Flat Water Paddling in Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX

Coming from the concrete jungle that is Dallas, the scenery from your paddle board on the lake is a welcome relief from the greys and blacks of the city.

The Trinity River cuts through the west side of downtown Dallas, Texas and meanders through the Great Trinity River Forest—an area of relatively untouched old wood forest growth. A plethora of boat ramps and parks dot the banks. These paddling trails are perfect for city dwellers looking for a day trip.

The views that the river provides coming out of the Lake Worth dam are unlike any other. The towering sky scrapers of downtown Fort Worth peak above the steep banks over the river, and as you paddle closer to the city they appear to come out of nowhere.

In the far northern reaches of the DFW metroplex there is a park in the Ray Roberts Lake State Park complex called the Greenbelt Corridor. This corridor runs from the southern end of Ray Roberts Lake, all the way to the headwaters of Lake Lewisville.

The Brazos River south of Possum Kingdom Lake has beautiful bluffs and a more narrow channel. Paddling the Brazos River makes a great weekend adventure for anyone looking to get away from the city and camp on a sand bar. Striped bass, painted buntings, mule deer, and the desert cottontail all make their home along the Brazos River which runs 840 miles diagonal across much of the state of Texas.

For over 100 years, the people of Fort Worth, Texas have been drawn to the cool waters of Lake Worth. Located just north of the bustling downtown district, Lake Worth provides both urban and suburban people in the area many types of outdoor recreation opportunities.

As the mighty Red River cuts its way through red dirt and forms the Oklahoma / Texas border, it widens into one of the largest reservoirs in the United States.

If you’re looking for a weekend trip to paddle some beautiful water, you’ll find it’s worth your time to head a couple of hours north on I-35 up to Lake Murray. Situated within the largest state park in Oklahoma - Lake Murray State Park - the lake is argued to be one of the most beautiful in the state.

In recent years, however, the City of Dallas and its dedicated citizens have worked hard to clean the river up, improving things greatly, and making this a regular weekend spot for kayakers and canoers.