Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois Overview
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois campground has 162 campsites single-family campsites and is located along the shoreline of the lake. There are 100+ with water & electric hookups. The Lone Star Lodge, equestrian campsites and group camping area also available.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. There s also a marina, deli, store, picnic area, playground, group pavilion, boat ramp and amphitheater.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle Du Bois Area Recreation
The park offers a variety of outdoor recreation including camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, backpacking, boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Wildlife viewing can also be nice here.
Johnson Branch is another campground at Ray Roberts State Park. You may also be interested in Lake Tawakoni State Park.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park / Johnson Branch Unit
|Texas Parks will surprise you!
Things they don’t tell you if you call. Besides the camping fee they have a daily use fee currently $7.00 per person. Also if you would like to have someone visit you they must pay the $7.00 per person daily use fee. We invited our kids for a cookout on a week night and they informed us that they would have to pay the fee. Needless to say we decided to have our cookout elsewhere. You also are arm twisted into buying an annual membership. Plus their odd rules concerning alcohol. Nice place to camp if you can put up with all the rules and fees. For me the KOA offers more amenities just not the park location.
|Love this park
Stay here regularly. Nice hiking and bike trails. Clean.
|Great showers
Stayed two nights – my Tmobile could not connect so left but Verizon on wide phone good. Great showers quiet and peaceful Cannondale bike loan program is cool!
Roomy, private sites. Restrooms/showers were very clean. A busy park on the weekends. The walking,biking trails are great. We will be returning.
What To Fish For
Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, blue catfish, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, longear sunfish, warmouth, white bass, striped bass, hybrid striped bass, longnose gar and spotted gar at Ray Roberts Lake in Central Texas.
Primary fish species residing in Lake Ray Roberts
Ray Roberts Lake Amenities
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
1190 Boat Launch Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off Road 1190, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.
Buck Creek Boat Launch Located in the northeast corner of the lake, east side, at the south end of the S Ray Roberts Parkway Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Hawthorn Circle Camping Loop Boat Ramp Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Hawthorn Circle, this is a two-lane, gravel ramp with paved parking.
Isle Du Bois State Park Boat Launch Located in the southeast corner of the lake, off Isle Du Bois State Park Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Pecan Creek Boat Ramp Located in the northwest corner of the lake, east side, at the east end of the E Lone Oak Road Bridge, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Johnson Branch Unit Located mid lake, on the north side of the lake, off Johnson State Park Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.
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Inside Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Ray Roberts Lake is one of the premier fishing lakes in northeast Texas, and state agencies manage the entire area around this lake. This state park operates two marinas on the lake where you can keep your boat, get repair work done, or get gas or supplies for your next trip. This park connects to the Greenbelt Corridor, so there is plenty of riding, hiking, and biking options. Consider the Lone Star Lodge on this state park’s property if you are looking for a place to hold a meeting or family reunion. The Interpretative Center at the Isle du Bois Unit is a great place to learn about this parks wildlife.
Amenities And Fun Things To Do:
Johnson Branch Unit has 5 areas for camping – two of which have 50 primative walk-in campsites, one has water and electric for tent camping only, and the two remaining areas with around 100 sites have water and electric for tent, trailer, or RV camping.
There are a number of great sites on the water and the majority of the sites are shaded, have somewhat level pads, a picnic table, and fire pit.
In addition, to some good campsites, Johnson Branch Unit has a number of other amenities, some of which include:
- showers and restrooms
- roped off beach swimming area
- boat ramps and ample trailer parking
- fish cleaning facility
- amphitheater and kids fishing pond
One of the reasons we love Johnson Branch Unit is because is has some of the best and most challenging bike trails in Texas. There are over 10 miles of mountain bike and hiking trails that wind through the trees, up and down the hills, and along the lake. Sections of the trail are technically very challenging for mountain bikers.
There is also a 2.6 mile paved hiking and biking trail for beginners, kids, or just an easy ride through the country side.
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Lake Ray Roberts State Park
Escape the bustle of the city and get back to nature just an hour north of the DFW Metroplex. Come play at Ray Roberts Lake State Park for the day or the weekend!
The lake is surrounded by the state park, wildlife management areas, wetlands and waterfowl sanctuaries. TPWD operates Ray Roberts Lake State Park under lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Dallas and Denton.
You can access the lake from all park units except the Greenbelt.
Developed units:
- Isle du Bois Unit is on the south side of the lake and opened in 1993.
- Johnson Branch Unit is on the north side of the lake and opened in 1996.
- Ray Roberts Greenbelt is a 20-mile multiuse trail system that opened in 1999. It follows the heavily wooded banks of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
Entering Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Passes must be reserved ahead of time by visiting the park website or calling customer service.
