They say “life is better at the lake” and we think they might be right. No shoes are required, everyone waves at each other, and you can unplug — literally.
Just a few miles outside of Frisco, Lake Lewisville is one of the largest recreational lakes in North Texas spanning 29,000 acres with 233 miles of shoreline.
No matter your age or interest, you can have fun in or by the water. For the adventurous types, there’s tubing, skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, swimming, fishing, and more. And for the rest of us, simply laying out with a good book on the beach will make for a perfect day.
We’ve gathered for you some deets about life at Lake Lewisville — where to go, what to do, and how to have a great time. Please add your own tips and guidance in the comments section!
Lake Hair, See if I Care
If you really want to soak up lake life, Party Cove is the place to be on Lake Lewisville. Party Cove is by Westlake Park near the center of the lake.
This cove is where people come to spend their weekend tied up to other boats, listening to party music, and generally enjoying the lake life vibe. You can rent a boat or party barge and make an event of it. Expect alcohol, swimming, and people hosting a party on the lake.
Have a good time, but please be safe and wear a life vest when you’re on the water. Clearly, a lake and alcohol can be a dangerous combination.
Check out DFW Surf Adventures for kayaking, bike rentals, stand up paddle boarding, wake surf lessons, and boat charters. If you want to rent a party boat, try Sam’s Dock at Hidden Cove Marina.
And speaking of lake hair, you might want to pick up this Texas Silhouette Straw Lifeguard hat from Tumbleweed TexStyles. This Frisco-owned biz has the best Texas gear — koozies, t-shirts, tanks, growlers, and more.
Go Jump In the Lake
Want to go swimming? There are several designated swimming areas and beaches on Lake Lewisville, the most popular of which is Little Elm Park Beach. The sand is great and the beach is set back in a little cove.
Little Elm Beach boasts a snack bar and grill, as well and ample courts for sand volleyball. Before you head home, there’s a station to hose off — both yourself and all of your sand-covered belongings.
Currently, Little Elm Beach is free on weekdays, but there’s a parking fee on the weekend. (Hint: it’s less busy on weekday mornings anyway, so this is your best bet.)
The beach at Stewart Creek Park is a nice beach as well, located on the southeast end of Lake Lewisville. This beach is roped off and has picnic tables nearby.
The beach, park, and marina at Hidden Cove Park are 720 acres of recreation along the shores of Lake Lewisville. The sand is great and the swimming area is roped off. Enjoy picnic tables, a volleyball court, and campsites.
The park also offers RV sites, picnic areas, screened shelters, pavilions, and a small conference center. This area includes the Hidden Cove Marina, a boat ramp, and boat rentals at Sam’s Dock.
Hydrous Wake Park is another source of lake fun for all ages. Located off Eldorado Pkwy in Little Elm, you can grab a cable, a wakeboard, and a helmet, and discover your inner surfer. Also on-site, try Aqua Park — a giant bounce house on the water, big enough to entertain for hours and fun for all ages. Lawn chairs surround the area and a restaurant patio overlooks the park.
Keep it Reel
Bring your rod and reel and get ready to fish! If needed, you can hire a guide who will take you out, show you what do do, and even provide appropriate gear.
We hear from local residents that bank fishing a big lake like this one can be very hit and miss. However, they tell us that in March, the catfish do come up to the shoreline to spawn just a few feet from the bank, and generally, you can catch perch and even some bass.
Little coves, like the ones in Hidden Cove Marina, holds a lot of catfish this time of year. Use bacon, rib meat, hot dogs, worms, minnows, shiners, or catfish bait – just about anything that is fatty or fishy.
Surf Shacks
Find yourself a little slice of lake life at one of the many fun food and beverage options near Lake Lewisville. Here’s a few standouts:
Hula Hut: Aloha Y’all, there’s nothing quite like Hula Hut in the Frisco area. Originally out of Austin, this Little Elm location offers a fantastic patio overlooking the water, lights, and TONS of lake life atmosphere. Serving up traditional tex-mex fare with a Polynesian twist, enjoy bamboo walls, plenty of shade, and thousands of colorful lights.
Sneaky Pete’s: They’ve been serving up burgers and beer to fishing boaters and Party Cove-ers alike, since 1989. A sound favorite with the young and the ageless, Sneaky Pete’s is famed for their four boisterous bars, sand volleyball courts, giant pool deck, and carefree attitude. Not to mention the lake out back… Grab food inside, dockside or to-go.
Rockin’ S Bar and Grill: How about a rock and roll-themed dining and live music concept with spectacular views of Lake Lewisville? The menu includes great food, refreshing cocktails, and a vast selection of wine and beer.
Fair Winds Bar and Grill: Whether you’re in the area for a beautiful day on the lake with your family or just enjoying a few drinks with some friends, consider this vibrant and scenic waterfront sports bar and grill tucked away in The Colony’s Pier 121 Marina on Lake Lewisville.
Margarita Hut 2 Go: If you’re ready to unwind with a frozen cocktail after a day at the lake, this tropical-themed bar and patio is your best bet for great drinks in a fun, relaxing setting. You can also take any of their flavors TO–GO in 16oz, 32oz, 64oz or 1 Gallon jugs!
Brunch and Dinner cruises are also available, departing from Pier 121 on Lake Lewisville.
Rock the Boat
If you’re going to BYOB (Bring Your Own Boat, that is), there are a number of boat ramps at Lake Lewisville. Ramp fees are generally $10, unless you’re a resident of The Colony or Little Elm — in which case, using their respective ramps will be a smidge cheaper.
You don’t have to buy a boat to enjoy lake life on the regular. Nautical Boat Club® in Little Elm offers an impressive fleet of 24 fully outfitted boats from industry-leading brands. Membership gives you and your family all of the fun and lifelong memories of playing out on the water, for far less money, and none of the stress or hassle of boat ownership.
Looking to rent a boat for the day? Sam’s Dock at Hidden Cove Marina offers ski boat rentals, wave runners, pontoon boats, and the two-story Silver Bullet, among other cool party boats. Also, try Lake Lewisville Boat Rentals for another wide selection of top-quality boats, tubes, skis, and more.
Whatever vessel you choose, make sure everyone wears a life vest. This lake is known for a lot of undertows.
Life is Better at the Lake
Maybe you live a few minutes down the road, maybe you don’t. Either way, you might want to make a vacation out of it. There are a number of campsites at Lake Lewisville, some with RV access.
Hidden Cove Park offers cabins located right on Lake Lewisville. They’re small and on the simple side, but the cabins can hold up to six people and include a kitchenette.
Prefer to stay in a hotel? There aren’t any lakefront hotels at Lake Lewisville, but you can find a lakefront retreat via AirBnB or VRBO, or find a hotel within 5 miles or so.
Check out our Ultimate Guide to Hotels in Frisco — you can spend the day at the lake and then continue your vacation by taking advantage of all that our awesome town has to offer. We highly recommend the new Hyatt Regency Frisco — use code FRIS99 for a $99 rate! Or, try the Omni Frisco at The Star, for a $99 “neighbor” rate as well (call them for details!).
What advice can you offer about a day at Lake Lewisville? Please leave us a comment with things to do, places to go, and any guidance you’d like to add!