Quick Answer: The best things to do at Lake Ray Hubbard, TX include boating and sunset cruises, fishing from the bank or a boat, waterfront dining at The Harbor Rockwall, and easy afternoons at shoreline parks like Windsurf Bay Park. The 22,745-acre lake sits a short drive east of Garland.
Lake Ray Hubbard sits just east of Garland, and it can turn a slow Saturday into a real outing. This guide to the best things to do at Lake Ray Hubbard, TX covers boating, fishing, waterfront dining, and the shoreline parks locals keep coming back to. Crestridge serves renters in west Garland, only a short drive from the water, so a full lake day is closer than most people expect.
What to Look For on a Lake Ray Hubbard Day Trip
Plan around the water and the weather. The lake rewards early arrivals with open ramps, calm coves, and cooler air, which matters a lot during a North Texas summer. At roughly 22,745 acres, it plays a few roles at once, part fishing hole and part sailing venue, with room left over for a lazy weekend picnic. Boaters, anglers, and families share the same shoreline, so pick your park by the activity you want most. Timing matters, too. Spring brings wildflowers and thinner crowds, summer is peak boating and picnic weather, and the cooler months stay quiet enough for shoreline walks, birdwatching, photography, and easy lakeside drives. Ask ten regulars for the best things to do at Lake Ray Hubbard and you'll hear ten different answers, which is half the fun. Locals often shorten the name to Lake Hubbard, and the water touches four counties east of Dallas.
What Are the Best Things to Do at Lake Ray Hubbard on the Water?
Get on the lake. The best things to do at Lake Ray Hubbard start with the water, whether you own a boat, rent one for the day, or book a guided cruise. As the largest lake in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, it draws sailors, wakeboarders, paddlers, and anglers from spring through fall.
Lake Ray Hubbard Boat Rides, Rentals, and Boating
No boat? No problem. Lake Ray Hubbard boat rides run out of The Harbor in Rockwall, where a local operator offers brunch, dinner, and sunset cruises that board near the lighthouse. Several marinas rent pontoons and other craft by the day if you'd rather captain your own trip. Plenty of visitors spend an entire afternoon boating Lake Ray Hubbard, then raft up in a quiet cove to watch the sky change color. The lake is also known for sailing, and windsurfers ride the reliable breezes off Windsurf Bay Park. Kayaks and paddleboards are the quiet way to poke around hidden coves at sunrise, and the sailing regattas here are a local tradition worth catching from shore.
Public Lake Ray Hubbard Boat Ramps
Towing your own boat is simple once you know where to launch. As of the 2026 season, Texas Parks and Wildlife lists several free public Lake Ray Hubbard boat ramps around the lake, plus more launch points at private marinas that charge a fee. Paddlers get their own spot, too: Paddle Point Park in Rowlett is a non-motorized put-in for the lake's marked paddling trail. Ramp status and water levels shift through the year, so it pays to confirm your launch is open before you load the truck. Here's a quick look at the free public options:
| Public Ramp | City | Lanes & Parking | Launch Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Highway 66 Ramp | Rockwall | Three ramps, up to 40 vehicles | No fee |
| Terry Park | Heath | Two lanes, two docks, 30 spaces | No fee |
| Sapphire Bay | Rowlett | Two lanes with docks, about 50 spaces | No fee |
| Paul Jones Park | Garland | Four lanes, up to 50 vehicles | No fee |
Where Are the Best Lake Hubbard Restaurants and Rockwall Attractions?
Cross the causeway for the food. The Rockwall Lake Ray Hubbard waterfront is the social center of the area, and The Harbor Rockwall gathers the best Lake Hubbard restaurants, boutique shops, and a movie theater into one walkable strip along Summer Lee Drive. Patios face the water, so a long lunch or a late dinner comes with a lake view. Summer Thursdays often bring free concerts by the lake, and a Cinemark theater sits right in the middle of it all. Beyond The Harbor, Bass Pro Shops anchors the southwest shore near Interstate 30 and makes an easy rainy-day stop with its own restaurant. Back at the waterfront, walk the boardwalk, find the fountain and the small lighthouse, and an evening fills itself without moving the car.
Lake Ray Hubbard Beach Areas and Shoreline Parks
Not everyone wants to get on a boat, and that's fine. The Garland side has grassy parks with beach and shoreline access, including Windsurf Bay Park and the Lake Ray Hubbard Greenbelt, both good for picnics, windsurfing, and long walks along the water. A Lake Ray Hubbard beach day is mostly about the view, the breeze, and a shady spot for a blanket. These lawns sit on the Garland side of the water, so they rank among the closest lake spots to home. Swimming rules vary by park and some spots restrict it, so read the posted signs before anyone gets in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Lake Hubbard Texas located?
Lake Hubbard Texas, better known as Lake Ray Hubbard, lies just east of Dallas and borders Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall, and Heath. The lake spreads across Collin, Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties along the East Fork of the Trinity River. From most of Garland, it's only a short drive to a ramp, a park, or the waterfront.
2. What can you do on the Lake Ray Hubbard Rockwall TX side?
The Lake Ray Hubbard Rockwall TX shore is where the dining and shopping cluster. The Harbor Rockwall has waterfront restaurants, boutiques, a Cinemark theater, and summer concerts right on the lake. A few minutes inland, Historic Downtown Rockwall adds a walkable square full of local shops, cafes, and seasonal markets.
3. What are the best Lake Ray Hubbard restaurants?
Most of the lakefront names sit inside The Harbor Rockwall. A few favorites:
- Gloria's Latin Cuisine for Tex-Mex and Latin plates
- Rodeo Goat for creative burgers on a lakeside patio
- Sideways BBQ for Texas smoked meats and live music
- Dodie's Cajun Diner for crawfish and seafood by the water
Restaurant lineups change, so confirm hours before you drive out.
4. Is fishing good at Lake Ray Hubbard?
Yes. The lake holds largemouth and hybrid striped bass, white bass, crappie, and blue and channel catfish, and hybrid stripers and blue cats have become the most abundant sport fish. Anglers tend to do well around the standing timber north of Interstate 30 and near the warm-water discharge on the west side. Bank fishing is good at day-use parks like Robertson Park. Most anglers 17 and older need a Texas fishing license, and current limits are set by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
5. Do the Lake Ray Hubbard boat ramps charge a fee?
Some do and some don't. Several city-run Lake Ray Hubbard boat ramps are free, including Paul Jones Park in Garland, the State Highway 66 ramp in Rockwall, and Terry Park in Heath. Private marina ramps usually charge a launch fee. Check current fees, parking, and closures on the Texas Parks and Wildlife access page before you go.
Your Lake Ray Hubbard Weekend Starts at Crestridge
From boat rides and fishing to a burger with a lake view, the best things to do at Lake Ray Hubbard, TX sit an easy drive from home. Crestridge puts you in west Garland with quick access to the lake, Firewheel Town Center, and the wider metro. Browse our floor plans, take a photo tour, and apply online when you're ready to call Garland home.
