nearby Big Creek Scenic Area.
You can also ride your mountain bike on the mountain biking trail.
Read Next: 20 Best Waterfalls in Texas
Lake Longhorn
The small Texas town of League City, TX, is about 35 minutes from Downtown Houston, TX, and is home to the privately managed Lake Longhorn.
This Houston, TX, escape is a mecca for those who love scuba diving, as it offers everything you need for a great day of scuba diving.
Once at Longhorn, you can rent scuba gear, take an underwater training class, or get busy scuba diving if you are already certified.
If the thought of scuba scares you, don’t worry; you can still have fun at Longhorn.
Other popular activities include swimming, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding.
There is an entry fee to visit Longhorn, and you must sign a waiver before gaining entrance, but this is a great Houston area getaway.
Lake Livingston
A great day trip from Houston is Lake Livingston.
Livingston is about an hour north of Houston, making it a great weekend escape from the Texas heat.
As the second-largest lake in Texas, Livingston has something for everyone!
Here, you can enjoy skiing, boating, cruising, kayaking, or fishing on the water.
Livingston’s large size (over 93,000 acres) means that this body of water rarely feels crowded.
If you don’t have your boat, you can rent one to enjoy a day on the water.
The parks surrounding the water allow visitors to enjoy camping while offering amenities such as boat ramps, lodging facilities, and dining options.
Arboretum Lake
The Arboretum Lake is located in the heart of Houston, making this the perfect spot for a quick escape into nature.
As part of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, the Arboretum has a great selection of Texas flora and fauna to enjoy!
Granted, swimming isn’t allowed at this lake, but that’s okay since there is more to do.
The miles of jogging and walking trails around the lake give you plenty to do to enjoy nature in this area.
The best thing about this park is that it is free to enjoy! It’s one of the many free things to do in Houston, Texas!
Kinder Lake
Kinder Lake is a great place to visit if you want to rent kayaks (or bring your kayaks).
Located in the middle of the city, Kinder is an easy escape.
Take note that Kinder gets busy on the weekend. It fills with remote-controlled boats and kayaks as people set out to enjoy a day on the water.
Since Kinder is located near Discover Green, it is a great place for families.
McGovern Lake
McGovern Lake is another of the Texas lakes near Houston that should be on your list.
McGovern is the perfect place to relax in nature, but not the place to do any swimming.
Instead of swimming in McGovern, enjoy a day in nature and watch for the migratory birds known to visit the islands in this area.
McGovern is also a great place to try catch-and-release fishing for free if you are under 12 and over 65.
Lake Conroe
Head outdoors to Lake Conroe, which contains over 22,000 acres of surface water.
This man-made lake is perfect for swimming, boating, fishing, and more. Seriously, Conroe forces you to relax.
Spend a day on the water in a boat before heading to the west bank of Lake Conroe, where you will find a fabulous park.
The facilities at this 13-acre park make for the perfect outdoor setting.
The kids will love having an area to swim and catch some fish from the fishing piers.
In addition to this, adults will love serving the kids a freshly cooked meal from the barbecue pits.
Of course, these amenities don’t come for free. There is a per-person entry to use the park resources.
If you don’t want to pay, consider using the free-use areas like Scott’s Ridge Swim Site.
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About the Author:
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.
