The Top Best Lakes in Texas

Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at Possum Kingdom Lake
Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series at Possum Kingdom Lake | © Red Bull
Amanda Ogle

From watersports and world-class fishing to camping and bird-watching, lakes across Texas offer fun and relaxation for all. Here are some of the best lakes across the state for all outdoor enthusiasts.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Inks Lake

Park

Inks Lake, Texas

In the Texas Hill Country about an hour northwest of Austin lies Inks Lake, a reservoir on the Colorado River with rock outcroppings, wildlife, and plenty of foliage. The lake is a refuge away from the hustle and bustle of the city, which makes it perfect for camping. There are nearly 200 campsites at Inks Lake State Park and 22 cabins (two of which are ADA-accessible). Many of these sites are lakeside, and several camping loops have playgrounds. The state park also has nine miles of hiking trails through shaded forests and rocky hills, and the park store sells camping supplies, souvenirs, and snacks.

Lake Amistad

Park

Lake Amistad, Texas

Northwest of Del Rio, where the Devils River meets the Rio Grande River, lies Lake Amistad. While the area has great fishing and recreational activities, the lake’s cave paintings are what make it special. This area was once home to Native Americans, who left behind the cave paintings for modern-day boaters to enjoy. Amistad National Recreation Area has two major rock art sites open for public visitation: Panther Cave and Parida Cave. Check lake conditions before visiting by calling the park visitor center.

Lake Travis

Park

Windy Point Park on Lake Travis in Austin, Texas

With more than 270 miles of shoreline, Lake Travis near Austin has some of the best beaches around. Popular beach spots are Windy Point Park and Montina Beach. For those 18 and up, Hippie Hollow Park on Lake Travis is clothing optional and offers spectacular views, a designated swimming area, and hiking trails. There are numerous lodging options along Lake Travis that range from basic tent camping to luxurious resorts.

Lake Buchanan

Park

The lighthouse at Lake Buchanan, Texas

Close to Inks Lake, Lake Buchanan offers boating, fishing, camping, and more open-water fun. But it’s the birding that has visitors coming back for repeated visits. Lake Buchanan is a haven for winged creatures, and visitors can spot little blue herons, great blue herons, crested caracaras, American white pelicans, black vultures, great horned owls, red tailed hawks, osprey, and the American bald eagle. Vanishing Texas Cruises even offers scenic wilderness cruises around the lake, and a special eagle cruise during cooler months.

Possum Kingdom Lake

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A view of Possum Kingdom Lake from Lake Shore Lodge near Graham, Texas

Known as “PK” to locals, you’re more than likely to find a party on this lake. The lake is known for Hell’s Gate—two towering cliffs that stand as “gates” to the entry of a cove on the south end of the lake—and is where partygoers flock during warm months. On the Fourth of July, boaters head out to Hell’s Gate early to tie up their boats and wait for the epic firework show at night over the cliffs. During the day, think ski boats, jet skis, people on floats in the water, and Jello shots being thrown via slingshots from boat to boat. This has also been the site for recent Red Bull Cliff Diving competitions, where divers from across the world freefall from as high as 88 feet into the waters below. Even when there’s not a major event happening, this is the place for a good time.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir

Park

Flooded cypress trees and lily pads on Lake Sam Rayburn, Texas

Way out in East Texas north of Beaumont is Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the largest reservoir completely in the state of Texas. With 114,500 acres of surface area, Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a fisherman’s sanctuary, where massive catfish, bass, crappie, and more can be caught all year long. The reservoir is even a location for the Big Bass Splash, the largest amateur fishing tournament in the state. Other critters in the reservoir include alligator gar, bowfin, and alligators.

Lake Texoma

Park

Lake Texoma at Eisenhower State Park outside Denison, Texas

Located on the Texas-Oklahoma border, Lake Texoma is one of the largest reservoirs in the U.S. With a surface area of almost 75,000 acres, this lake is a paradise for water sport enthusiasts who need room to get wild. More than 6 million people visit the lake each year, and the lake features almost 20 marinas to make water skiing, boating, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, jet skiing, and kayaking a breeze.

Eagle Mountain Lake

Park
Just north of Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake has a history of being a boater’s lake. Eagle Mountain is home to the world-class Fort Worth Boat Club, which was founded in 1929 and today still has active members and events like annual regatta competitions. Spread out across almost 9,000 acres, this lake is great for cruising around or anchoring down for some R&R.

Lady Bird Lake

Park

Lady Bird Lake Austin

Situated right in downtown Austin is Lady Bird Lake, named after former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. This is a popular lake for kayaking, canoeing, rowing, and paddle boarding, and no motorized watercraft are allowed on the lake, keeping it peaceful and serene. The lake’s prime location in the city means it’s close to hotels, shopping, hiking trails, restaurants, and more, making it a great lake for city folk who need a getaway but can’t escape the concrete jungle.

Lake Cypress Springs

Park

Lake Cypress Springs, Texas

For sheer beauty, head out to Lake Cypress Springs, about two hours east of Dallas. The lake is spring-fed, so water levels tend to stay the same year-round. Popular activities here are camping, boating, and swimming in the clear water. Keep an eye out for the beautiful homes lining the shore.

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Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

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HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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