Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Lake Ray Roberts supplies water to the cities of Dallas and Denton and is named for longtime con-
gressman Ray Roberts, who died in 1993. The lake encompasses two state parks—Isle du Bois and
Johnson Branch—and a collection of protected wetlands and wildlife management areas. The nearby
Lake Roberts Greenbelt offers 20 miles of trails, but this park tends to have fewer hikers, making it
feel worlds away from the Metroplex even though it makes an easy day trip.
The trailhead is at the back of the park, all the way down the main road, by the boat ramp and fish
cleaning station. Look for the concrete-paved trail and bear right, walking away from the parking lot.
At about 0.12 mile you'll see the entrance to the Vanishing Prairie Nature Trail. Go left and head into
the forested area, which has educational markers identifying trees, plants, and area wildlife. The nature
trail is a small loop that eventually returns to the same point.
Rejoin the mail trail and cross the park's main road, heading toward a large swimming area by the
lake. The trail follows the shoreline, passing picnic tables on the right. Bear left as the trail splits,
crossing back over the park road and heading into the woods and away from the lake. The trail winds
through the Juniper Cove camping area here and then meanders back into the woods, passing a chem-
ical toilet on the right.
Cross back over the main park road and head into the woods, looping around until you join the trail
back by the beach area. Finish your hike with a refreshing dip in the lake.
