SUMMER FUN OPEN FOR ALL AT BRAZOS RIVER AUTHORITY RESERVOIRS

Brazos River Authority reservoirs offer plenty of refreshing fun in the summertime, and are open for business – or pleasure. While many Army Corps of Engineers parks are expected to remain closed for weeks or months, parks at the BRA’s Lakes Possum Kingdom, Granbury and Limestone provide many opportunities for adventure and relaxation.

With reservoirs completely full this year, a variety of fun summer opportunities await from boating and fishing to hiking and just enjoying the beauty of nature available in the Brazos River basin.

POSSUM KINGDOM LAKE

Located primarily in Palo Pinto County west of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, Possum Kingdom Lake offers almost 220 miles of recreational shoreline, featuring beautiful scenery ranging from limestone cliffs to the impressive Hell’s Gate Formation.

The reservoir parks feature 10 Brazos River Authority public use areas scattered across the central peninsula and the west side. Nearly all are free year-round, and the two that charge during the summer months call for a modest fee. The parks feature ample camping sites and sheltered picnic tables from the wooded areas right up to the lake front and are available on a first come, first served basis. Reservations are not necessary.

From mid-May to early September, the BRA charges a small fee for camping and day use at two of our more popular PK public areas: Sandy Beach and North D&D. Children 12 and younger are always free.

Children can enjoy the Brazos River Authority’s playgrounds at North D & D campground and Sandy Beach Park. Designed with age-appropriate areas for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds, they meet national playground guidelines and feature the latest in child-safe playground equipment with swings, slides, spinners, twisters, climbing areas and learning panels. These fun zones are Americans with Disabilities Act accessible. Playground equipment sits atop a 12-inch thick layer of wood chip-style materials to cushion the ground throughout the play area. The facilities also offer parent-friendly sitting areas with benches. Nearby at both parks are ADA accessible restrooms with showers. Many of the public areas also feature marked swimming areas, roped off well away from traffic on the lake.

If you enjoy getting on the water, Possum Kingdom Lake offers many opportunities. The BRA provides several boat ramps and courtesy docks in and around the public use areas. Most of these facilities are free to use, year round. Whether you like to water ski or to tool around the lake on a personal watercraft, there is plenty of room to do it on PK’s 17,700 acres. And with a daily fee of $5 per boat, there’s plenty of enjoyment for a nominal price.

Texas anglers know the lake is also a good place to cast their lines. Among the varieties of fish you might hook are largemouth, striped and white bass; white crappie; and channel and blue catfish. Many people also like to fish in the Brazos River just below Possum Kingdom’s Morris Sheppard Dam.

An extensive network of hike and bike trails also offers exercise and enjoyment. These crisscross Possum Kingdom Lake’s central peninsula, connecting the lake’s public areas with 16 miles of paths. The wide trails are suitable for hikers with a wide range of abilities, averaging a 5 to 20 degree slope. You can enjoy the sights and sounds of Texas flora and fauna along the winding trails or at one of 19 lookouts. One segment of the trail winds to the top of Johnson Peak, where there is a scenic rest area is equipped with benches.

Whether you want to spend a few days camping or just want to get away for the day, the opportunities for fun at the cool waters of Possum Kingdom Lake are practically endless. For information on recreational activities at PK, call 940-779-2321.

LAKE GRANBURY

Lake Granbury also offers an exciting number of recreational activities. Conveniently located in Hood County just southwest of Fort Worth, the reservoir has more than 100 miles of shoreline and four parks with free overnight campsites. Your family can spend up to 10 days camping at the scenic parks that offer sheltered picnic tables and grills. Public restrooms with running water can be found at every park.

If boating is your family’s passion, you have no shortage of opportunities to enjoy a day on the lake. There are free public boat ramps at all four parks on Lake Granbury. Recent park upgrades include widened boat ramps and new courtesy docks as well as fishing piers for those who choose to catch their dinner. For more information on Lake Granbury, call 817-573-3212.

LAKE LIMESTONE

Located 40 miles east of Waco, in Limestone, Leon and Robertson counties, Lake Limestone offers four park areas; two sponsored by the BRA and two provided by Limestone County. The first, located in Robertson County near the Sterling C. Robertson Dam, offers day use amenities including a group pavilion, picnic tables and grills perfect for your family cookouts. Public restrooms are also on hand at the park. There is no drinking water available at this site. The second BRA park at Lake Limestone is located northeast of the dam. This location is equipped with public restrooms, pavilions and grills. The park also offers a boat ramp, fishing piers and overnight campsites.

The Limestone County sponsored parks are located on each side of the FM 3371 bridge over the reservoir. Each park offers primitive camping with a 14 day limit. Fishing, boat launch and ramps as well as picnic tables are available. Park 3 offers restroom facilities; however, there is no drinking water available at either county park location.

Whether you’re planning for a day or a week, Lake Limestone can accommodate you and your family for fun close to home. Just pack your tent, essentials, and food and water, and you’re set to go.

Reservations are not required. Campsites are offered on a first-come, first-served basis. For additional information, please visit the BRA website at www.brazos.org or call 903-529-2141.