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Whitney Lake

With temperatures dropping and snow already falling, we’ve had a number of Recreation.gov adventurers ask for suggestions for less crowded and warmer destinations to visit this time of year. One of our top picks is Whitney Lake in Texas. Located roughly 30 minutes north of Waco and an hour drive southwest of the Fort Worth area, the lake connects to the main stem of the Brazos River and offers year-round recreation including fishing, boating, sailing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, hunting, hiking, and golf. The gorgeous scenery and wealth of outdoor activities might be why over two million people visit the lake each year and the area was named as the "Getaway Capital of Texas".

You can plan your own escape to the lake by booking a trip to one of several picturesque campgrounds with Recreation.gov. A visitor favorite at Whitney Lake, Kimball Bend Park offers 34 campsites along the lake for anglers to fish for bass, crappie, and catfish; hikers can also hit the Chisholm Trail, a scenic historic trail that upwards of ten million cattle followed northbound from southern Texas to Kansas. Another nearby spot, McCown Valley offers five miles of trails to ride horses through open pastures and wooded areas near the lake. Our final recommendation is Lofers Bend West, a stunning lakeside facility with 51 campsites, a group site, a day-use picnic shelter, and prime access to boating, fishing, swimming, canoeing, and other popular water activities. Don’t just take our word for it, in her review of the campground Karen S. said it offered "wide open spots, pet friendly, beautiful views and easy access to the lake."