Mesquite is set halfway between downtown Dallas and one of the biggest draws in north Texas—Lake Ray Hubbard. The 22,000-acre lake is one of the largest in the state, with plenty of room to play. On the water, boaters hit the throttle for water skiers along 13 miles of waves. Anglers cast for abundant sport fish, including channel and blue catfish, and white, hybrid stripped, and largemouth bass. Picturesque marinas offer plenty of people and boat watching and grassy lawns along the shore call for sunbathing and picnicking. And you can get out on the water faster by starting your day in Mesquite.
Getting to Know Lake Ray Hubbard
It doesn’t take long to realize that Lake Ray Hubbard is big—and there’s a lot to do there. Most people start their adventure by traveling to one of the parks surrounding the lake. Some of your best options include:
Lakeside Park South : This park in Rowlett is filled with picnic tables and barbecue grills. There are hiking trails, a volleyball court, and paddleboat rentals as well. There is plenty of space to play with the dog and a pier for fishing.
Windsurf Bay Park : As the name suggests, this is a popular destination for windsurfers. You’ll also find lots of open space for a football game or Frisbee, but swimming is not permitted here, and there is no boat ramp.
Pecan Grove Park : This park is located next to the Rowlett Community Centre and the Wet Zone, which includes a massive water park for summertime fun. The park features a 1-mile walking trail, a Kids Kingdom play structure, and picnic tables.
Terry Park: In the city of Heath, Terry Park has two nice boat ramps, making it an excellent spot to put your boat in the lake. There are newly built restrooms, a pavilion, picnic tables, and a milelong walking trail as well.
John Paul Jones Park : This small park in the city of Garland on the west shore of the lake isn’t huge, but it does have a good fishing pier and a walking trail along the lake. There’s a boat ramp, restrooms, and picnic facilities—plus it’s across the street from a Bass Pro Shop if you need supplies.
Don’t have a boat of your own? No problem, there are plenty of rental options on the lake. At Chandlers Landing Marina, Suntex Watersports can help you with a sport boat, pontoon boat, or Waverunner to explore the lake. If you want to get a group together out on the lake for a good time, Party Boat Dallas rents 12-person, double-decker boats that come with a grill and plenty of deck space to entertain. It rents Waveriders as well.
Looking for something a little more subdued? Take to the lake in a kayak. At Kayak Instruction Inc., you can rent boats as well as take classes and clinics to learn how to use them better. If you’re interested in trying a stand-up paddleboard, check out Lakeside Paddlesports, which has a big fleet of rentals.
Lake Ray Hubbard is also one of the area’s best spots for fishing, with white and hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, channel and blue catfish, and white crappie all prevalent in the lake. While you really can’t go wrong anywhere on the lake, the area around the heated discharge on the west side of I-30 is known as a good spot for sport fishing.
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