Morphy is a small lake located at the base of Sangre de Cristo mountains. The lake is hidden among a forest of pine trees and is now accessible by a recently paved road. This is a popular fishing destination and a great place to get some paddling in, especially if you are planning on camping for the weekend - very secluded and scenic. Be prepared for cold water immersion while on this lake, even if you don't plan on capsizing. $5 entrance fee per vehicle.

White Rock Lake is located in the city of Dallas and is a great place to set out paddling for the day and enjoy nature, especially in the summer when it is hot. Paddlers may encounter some wildlife and birdlife in the area and there is also great opportunity for fishing. There are kayak and canoe rentals available at the lake.

This trail located in the capital city of Austin provides an abundance of recreational opportunities without having to leave the city. The paddling trail can be accessed by eight different launch sites giving paddlers the option to choose how far they want to travel and what areas they want to explore. There are hike and bike trails that follow the shores of Lady Bird Lake and parks with playgrounds and picnic tables for those paddlers who want to stop and enjoy the area for a while. There is also great fishing at the lake and lots of wildlife and birdlife to be seen.

This route covers the first five access points of the Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail starting at Hwy 6 and ending at Briar Bend. The Buffalo Bayou trail in its entirety is 26 miles long. This distance could be long to cover in just one day but with 10 access points along the trail, paddlers have the option of choosing what distance they want to cover. The water flow is mostly calm but is dependent on current water conditions which are determined by things like rainfall runoff and water releases from surrounding reservoirs. There may be log jams and other strainers along the route at times so portaging around these areas may be necessary.

Lake Arrowhead is a beautiful spot to seek adventure near Wichita Falls. The best access to the lake is from a boat launch on the north side of the lake. There is a large campground nearby inside Lake Arrowhead State Park. Several portions of this Lake are bordered by development and privately owned property, so avoid these sections and seek out multitudinous coves and lake arms which are deserted.

Lake Texoma, located on the border between Texas and Oklahoma, is an artificial reservoir on the Red River. The dam creates a vast open, if fairly shallow, water body open to recreation of all sorts. There are numerous small inlets and coves great for exploring by kayakers, or hit the open water in a canoe. Watch out for large craft on the water which often can’t see small man-powered craft.

This long, narrow lake offers long and diverse coastline for exploration from the water. Most of the west side of the lake abuts residential development with private docks and launches, but various public access points can be found along the eastern shore. Parks are also liberally dispersed along the lake shores as well. With the size of the lake and extensive private and public access, make sure to watch for the numerous watercraft, especially of the motorized variety, particularly towards the more open center portions of the lake.

With several long narrow fingers, this lake offers varied water adventures. Plenty of spots give access to the lake. For public access we recommend a boat launch at Hidden Cove Park on the east side of the lake. Explore the small coves to the east if you’re new to a canoe adventure, or for more experienced adventurers, venture out into the other arms of the lake to the north and west.

Offering access to the water without having to travel far, this lake is surrounded by several neighborhoods convenient to the city. There is plenty of open water and several docks to put in. Fog can be especially thick in winter months, so be sure to take precautions to see and be seen.

This lake is far from the large cities of Texas, so if you’re looking for a place away from the crowds, this is a great adventure for you. Pat Mayse Lake sits in the midst of the Pat Mayse Wildlife Management Area, and is therefore perfect for man-powered craft like kayaks and canoes. Access is on a small loop of a road that dead-ends near the lake on the east side of the west extent of the lake.