Lake Texoma, TX

Living La Vida Texoma

It's springtime at Lake Texoma, and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' (particularly the striped bass) and the motorboats hum. Texas and Oklahoma share the 580-mile shoreline, which features several outstanding marinas providing ideal access to water recreation. And, sheltered coves along the serpentine lake, as well as some enclosed docks, make successful fishing almost certain. The lake and its corresponding shops, restaurants and golf courses draws more than nine million visitors annually. Many of these visitors – roughly 45,000 – arrive via the Thousand Trails (TT) preserve in Gordonville, Texas.

Outdoor enthusiasts, seasoned RVers, and water-lovers alike have made the Lake Texoma preserve a cherished retreat for Thousand Trails members and their guests since the park opened in 1982. Fishing, boating, water skiing, and swimming are particularly popular along the lake front beaches that encompass the day-use area of the park. With ample space for trailers to get in and out, the fishing dock and boat launch are busy nearly all season.

Scoping Out the Sites

Members return to their sites through a security gate from the lake front area. Accommodations include nearly 250 campsites (199 full hookups and 48 sites with water and electric only, including 11 primitive campsites) and numerous rental units (including 18 cabins; trailers are also available). Generous lots keep campers coming back.

Renting a cabin is the ticket to rustic luxury. Made of solid Western Cedar, a single unit comfortably houses six adults. Carpeted main living areas feature sleeping quarters, a full kitchen – complete with dishes, pots, microwave, coffee pot and more – cable television, a ceiling fan, and a wrought-iron fireplace. Venturing outside, a sizable, covered back deck with a picnic table and barbeque pit is perfect for al fresco dining.

As for the rest of the campground, creature comforts such as an on-site, heated and air-conditioned laundry facility and numerous block-brick bathhouses help campers combat homesickness. A general store in the Family Recreation Center is stocked well with food, drinks, merchandise, and RV parts and accessories for added convenience. Two storage facilities near the park entrance enable RV, trailer, and boat dry-docking for members as well. In addition, the preserve sells propane on the premises and operates a well, pumping and treating its own water.

Getting Organized: Group Activities

Organized activities are a trademark of the Lake Texoma preserve, and the park's themed weekends are a big hit with both the regulars and the short-timers. Planned throughout the March to November season, tried-and-true favorites like Casino Weekend intermingle with events surrounding major holidays.

July is a bustling time at the preserve.  The Independence Day holiday already draws crowds, and the musical pyrotechnics display has become a park tradition. And, don't miss the Lake Texoma Reunion Party. Past and current regulars and guests combine forces against staff members in a title softball match, and the pool party is a roaring good time.

Halloween festivities at the park are also a real treat. Kids enjoy painting pumpkins and exploring the spooky wonders of a haunted barn. Both children and adults enjoy competing in costume contests, and the campsite decoration competition seems to get tougher every year.

Hiking "Trotter's Trail"

If you'd rather strike out on your own, consider a trek on a "Trotter's Trail," which encircles the preserve. As you hike, the natural beauty of the North Texas region unfolds before you. The wide path provides good access and egress through the brush – you can feel your blood pressure drop with each passing moment of peace and quiet as you wind your way through the trees.

In early April, the redbud trees flame fuscia amid a backdrop of Texas Red Cedar, oak, and some juniper trees. Indigenous wildlife includes raccoons, white-tailed deer, roadrunners, turtledoves, and rabbits.

Creating Your Own Fun

There are also plenty of man-made structures to enjoy beyond the rugged terrain. Spending time with the kids was never more fun than at the Family Recreation Center, complete with playground, sand volleyball court, shuffleboard area, and horseshoe pit for starters. Adjacent to the pool area and spa is a fantastic miniature golf course with diverse obstacles and a whimsical appearance, enticing campers of all ages to play a few rounds. If inclement weather sends you indoors, the main building is replete with two pool tables, video games, a large meeting hall, and jukebox in addition to the ping-pong tables under the covered deck.

Looking for a quieter area for rest and reflection? Stretch out in a chaise lounge at the adult pool and spa area next to the Adult Lodge. Or, take in a shuffleboard game or pickelball match, if you're feeling feisty. Inside the lodge are gaming tables, a large-screen TV and VCR, video poker, a member-donated piano, and a bevy of board games and puzzles to spark your interest. Next door are the administrative offices for the preserve, so members can ask questions, get advice or just plain chat with the friendly folks running the place!

Stepping Out: Local Attractions

In the unlikely event that you have exhausted the vast resources of the preserve, or if you just want to get out and about, there are many local attractions from which to choose. In Denison, you'll find Eisenhower's Birthplace, Eisenhower State Park, Denison Dam, Grayson County Frontier Village, Munson Vineyards, and the Red Railroad Museum. Also nearby are the Hagerman Wildlife Refuge, based in Sherman, and the Outlet Mall and Historic Downtown Antique Tea Room in Gainesville.

Closer to the preserve are several stores, boutiques and antique shops dotting the lakeshore, and others are within a short drive. Quality dining ranging from barbeque to seafood is just around the corner – whether you're hankering for a juicy steak (even chicken-fried) or lighter fare, the local restaurants have what you're hungry for. Just visit the preserve's Welcome Center or ask a staff member about area hot spots. They won't steer you wrong!

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