Lake Ray Hubbard is located in the counties of Collin, Dallas, Kaufman, and Rockwall on the eastern edge of the Dallas Metroplex. Most the eastern third with two northern arms of Rockwall Lake is in Dallas County, and most its western two-thirds is in Rockwall County. Lake Ray Hubbard covers 22,745 acres and has 111 miles of shoreline with an average depth of 32 feet and a maximum depth of 40 feet.

Lake Ray Hubbard is only 30 miles from Downtown Dallas and surrounded clockwise from the north by the towns and cities of Wyle, Lavon, Rockwall, Heath, Sunnyvale, Rosehill, and Rowlett. I30 runs southwest to northeast across the middle of Lake Ray Hubbard. You can access Lake Ray Hubbard from the George Bush Turnpike on the west, SH 78 on the north, SH 205 on the west, and US 80 on the south.

The City of Dallas owns Lake Ray Hubbard, but has mutual-aid agreements with other cities to operate Lake Ray Hubbard. The East Fork of the Trinity River feeds Lake Ray Hubbard, and it is in a densely populated region. There is plenty to do and see at Lake Ray Hubbard, with upscale shopping and entertainment centers, plenty of outdoor activities, and beautiful parks.

Lake Ray Hubbard History

Lake Ray Hubbard was designed to provide water to the north Texas region. Construction began in 1964, it was impounded in 1968, and completed in 1969. Ray Hubbard presided over the Dallas Parks and Recreation System board from 1943 to 1972. Orginally it was named Forney Lake after a nearby town, but its Forney-Rockwall Dam still holds the original names of the region. Due to the significant expansion of the Dallas Metroplex, several bridges and causeways cross Lake Ray Hubbard.

Before construction of Lake Ray Hubbbard, the locals called this section of the Trinity River, “The Bottom”. The local folks went there to picnic, camp, fish, and noodle. The Caddo Indians were the original inhabitants of the region, followed by the Creek Indians in the early 1800s. The two tribes were in conflict when settlers moved into the territory in the 1840s.

The Boydstun family from Illinois were the first Anglo settlers on a 572-acre tract of land near the East Fork of the Trinity River. More settlers followed and established the town of Rockwall in 1854 with a post office. The townsfolk unearthed an enormous stone wall in 1851 underneath the proposed town site and called their town Rockwall. The farmers gathered in Rockwall for business and social interaction. Rockwall became the Kaufman County seat in 1874 and incorporated in 1875.

By 1890, Rockwall’s population was close 1,000 residents, and Rockwall had three churches, a school, and almost a dozen businesses, plus a weekly newspaper, the Rockwall Success. Rockwall continued to grow over the years. The construction of Lake Ray Hubbard influenced growth in the area with new business opportunities in the towns surrounding it today. In 2021, the growth is not slowing down, and there are stunning buildings and recreational areas with upscale housing developments making Lake Ray Hubbard an extremely popular destination for Dallasites.

Lake Ray Hubbard Cabins and Vacation Homes

In Dallas style, there are mansions, condos, apartments, and hotel suites available for short-term rentals, plus vacation home and cabin rental agencies who can assist you in finding an ideal rental for your Lake Ray Hubbard getaway right on the lake. There are so many options to choose from that you will find it easy to research options that will completely suit your needs.

Find the perfect vacation home on our Lake Ray Hubbard Cabins page.

Camping at Lake Ray Hubbard

There are a few RV parks near, not on Lake Ray Hubbard, but no true lake-front campgrounds.

Check out our list of RV parks for your family adventure on our Lake Ray Hubbard RV Park page.

Day Use Parks at Lake Ray Hubbard

All the parks are day use only on Lake Ray Hubbard, but some stay open late nights. You can find something perfect for you at the almost 20 parks scattered around the lake offering picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, swimming, boating, windsurfing, fishing, sports courts, grills, and even a dog park. The Harbor at Rockwall is an entertainment center with a magnificent view of Lake Ray Hubbard featuring many walking paths and restaurant patios, plus live music in the summer.