Per person: $7
Children 12 and under are free
Since this reservoir was created to provide water to Dallas and Denton, many people have enjoyed playing on and near it. Others have enjoyed visiting the towns near the park. If you are one of them, share your memories on your social media account and tag RVshare in them. The site would also love it if you sent your photos and stories to
RVshare
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Ray Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch Overview
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch campground has 166 campsites single-family campsites and is located next to a pretty cove of the lake. There are 104 with water & electric hookups. The Lone Star Lodge and group camping area also available.
Campground amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, hot showers and a dump station. There s also a marina, deli, store, picnic area, playground, group pavilion, boat ramp and amphitheater.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Johnson Branch Area Recreation
The park offers a variety of outdoor recreation including camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, backpacking, boating, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and fishing. Wildlife viewing can also be nice here.
A Typical Texas Outsider Day:
We enjoy staying in Johnson Branch for the camping experience, riding the variety of mountain bike trails, and boating on the lake.
We are partners with Free Spirit Adventures and you should consider them for a fun adventure to Ray Roberts Lake SP Johnson Branch. As a full service camping outfitter, they offer customizable camping adventures and they take the chore out of camping by:
- setting up camp
- preparing all of the meals
- providing 5 star outdoor comfort with top of the line equipment
- and guiding you through amazing destinations with a variety of things to do
And Free Spirit Adventures offers Texas Outside Visitors a 20% discount on an adventure with them.
Here is an example of a typical day with on a trip to Ray Roberts State Park’s Johnson Branch Unit with Free Spirit Adventures.
The first morning we are up bright and early to prepare a tasty Over the Campfire breakfast for our sleeping adventurers.
As soon as the fire begins to crackle, out comes the bacon! The oink oink is cooked over the open fire until crisp. A couple 14 Dutch Ovens are lined with sliced bread, forming what will be a crust for our Sunrise Breakfast Pie. Then eggs are beaten, seasoned, cheese is added, then poured over the bread. Last but not least the oink oink joins the mixer, the lids are shut, and the lump coal is added. Once done we have a high protein, tasty breakfast, served to you like a slice of pizza, on an enamel plate, with fresh coffee, and orange juice.
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Alerts And Important Information
Prescribed burns are planned during this timeframe , depending on weather and other factors. Prescribed fire operations and associated smoke may impact your visit. Some camping areas, lodging facilities, trails, and day-use areas may be closed for public safety. Contact the park to learn how this may affect your stay.
DAY USE FEE: OFFICE AND GATE INFORMATION: PARK PHONE NUMBER:
What Is Your Fondest Memory Of The Trip
I really enjoyed getting the hands-on experience. Part of my responsibility as the office manager was co-creating a user guide for our employees so they understand the ins and outs of the RV. Typing this up was certainly different from just going out and learning what to do with what is right in front of you. I also enjoyed being able to explore the surrounding area! I saw several animals including this gorgeous deer that decided to come my way!
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Camping At Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Camping with an RV here could not be easier thanks to two main campgrounds that can be found within Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Which campground you choose completely depends on what you are hoping to get out of your stay. Choose the Isle Du Bois campground for closer proximity to the larger cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, but do expect a slightly more crowded campsite thanks to the large fishing pier here. Alternatively, motorhome camping at The Johnson Branch campground, although slightly smaller, can provide a more tranquil experience with unmissable picturesque sunrises and sunsets over the lake.
In terms of amenities, both campgrounds offer similar facilities. The park offers a choice of over one hundred sites organized under a canopy of trees. As well as modern washroom facilities, with hot showers and flushing toilets, each campsite comes complete with a picnic table and fire pit. The majority of the campsites also come equipped with electric and water hook-ups, ideal for those who prefer their creature comforts! For any larger parties, make sure to call ahead as the campsite can organize a group section with a private pavilion that can accommodate up to fifty people.
How To Get Toray Roberts Lake State Park
To reach the Johnson Unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park from Dallas, take I-35 E and I-35 N following signs that say you are going to Denton, Texas. Get off when you reach Exit 483. Turn right on East Lone Oak Road and turn right again on Parkway 4153. Continue, and the parks entrance will be on your right.
To reach the Isle du Bois Unit from Dallas, take I-35 E to I-35 N and get off at Exit 470. Get on the 380 Truck Loop and take the Farm to Market 2164 exit. Turn left on Farm to Market 2164 and continue to Farm to Market 2153, where you need to turn right. Take 2153 to Running Bear Road and turn left. Continue until you reach Farm to Market 455 E and turn right. Turn left on Parkway 4137 to reach the park.
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Why Do You Love Rving
I feel less limited in a lot of ways. If I wanted to go somewhere by myself or just with the gals, we have a door that we can lock so we can be safe in our little Airstream. If weather becomes an issue, we can still cook or find an activity inside, the trip isnt ruined.
My favorite thing is getting to know the people camping around me. You dont have to have anything else in common to talk about but RV trips and how they love the lifestyle. That alone makes for some very interesting conversation.