| Ray Roberts Lake State Park | |
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 Ray Roberts Lake State Park, March 2019 | |
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| Location | Denton County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Pilot Point, Texas |
| Coordinates | 33°21′56″N 97°0′43″W / 33.36556°N 97.01194°W |
| Area | 3,777 acres (1,528 ha) |
| Created | 1993 |
| Named for | Ray Roberts |
| Visitors | 885,173 (in 2022)[1] |
| Operator | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is a state park located in Denton County, Texas, near Pilot Point, Texas. The park is 3,777 acres (1,528 ha).[2] It is very popular due to its proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area – in 2016, it was the 8th most popular Texas state park with 244,193 visitors.[3] The park is divided into nine units: three are developed (Johnson Branch, Isle du Bois, and the Greenbelt), and six have boat ramps with lake access (Buck Creek, Jordan, Sanger, Pond Creek, Elm Fork, and Pecan Creek).[4]
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Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Texas [Official]
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Ray Roberts Lake State Park May 2020
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Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois Unit, Texas State Park with kids
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Ray Roberts State Park, Pilot Point, TX, Review
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Ray Roberts Lake State Park Bike Trails - Texas Parks & Wildlife [Official]
Transcription
We're in northern Texas located about an hour north of Dallas - Ft Worth metroplex about 6 1/2 million people within an hour of us basically. This is fun hiking. It's just beautiful. It's amazing to be as close to the big city and you pull through the gate and it's quiet, it's just nice, nice place to stop. There's another one. For Warren Fortenberry a little fishing may be the perfect antidote for a long commute. As luck would have it Ray Roberts Lake State Park is right between where Warren works and lives. Nothing wrong with that. It's a good place to stop on the way home, waste a little time, I guess. If everybody could stop halfway home and go fishing, there'd probably be nicer people on the road. Maybe...I don't know. I enjoy it. The natural therapy comes in many forms at this park. It is a really beautiful and serene type setting. Well, it's usually serene. It really gives the visitor an opportunity to get away from the hassles of daily life and the traffic and get back to nature. The diversity of Ray Roberts Lake I think is what makes it so special. The variety of things to do or not do here regularly draws campers from DFW Outdoors. We are an outdoor adventure social events club based out of the Dallas - Ft. Worth area. We love to come to Lake Ray Roberts. It's one of our favorite places to come. We can hike and bike and camp here all in one weekend. We always like to look for a park that has extensive trails. It's an hour's drive. We can get out here and it's just great. This park is really a series of parks surrounding the 30,000 acre lake. Beyond the north and south units there is a full service marina, a lakeside lodge and restaurant, and a 10 mile greenbelt along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. If you're a horse person, this is a wonderful place to come. I've been riding here for about 10 years and the trails are beyond belief in their natural beauty. It's really an attraction and people actually move in this area now to have this park near them. Deb Trott is one of those people. She has moved just a few miles from Lake Ray Roberts. We spend a lot of time here, a lot of time, pretty much every weekend that I can. [music] It's just wonderful. One of the prettiest parks I've ever been to. It's a great place year round. It really is.
History
Humans have inhabited the Isle du Bois region for over 11,000 years. Native American tribes such as the Kiowa and the Comanche lived in the area around the 1500s. Settlers arrived in the mid-19th century, driving out most Native Americans. The ruins of a 19th century homestead can be found in the Isle du Bois unit of the park.[2]
Recreation
The park offers nature programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, nature study, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, wildlife observation, horse riding, geocaching, and camping. Facilities at the park are picnic sites, playground areas, campsites, an amphitheater, a lighted fishing pier, and over 6 miles (9.7 km) of hiking trails, as well as 39.4 miles (63.4 km) of DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bike Association) hike-and-bike trails and a 20 miles (32 km) greenbelt trail (12 miles (19 km) of which are open to horse riders).[4]
Also located within the park is the Lake Ray Roberts Marina, a privately operated full-service marina.[4]
Plant and animal life
The park is at the intersection of three ecoregions: Cross Timbers, Blackland Prairie, and Grand Prairie. As a result, it has land featuring the ecosystems of all three regions, including wooded areas and wetlands. Wildlife includes mammals, birds, fish, butterflies, lizards, and snakes.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b "Ray Roberts Lake State Park – History". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ Bradshaw, Kelsey (December 30, 2016). "The 10 most popular state parks in Texas in 2016". Chron.com (Houston Chronicle). Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ a b c "Ray Roberts Lake State Park". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
- ^ "Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Nature". Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
External links
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This page was last edited on 23 November 2023, at 02:19