Fishing Lake Ray Hubbard

Lake Ray Hubbard contains large populations of largemouth, hybrid striped, and white bass, blue and channel catfish, and white crappie. Lake Ray Hubbard provides excellent opportunities for hybrid striped bass and catfish, and good fishing for largemouth and white bass and crappie.

A good bit of standing timber provides fish habitats, and submersed vegetation is becoming more abundant for largemouth bass habitats along with rip rap. On the west side of Lake Ray Hubbard south of I30, a heated discharge attracts most of the game fish. Humps and points extend into Lake Ray Hubbard that attract largemouth, striped hybrid, and white bass. Anglers will find white bass crappie in submerged brush piles. Fishing from the bank is easily accessible.

If you want an exciting fishing adventure on Lake Ray Hubbard, consider a guide service. The local Lake Ray Hubbard fishing guides consistently take you where the fish are biting, no matter the species you are after. The fishing opportunities are never-ending, and you will not be hassling with a boat and its many necessary chores.

Explore our Lake Ray Hubbard Fishing Guides page.

Boating Lake Ray Hubbard

Boating is where Lake Ray Hubbard really shines. Dallasites along with its suburbanites take advantage of Lake Ray Hubbard’s closeness to the city for all kinds of watersports. Plenty of boat ramps are available in the form of public and fee-based launching in the parks and marinas scattered around Lake Ray Hubbard.

Lake Ray Hubbard supports any type of boat. There two yacht clubs and sailing is popular. Powerboats, pontoon boats, fishing boats, and canoes and kayaks are everywhere during peak season. Windsurf Park is free, and it is best place to windsurf on Lake Ray Hubbard.

Paddle Point Park in Rowlett offers a 6.4-mile paddling trail with a boat launch for canoes, kayaks, and jon boats. It also has kayak classes and rentals. Boat rental services are offered in many of the parks and marinas. From party boat and cruise charters to fishing boats to kayaks, there is no problem finding boat rental services on Lake Ray Hubbard.

Are you looking for a boat to call your own? Several boat dealerships dot the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard. Many boat services like repair, detailing, and more are also available.

Find or sell a boat on our Lake Ray Hubbard Boats for Sale page.

Lake Ray Hubbard Marinas

Four Marinas call Lake Ray Hubbard their home, Harbor Bay Marina, Captian’s Cove, Bayside Boat Club, and Chandler’s Landing. They have a variety of features like secure boat slips, boat rentals, boat ramps, dry boat and trailer storage, gas docks, courtesy docks, RV storage, ship’s stores, swimming pools, showers, and restrooms.

One of the marinas on Lake Ray Hubbard will provide your boat with its perfect home for super outdoor fun with family and friends. Harbor Bay Marina includes a giant enclosed fishing building. One of these marinas is sure to satisfy all of your boating needs. There’s plenty of room on Lake Ray Hubbard with hundreds of boat slips, covered and uncovered.

Plan your trip to the lake by finding a marina on our Lake Ray Hubbards Marinas page.

Lake Ray Hubbard Real Estate

Lake Ray Hubbard real estate is a beautiful, although lesser-known, real estate market in Texas for buying and selling lake homes and lake lots. Typically, there are 30 lake homes for sale on Lake Ray Hubbard, and 10 lake lots and parcels. The average price is almost one million dollars at $855,000. Also, there are condos, apartments, and lesser-priced housing.

Lake Ray Hubbard is a densely populated area, and there are five Walmarts around it. The best shopping centers are just a few miles away on the east side of Lake Ray Hubbard with the closest one in Garland, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Sunnyvale ISD, Rockwall ISD, and Rowlett ISD provide public education close to Lake Ray Hubbard. Downtown Dallas in only 30 miles east of Lake Ray Hubbard.

To find your dream lake home, explore our Lake Ray Hubbard Homes for Sale page.

