Lake Texoma

Texoma is a very popular lake, but it is not usually too crowded due to its very large size. Waves can be quite large when the wind is up at 15-20 mph, but there are usually a few protected areas that are still fun to ride in for those who don't like them. The most popular areas are probably around the islands north of Island View (Point L on the first map below), Little Mineral Arm next to Grandpappy Point Marina (Point O), and up towards OK State Park where US 70 crosses the lake.

Texoma is great for cruising, sightseeing, endurance riding, partying on the holidays, and especially for jumping big waves (with wind or wakes). Of course, we'd really like everybody to make sure they stay well away from the big boats and each other. Many of the large boats will trim up and people will gather on the stern to watch, but please be sure and watch the captain to make sure it's OK with him if you're going to chase and jump.

MAPS

TPWD:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/lakes/texoma/lake_id.htm

Mapquest Overview:

http://www.mapquest.com/cgi-bin/ia_find?screen=ia_find&link=ia-map-result&uid=u1t20dn611yep9th

Mapquest (via Yahoo) map of the Preston Point Peninsula:

http://maps.yahoo.com/py/maps.py?Pyt=Tmap&YY=21052&city=Pottsboro&state=TX&slt=33.759201&sln=-96.669197&mlt=33.8737&mln=-96.6533&mag=6&cs=5&newmag=7

This map at the Lighthouse Resort site is pretty good, too.

http://www.lighthouseresort.com/map.htm

WATER CONDITIONS AND WEATHER

Water

There is an excellent site (http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/DENI.lakepage.html) to check current lake conditions and watch the lake level. For a quick check of the lake level, you can find information from the link above or follow this link: (http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/denielev00.html)

Also, you can check recent and current conditions including air

temp, wind direction and speed. http://www.swt-wc.usace.army.mil/webdata/gagedata/DSNT2.19980808.html

Weather

http://www.weather.com/weather/cities/us_tx_pottsboro.html

GREAT PLACES TO LAUNCH

Grandpappy Point

Pros: Short no-wake zone, relatively inexpensive marina fuel close by, protected waters are close, fairly central to the lake and easy to get to from DFW

Cons: Parking is pretty limited and mostly just along the steep rode down to the ramp, large waves can hinder launching and loading when the really big boats are going by, no services at the ramp.

A view from the ramp into Little Mineral Arm on a very threatening morning.

http://www.grandpappy.com/

Eisenhower State Park

The TX State Park is seen in green at the bottom of the map above. The marina and launch ramp are in the large bay at the southeast end of the park. Parking at the ramp is somewhat limited, and the fee to enter the park for day use is very reasonable (about $1.00 per person at this writing). Here's a picture of one of our ride groups at the launch.

There are two good ramps and one was still in use when the water level was substantially below normal in 1998. While the cove is well protected, it has quite a long no-wake zone to open water.

Highport (formerly Loe's)

Highport also has a fairly long no-wake zone, an active night-life scene, and is the place to see or be seen. You won't believe how many fancy offshore boats go in and out of this marina. It's also very close to the islands where boaters gather on weekends to party (usually on the north side).

http://www.loeshighport.com/

And LOT'S More

http://www.swt.usace.army.mil/template/recreat/OPSField/OPSField.CFM

CAMPING

Eisenhower State Park

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/eisenhow/eisenhow.htm

OK State Park

http://www.otrd.state.ok.us/texoma.html

US Army Corp of Engineers

http://www.swt.usace.army.mil/template/recreat/OPSField/results.CFM?tblRecreation__LakeName=Lake+Texoma

http://www.swt.usace.army.mil/recreat/nrrs.htm

Other