Quick Answer: Living near Lake Ray Hubbard is one of the things Garland residents love most about the area. The lake spans roughly 22,745 acres along Garland's eastern edge, giving neighbors quick access to shoreline parks, fishing piers, and boat ramps, plus waterfront dining just across the water in Rockwall.
Ask longtime Garland neighbors what they love about the area and the answer often points east, toward the water. Living near Lake Ray Hubbard puts one of the largest lakes in North Texas within easy reach, and that shapes how weekends look for a lot of families here. Crestridge is proud to call Garland home, serving residents who want lake days, good schools, and a quick line into Dallas all from one place.
What Makes Lake Ray Hubbard Special for Garland Residents?
Lake Ray Hubbard is a 22,745-acre reservoir on the East Fork of the Trinity River, sitting along Garland's eastern and southeastern edge. Owned by the City of Dallas and managed as a water supply, it doubles as the metro's biggest playground for boating, fishing, and shoreline walks, all a short drive from central Garland neighborhoods.
The reservoir was created when the Rockwall-Forney Dam closed in the late 1960s, backing the river up into the wide, shallow basin locals enjoy today. Ask about a lake in Garland, TX, and this is the one people mean. It runs about 40 feet deep at its deepest, calm enough for casual paddling yet big enough for sailboats and the weekend regattas that dot the water each summer.
Lake Ray Hubbard Parks and Outdoor Life in Garland
Most of the fun happens at the water's edge. Garland maintains several Lake Ray Hubbard parks along its shoreline, and each has its own personality, from quiet fishing piers to picnic lawns with volleyball courts. Pack a rod, a kayak, or just a blanket, and you can be at the shore in minutes.
John Paul Jones Park sits on the western shore just north of I-30, with a long walking trail and a fishing pier tucked across the highway from Bass Pro Shops. Windsurf Bay Park covers 42 acres about a mile south of the interstate and leans family-friendly, with a pavilion, a playground, and sand volleyball. For a wilder feel, the Lake Ray Hubbard Greenbelt protects roughly 24 acres of wooded lakefront near Captain's Cove Marina.
| Spot | Best For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| John Paul Jones Park | Walking and fishing | Shoreline trail and fishing pier, across from Bass Pro Shops |
| Windsurf Bay Park | Family picnics | 42 acres with a playground and sand volleyball; hours are seasonal |
| Lake Ray Hubbard Greenbelt | Quiet nature walks | About 24 wooded acres near Captain's Cove Marina |
| Bass Pro Shops | Gear and a boat launch | A 120,000 sq ft store on the shore with boat slips and an aquarium |
Getting out on the water
Boaters have it easy here. More than a dozen public ramps ring the lake across Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall, and Heath, and full-service marinas like Captain's Cove and Chandler's Landing handle slips, fuel, and repairs. Anglers chase hybrid striped bass, largemouth, and crappie, along with blue catfish that have become one of the lake's most abundant catches. Texas Parks and Wildlife rules apply, so keep life jackets and registration current before you launch.
What's Across the Lake in Rockwall, Texas?
Look across the water from Garland and you'll see Rockwall, Texas, home to the lake's best-known waterfront district. The Harbor Rockwall lines Summer Lee Drive on the southern shore with open-air shops, patio restaurants, a promenade, and a signature fountain beside a small lighthouse. From the Garland side, it's a short drive around the lake.
Evenings are the real draw. Many restaurants face the water with patios built for sunset, and the mix runs from Tex-Mex and barbecue to seafood, coffee, and dessert. In summer, the city hosts its Concert by the Lake series on Thursday evenings at the amphitheater, and sightseeing cruises board near the lighthouse for a spin on the water. Lineups and event schedules shift by season, so check before you plan a night out.
Finding Apartments Near Lake Ray Hubbard
Plenty of renters want the lake lifestyle close by, and there's more than one way to get it. Apartments near Lake Ray Hubbard fall roughly into two camps: communities right on the shoreline, and well-connected Garland neighborhoods a short drive inland. Which one fits depends on whether you value waking up to water views or staying minutes from transit and shopping.
Lakeside neighborhoods like Lake Village West
The lake's western shore in Garland holds several established residential pockets, including communities such as Lake Village West that sit within walking distance of the water. Lake Village West apartments and their neighbors trade a slightly longer commute for morning shoreline walks and quick trips to Windsurf Bay Park. If a waterfront address tops your list, this stretch of the 75043 area is worth a look.
Garland apartments with the lake a short drive away
You don't have to live on the shoreline to enjoy the lake, though. Many Garland apartments sit closer to the city's job centers and rail line while keeping the lake an easy weekend trip. Crestridge apartments in west-central Garland is one example. The DART Blue Line is under a mile away, Firewheel Town Center is minutes down the road, and the lake's western parks are roughly a 20-minute drive by way of the George Bush Turnpike. You can compare one, two, and three-bedroom floor plans or take a virtual tour to see the renovated interiors for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is Lake Ray Hubbard located?
Lake Ray Hubbard sits just east of Dallas, wrapping around the eastern and southeastern edges of Garland and reaching into Rowlett, Rockwall, and Heath. The reservoir crosses four counties: Dallas, Rockwall, Collin, and Kaufman. Interstate 30 runs right over it on a causeway near the southern end.
2. What is there to do at Lake Ray Hubbard?
The lake is built for the outdoors. Popular options include:
- Boating, sailing, and jet skiing from public ramps and marinas
- Fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish off a pier or a boat
- Kayaking and paddling in the calmer coves
- Picnics, trails, and playgrounds at the shoreline parks
- Waterfront dining and summer concerts at The Harbor in Rockwall
3. Can you fish in Lake Ray Hubbard?
Yes, and it's one of the lake's biggest draws. Anglers regularly land hybrid and white striped bass, largemouth bass, white crappie, and channel and blue catfish. Hybrid stripers and blue cats have become the most abundant sport fish in recent years. A valid Texas fishing license and the standard state regulations apply.
4. How far is Lake Ray Hubbard from downtown Dallas?
Not far at all. The lake sits roughly 15 to 20 miles east of downtown Dallas, an easy trip on Interstate 30 or the President George Bush Turnpike. From most Garland neighborhoods you can reach a shoreline park in well under half an hour, which is part of why locals treat it as a backyard escape.
5. Are there apartments near Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland?
Yes. Some communities sit right on the western shoreline, while others, like Crestridge in west-central Garland, place you near DART and Firewheel with the lake a short drive away. The right pick depends on whether you want water views out the window or quick access to transit and shopping.
The Bottom Line on Lakeside Living in Garland
Living near Lake Ray Hubbard gives Garland residents something the rest of the metro envies: a huge, open lake with parks, fishing, and waterfront dining a few minutes from home. You get the quiet of the shoreline when you want it and the pull of Dallas when you don't. Crestridge keeps you close to all of it, with easy access to the lake, the DART Blue Line, and Firewheel from one Garland address. When you're ready, you can start your application online and make the move.
