Northlake TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Northlake, Texas.
1. Little Elm Beach
SANDY LAKE PARADISE
Little Elm Beach is a picture-perfect sandy beach situated on the shores of Lewisville Lake, offering a spacious area perfect for building sandcastles and relaxing in the sun. Visitors can enjoy ten beach volleyball courts overlooking the lake, along with walking trails that provide scenic views of Lake Lewisville. The beach serves as a hub for water activities with options like DFW Surf, Hydrous Wake, and The Cove providing opportunities to cool off during hot Texas summer days.
2. Lewisville Lake
BOATING AND RECREATION HAVEN
Lewisville Lake is a major recreational destination near Northlake offering opportunities for waterskiing, tubing, wakeboarding, fishing, and cruising. Both ski boats and pontoons are available for rent, allowing visitors to create a special day on the water with family and friends. The lake is surrounded by parks and access points, making it a popular spot for Dallas-Fort Worth residents seeking water-based activities and outdoor enjoyment.
3. Rockport Beach
TEXAS' ONLY BLUE WAVE
Rockport Beach holds the distinction of being Texas' only Blue Wave Beach, ensuring visitors experience super clean shores with complete amenities including handicap access and swimmable waters. The beach features picturesque palapas, smooth sand, and blue waters that create a Caribbean-like atmosphere perfect for Instagram-worthy snapshots. This family-friendly destination offers shallow, warm water during summer months along with play areas and a pavilion equipped with picnic tables and showers.
4. North Beach at Padre Island
DRIVABLE BEACH PARADISE
North Beach is located at the northernmost section of the Padre Island National Seashore, offering a 5-mile stretch of beach open to driving without requiring 4×4 vehicles. Visitors can expect stunning dunes, white soft sand, and clear blue waters creating an amazing visual experience similar to nearby Malaquite Beach. This beach is ideal for those who prefer to park directly on the beach and for travelers interested in free camping, though visitors should note there are no amenities and must drive to Malaquite's Beach Visitor Center for restrooms and showers.
5. Malaquite Beach
PRISTINE NATIONAL SEASHORE
Malaquite Beach is part of the protected Padre Island National Seashore located approximately 6 hours from the Dallas area, offering visitors a pristine Gulf Coast experience. The beach features visitor amenities including restrooms and showers while maintaining its natural beauty with minimal development. Nature lovers appreciate the beach for its wildlife viewing opportunities, including sea turtle nesting seasons and bird watching in one of Texas' most unspoiled coastal environments.
6. Port Aransas Beach
GULF COAST GETAWAY
Port Aransas Beach is a popular Gulf Coast destination about 6 hours from Dallas, known for its wide stretches of sand and access to deep sea fishing. Visitors can drive right onto certain sections of the beach, making it convenient for families with equipment or those looking to spend the entire day by the water. The beach town offers a relaxed atmosphere with seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and various accommodation options ranging from beachfront condos to camping areas.
7. Grapevine Lake
URBAN LAKESIDE ESCAPE
Grapevine Lake is a popular recreation destination near Northlake offering multiple beach and swimming areas including Meadowmere Park and Katie's Woods Park. The 8,000-acre lake provides opportunities for boating, fishing, paddleboarding, and kayaking, with rental facilities available for visitors without their own equipment. Surrounding the lake are hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, and campgrounds that make it an ideal day trip or weekend getaway for those in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
8. Lake Ray Roberts
NATURAL BEACH SETTING
Lake Ray Roberts features the Isle du Bois State Park with a sandy beach swimming area surrounded by trees and natural landscapes just a short drive from Northlake. Visitors can enjoy swimming in designated areas with nearby picnic facilities, hiking trails, and camping options for those looking to extend their stay. The lake is also popular for fishing, boating, and bird watching, offering a more natural and less developed waterfront experience compared to other area lakes.
9. Burger's Lake
SPRING-FED SWIMMING HOLE
Burger's Lake is a one-acre, spring-fed lake with a sandy beach located in Fort Worth, offering a unique swimming experience within driving distance of Northlake. The family-friendly destination features diving boards, water slides, fountains, and a trapeze for swinging into the water. Visitors appreciate the clean, clear water and additional amenities including volleyball courts, picnic tables, and trained lifeguards stationed throughout the swimming area.
10. White Rock Lake
URBAN OASIS EXPERIENCE
White Rock Lake is a 1,015-acre city lake in Dallas offering beautiful waterfront views, walking and biking trails, and various recreational activities within an hour's drive from Northlake. Though swimming is not permitted in the lake itself, visitors can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, and sailing with rental facilities available on-site. The lake is surrounded by White Rock Lake Park which features picnic areas, fishing piers, bird watching opportunities, and the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden on its eastern shore.
Northlake Things To Do
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