Things to do nearCedar Creek Reservoir

    Cedar Creek Reservoir is a sprawling East Texas lake known for its excellent bass fishing, sandy shorelines, and peaceful waterside scenery.

    Cedar Creek Reservoir was created in the 1960s when the Trinity River Authority impounded Cedar Creek to serve as a water supply for the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The resulting lake covers roughly 33,000 acres across Henderson and Kaufman counties, making it one of the larger reservoirs in Texas. Its construction transformed a stretch of East Texas woodland into a destination that now draws anglers, boaters, and families from across the region.

    The lake is best known among fishing enthusiasts for its largemouth bass population, and it has produced notable catches over the years that keep dedicated anglers returning season after season. Crappie and catfish round out the fishing options, giving visitors a variety of reasons to drop a line. Several marinas and bait shops around the shoreline cater to those heading out on the water, and boat rentals are available for visitors who arrive without their own vessel.

    Beyond fishing, Cedar Creek Reservoir offers swimming areas, picnic grounds, and open water suitable for water skiing and tubing during the warmer months. The surrounding landscape of post oak and pine gives the lake a distinctly East Texas character, setting it apart from the more exposed reservoirs further west. Sunsets over the water are particularly vivid in late summer, painting the sky in deep oranges above the treeline.

    Cedar Creek Reservoir rewards visitors who come looking for straightforward outdoor recreation in a natural setting that still feels a little off the beaten path, even with a major metropolitan area less than an hour to the west.

    Cedar Creek Reservoir, Texas, USA

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    Tips for visiting Cedar Creek Reservoir

    1

    Visit during spring or early fall when temperatures are mild and the bass fishing is at its most productive along the shallow coves.

    2

    Bring polarized sunglasses to cut the glare on the water and spot structure near the shoreline when fishing or kayaking.

    3

    Try launching from one of the public boat ramps on the western shore for quicker access to the lake's deeper channels.

    4

    Arrive early on weekends to secure a shaded picnic spot, as the more accessible shoreline areas fill up by mid-morning in summer.

    5

    Explore the quieter northern coves by kayak or canoe for a more secluded experience away from motorboat traffic.

    Top tours & experiences near Cedar Creek Reservoir

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Pontoon Boat Rental
    Boat RentalsUp to Ten Adult…

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Pontoon Boat Rental

    Rent a 150HP pontoon and tow a tube, wakeboard, or skis

    5.0 245 reviews
    $503/ boat
    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Pontoon Boat Rental
    Boat RentalsUp to Ten Adult…

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Pontoon Boat Rental

    Rent a 150HP Coach 230RL and tow a tube, wakeboard, or skis

    5.0 245 reviews
    $503/ boat
    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a 150HP Boat Rental
    Boat RentalsUp to Ten Adult…

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a 150HP Boat Rental

    Rent a 150HP boat for up to 10 adults on Cedar Creek Lake

    5.0 245 reviews
    $503/ boat
    22' Tritoon Rental on Lake Palestine
    Boat RentalsUp to 10

    22' Tritoon Rental on Lake Palestine

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake aboard a spacious tritoon for up to ten adults

    5.0 245 reviews
    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Tritoon Boat Rental
    Boat RentalsUp to Thirteen …

    Cruise Cedar Creek Lake on a Tritoon Boat Rental

    Rent a 150HP tritoon for cruising and tow sports on Cedar Creek Lake

    5.0 245 reviews
    $503/ boat

    Cedar Creek Lake Jet Ski Rental

    Rent a Yamaha Waverunner with flexible rental lengths

    5.0 245 reviews
    $335/ jet-ski

    Ride 2 Jet Skis on Cedar Creek Lake

    Rent two Yamaha Waverunners and ride Cedar Creek Lake for 2 hours to 2 days

    5.0 245 reviews