Outdoors
Lakes, reservoirs and rivers near McKinney for boating, kayaking, canoeing and paddleboarding.
Good to know: Life jackets are required for children on most waters, and many lakes require an invasive-species inspection or a launch fee.
13 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Clear Lake Campground has a prime location on the shores of Lavon Lake. It is the only shaded campground at the lake, and provides a quiet space for anglers, bird watchers and photographers.
13 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
East Fork Campground, on the southern shores of Lavon Lake, is a popular escape for city dwellers in the Dallas, Texas area or for any visitors passing through the Northern Texas region.
13 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Lakeland Pavilion is a pleasant picnic pavilion and large group campground accommodating up to 500 visitors for picnicking, boating and fishing on Lavon Lake.
Map of 31 places loads as you scroll.
Clear Lake Campground has a prime location on the shores of Lavon Lake. It is the only shaded campground at the lake, and provides a quiet space for anglers, bird watchers and photographers.
East Fork Campground, on the southern shores of Lavon Lake, is a popular escape for city dwellers in the Dallas, Texas area or for any visitors passing through the Northern Texas region.
Lakeland Pavilion is a pleasant picnic pavilion and large group campground accommodating up to 500 visitors for picnicking, boating and fishing on Lavon Lake.
The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in nearby McKinney features natural history exhibits and nature trails.
Lavonia Campground is a scenic Texas getaway just beyond the Dallas metropolitan area. Visitors can camp, swim, fish, boat or use the day use area.
Hickory Creek sits on the extremely popular Lewisville Lake near Dallas, Texas. The almost 30,000-acre reservoir attracts a fair amount of visitors in summer months with warm water temperatures and excellent fishing opportunities.
Just north of Dallas, popular Lewisville Lake is a 29,592 acre lake with unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. Over 20 parks surround the lake and offer camping, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, boating, and golf.
This 29,350-acre rural lake is just a few minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and is a great place to get away from city life.
Centrally located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex just minutes from DFW Airport, Grapevine Lake offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Murrell Park offers day use facilities, boat ramp access and primitive camping on scenic Grapevine Lake, in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas.
Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for migratory birds, wildlife, and plants native to the area. The 11,320-acre refuge is an overlay of the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.
Joe Pool Lake is a 7,400-acre impoundment located in the southern portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to visit Lake Texoma, the largest lake in capacity in the Tulsa District and the twelfth largest in the United States.
Buncombe Creek Campground is located on Lake Texoma in Oklahoma's Cross Timbers Region. The lake is said to be the "Playground of the Southwest," where outdoor activities like fishing, boating, hiking and hunting abound.
When complete, will impound the South Sulphur River in Delta and Hopkins Counties.
Benbrook Lake is located in the scenic open countryside of rolling hills and prairie meadows southwest of Fort Worth, Texas.
Bardwell Lake is located in the Blackland Prairie region of southwestern Ellis County. Built in 1965 for flood control by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Lake is located two miles southwest of Ennis off of State Highway 34.
Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 560 national wildlife refuges that form a network of United States lands and waters managed specifically for wildlife.
Pat Mayse Lake is located in the Red River Basin in Lamar County, Texas. The damsite is on Sanders Creek (a tributary of the Red River) approximately one mile south of the town of Chicota, four miles northwest of Powderly and twelve miles…
Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.
Lake of the Arbuckles is forned by Arbuckle Dam which is a feature of the Arbuckle Project . The lake is located at the confluence of the Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and Rock Creeks.
McGee Creek Dam and Reservoir project includes water conveyance facilities, public recreation facilities, a wildlife management area, and a natural scenic recreation area.
Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages over 18,000 acres of land and water, which is open to hunting along with an additional 8,000 acres managed by the Corps.
This 3,280-acre lake is located on Aquilla and Hackberry Creeks.
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
Pine Creek Dam is located on Little River, approximately eight miles north of Valiant in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. The lake extends into Choctaw and Pushmataha Counties.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wishes you an enjoyable stay at the project. The lake offers the visitor extensive opportunities for a memorable outdoor recreation experience.
The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.
Little River National Wildlife Refuge’s primary purpose is to preserve the bottomland hardwood forests for migratory birds and waterfowl on the Central Flyway.
Sardis Lake is located five miles north of Clayton, Oklahoma, along Oklahoma Highway 2 in beautiful southeastern Oklahoma.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown McKinney. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Moving to Texas with Amber Wilson.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by RV Geeking.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Clear Lake (Tx) (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 13 miles southeast of McKinney as the crow flies. Next are East Fork (Tx) (13 mi) and Lakeland Pavilion (13 mi).
Based on McKinney’s average highs, March–July, September–November. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.