Lake beaches near Dallas
Sourced below, last checked November 4, 2026. Confirm with the park office before you go.
The nearest public swim beach to downtown Dallas is Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake, about 26 min (20 mi). Ray Roberts Lake, Lake Tawakoni and Eisenhower on Lake Texoma are each roughly 75 to 95 minutes away. All are TPWD parks with an entry fee and no lifeguards.
| Cedar Hill SP (Joe Pool Lake) | Gravel swim beach with restrooms and a playground; $7 day use; 6 am to 10 pm; about 26 min (20 mi) [1] |
|---|---|
| Cedar Hill weekends | Buying a day pass ahead is recommended [2] |
| Ray Roberts Lake SP | Beach areas; $7; 6 am to 10 pm; Johnson Branch unit about 1 hr 22 min (65 mi) [3] |
| Ray Roberts access | A beach wheelchair is available [3] |
| Ray Roberts closure | Isle du Bois unit closed Jan 15 to 18 [4] |
| Lake Tawakoni SP | Swimming allowed on a 37,879-acre lake; $5; 6 am to 10 pm; about 1 hr 26 min (59 mi) [5] |
| Eisenhower SP (Texoma) | Swim along the shoreline; $5 adult; 8 am to 4:30 pm; about 1 hr 34 min (80 mi) [6] |
| Lifeguards | None in Texas state parks; swim in designated areas [7] |
Drive times are approximate: OSRM routing without traffic, data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Which beach fits
For a quick afternoon, Cedar Hill is inside the southwest suburbs and has the most built amenities. Ray Roberts has more than one unit (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch) and is the pick if someone in your group needs the beach wheelchair. Tawakoni, east of the city, spreads over 37,879 acres. Eisenhower, near Denison, has the shortest hours of the four, so go early.
Water data
- Water Data for Texas (TWDB): Joe Pool Lake: 519.79 ft, 90.6% full on 2026-11-04 (captured when this page was built).
- Water Data for Texas (TWDB): Ray Roberts: 630.62 ft, 93.4% full on 2026-11-04 (captured when this page was built).
- Water Data for Texas (TWDB): Tawakoni: 434.69 ft, 88.5% full on 2026-11-04 (captured when this page was built).
Readings show flow or level, not water safety.
Lake level does not tell you about bacteria or algae. Look for posted signs at the beach. Full Texoma details are on the Lake Texoma beaches page; creek and river swims are on swimming holes near Dallas.
Common questions
What is the closest swimming beach to Dallas?
Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake, roughly 25 minutes from downtown without traffic.
How much are Dallas area state park beaches?
Entry runs $5 to $7 per adult at the four parks listed, as of November 4, 2026.
Sources
- TPWD: Cedar Hill State Park. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Cedar Hill park alerts. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Ray Roberts Lake park alerts. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Lake Tawakoni State Park. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Eisenhower State Park. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: State park rules. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- Water Data for Texas: Joe Pool Lake. Last checked November 4, 2026.