The Outdoors in Denton, Texas
Denton sits at the northern point of the Metroplex, bracketed by two big reservoirs and surrounded by more open country than the suburbs to the south. Between the lakes, a long river greenbelt, and a solid city park system, there's real outdoor range here.
Here's where to get outside in and around Denton.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park
North of the city, Ray Roberts Lake State Park is the standout — a large reservoir known for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie fishing, with a state park offering camping, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and backpacking. The Isle du Bois unit has a swimming beach with picnic tables, a volleyball court, and a playground.
It's one of the better state parks in the northern Metroplex, and it gives Denton a genuine lake-and-woods escape a short drive from downtown.
Lewisville Lake and the Greenbelt
To the south, Lewisville Lake adds more boating and fishing, and the two lakes are linked by the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor — a multiuse trail running along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River from the Ray Roberts dam down to Lewisville Lake, open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders.
The greenbelt is a long, natural corridor through the river bottom, and it's one of the best distance trails in the area, connecting Denton's two lakes on foot or by bike.
City Parks and Trails
In town, Denton keeps a system of city parks and trails, and the University of North Texas campus adds green space, fountains, and public art open to a stroll.
Between the two big lakes, the greenbelt, and the parks in town, Denton covers the outdoors from a state-park camping trip to an easy campus walk.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Denton.
- Denton County Historical Park county
- McKenna Park
- Fred Moore Park
- Quakertown Park
- Carl Gene Young Sr. Park
- Owsley Park
- Bowling Green Park
- Historical Denton Square
- Wolff’s Park
- Clark Park
- Rayzor Ranch Park
- North Lakes Park
- Evers Park
- Nette Shultz Park
- Mack Park
- Denia Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Denton
Major East Texas lakes and reservoirs within driving distance — fishing, boating, and lakeside camping.
- Lewisville Lake · ~10 mi
- Grapevine Lake · ~15 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake · ~17 mi
- Eagle Mountain Lake · ~27 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Denton
Public lands within reach of Denton — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Unit State Park · Denton County ~9 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Elm Fork Unit State Park · Denton County ~11 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Sanger Unit State Park · Denton County ~11 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pond Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~12 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Isle du Bois Unit State Park · Denton County ~13 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Johnson Branch Unit State Park · Denton County ~15 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Jordon Unit State Park · Denton County ~15 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Pecan Creek Unit State Park · Denton County ~15 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Trail Corridor Unit State Park · Denton County ~15 mi
- Ray Roberts Lake - Buck Creek Unit State Park · Grayson County ~20 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Denton. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Denton
Denton sits between Ray Roberts Lake to the north — with a state park for camping, hiking, and fishing — and Lewisville Lake to the south. The two are linked by the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor multiuse trail along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, north of Denton, is a large reservoir known for bass, catfish, and crappie fishing, with camping, hiking, biking, and horseback riding, plus a swimming beach at the Isle du Bois unit.
Yes. The 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor runs from the Ray Roberts dam to Lewisville Lake along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders — one of the best distance trails in the area.
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