The Outdoors in Celina, Texas
Celina is one of the fastest-growing towns in the country, sitting on the northern edge of Collin County where the suburbs give way to open prairie. Its outdoor life centers on a big multi-use park in town, with one of North Texas's largest lakes a short drive northwest.
Here's where to get outside in and around Celina.
Old Celina Park
Old Celina Park is the center of the town's recreation — 67 acres with sports fields, more than three miles of trails, fishing ponds, and accessible facilities. The trails wind past woodlands, ponds, and open fields, with benches and clear signage, and there's a Storybook Trail run by the library for younger kids.
Between the ballfields, the catch-and-release lakes, and the walking loops, it covers a lot of ground, and it's the everyday outdoor hub for a town growing this fast.
Ray Roberts Lake
For bigger water, Ray Roberts Lake spreads across roughly 29,000 acres a short drive northwest of Celina, with full-service marinas and a state park. It's one of the larger recreation lakes in North Texas, good for boating, fishing, and swimming.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park connects to the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor, a multi-use trail along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River that runs toward Lewisville Lake — miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding within reach of town.
City Parks and Trails
Beyond Old Celina Park, the city keeps a growing set of parks and trails as it builds out, giving new neighborhoods green space and connections for walking and biking.
Between the main park, the expanding trail network, and Ray Roberts Lake nearby, Celina has solid outdoor range for a town still filling in its map.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Celina.
- Old Celina Park
- Bobcat Stadium
- Founders Station Park
- Constellation Park
- Chicken Coop Park
- The Greenway
- Hudson Park
- Sage Park
- Greenway Park
- Almanac Park
- Mill Park
- Cypress Creek Greenbelt
- The Barn Yard
- Frontier Park
- Towne Lake Park
- Raymond Community Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Celina
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Celina, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Ray Roberts Lake · ~15 mi
- Lewisville Lake · ~17 mi
- Lavon Lake · ~23 mi
- Grapevine Lake · ~30 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Celina
Public lands within reach of Celina — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Ray Roberts Lake - Buck Creek Unit State Park · Grayson County ~11 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~12 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~13 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~13 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~14 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~14 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~17 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pond Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~18 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~18 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pecan Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~19 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Celina. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Celina
Old Celina Park is Celina's main park — 67 acres with sports fields, more than three miles of trails through woodlands and past ponds, catch-and-release fishing lakes, a library Storybook Trail, and accessible facilities.
Ray Roberts Lake, about 29,000 acres, is a short drive northwest of Celina, with full-service marinas, a state park, and the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor trail for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Yes. Old Celina Park has more than three miles of trails, and the city keeps a growing trail network. Nearby, Ray Roberts Lake State Park connects to the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor multi-use trail.
East Texas guides — an easy drive from Celina
Weekend trips, lakes, festivals and small-town food east of the metroplex.
Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Best Hiking Trails in East Texas
East Texas hiking trails checked against park and Forest Service sources: Tyler, Daingerfield, Mission Tejas and Martin Creek Lake state parks, the Four C Trail and the Sawmill Trail.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Fishing in East Texas: Complete Guide
A sourced guide to fishing Lake Fork, Lake Palestine, Cedar Creek and Lake Athens: bass slot limits, where TPWD says the fish are, and Texas license rules.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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