Trails at Lake Ray Hubbard

There are several trails on or close by Lake Ray Hubbard’s eastern border, the Wylie Community Park Trail, Springfield Park Trail, Valley Creek Greenbelt Trail, Dallas Nature Trail, and Duck Creek Greenbelt Trail. Many of the parks on Lake Ray Hubbard have paved walking paths all around the lake like the Lake Front Trail Park. The Rowlett Nature Trail in Rowlett, Texas, offers picnic tables on its 1.3-mile trail. Some are pet friendly with animals on leashes.

Things to Do at Lake Ray Hubbard

The Waterview Golf Club offers a championship golf course with a challenging level of play for all golfers, from beginners to professionals. It has a lush, gently rolling, par 72 course featuring 15 acres of lake view and 1,500 trees representing 18 different species, and extensive practice facilities, plus an on-site bar and grill.

The Rockwall Golf & Athletic Club boasts an 18-hole playground. RGAC's golf programming offers competitive and social events for its club’s aspiring golfers and leisure players within a dramatic lakeside setting.

The Harbor Rockwall is an upscale entertainment center right on the lake with shopping, a dozen eateries with some serving alcoholic beverages and a variety of cuisines and dessert shops, boutiques and salons with spas, plus a cinema and the Harbor Amphitheater in Rockwall. It is surrounded by paved walking paths and courtesy boat slips with a great view of Lake Ray Hubbard.

Visit the Urban Air Adventure trampoline park in Rockwall where kids of all ages can conquer obstacles, show gravity who is boss, and have a blast seven days a week. The Rowlette Wet Zone is a fun-filled water park that stays open at nights, offers swimming lessons, and hosts private parties.

San Martino Winery & Vineyards is in Rockwall where you need reservations on Saturdays and Sundays. This vineyard has large outdoor patios, bring your own picnic grounds, wine tastings, and live music. Don’t miss In-Sync Exotics, an exotic cat refuge that gives guided tours seven days a week. See and learn about bobcats, cheetahs, cougars, leopards, lions, lynxes, ocelots, servals, and tigers.

The Devil’s Bowl Speedway is known as the Southwest’s most famous dirt track. It features a high-banked half-mile track with tacky black clay. The track is a unique D-shape with the curve on the back straight fifteen feet higher than the front with seating for 10,000 and four classes in the Weekly Championship Series and year round events. It is located in Mesquite, Texas, about six miles southwest of the southern tip of Lake Ray Hubbard.

Lake Ray Hubbard Weather & Climate

Lake Ray Hubbard sees an average of 40 inches of rain per year, with 1 inch of snow and 218 days of sunshine. The winter low in January is 34 degrees and a summer high in July of 95 degrees. April, May, and October are the most comfortable months for this region. Stay up to date with our Lake Ray Hubbard Weather Forecast page.

Lake Ray Hubbard Zip Codes

Collin County: 75002, 75009, 75013, 75023, 75024, 75025, 75026, 75033, 75034, 75035, 75069, 75070, 75071, 75072, 75074, 75075, 75078, 75086, 75093, 75094, 75097, 75098, 75121, 75164, 75166, 75173, 75189, 75252, 75287, 75301, 75370, 75379,  75407, 75409, 75424, 75442, 75454, 75485.

Dallas County: 75001, 75006, 75007, 75011, 75014, 75015, 75016, 75017, 75019, 75030, 75037, 75038, 75039, 75040, 75041, 75042, 75043, 7504475045, 75046,75047, 75048, 75049, 75050, 75051, 75052,  75053, 75054, 75059, 75060, 75061, 75062, 75063, 75080, 75081, 75082, 75083, 75085, 75088, 75089, 75099, 75104, 75106, 75115, 75116, 75123, 75125, 75134, 75137, 75138, 7514175146, 7514975150, 75154, 75159, 75172, 75180, 75181, 75182, 75185, 75187, 75201, 75202. 75203,  75204, 75205, 75206, 75207, 75208, 75209, 75210, 75211, , 75212, 75214, 75215, 75216, 75217, 75218, 75219, 75220, 75221, 75222, 75223, 75224, 75225, 75226, 75227, 75228, 75229, 75230, 75231, 75232, 75233, 75234, 75235, 75236, 75237, 75238, 75239, 75240, 75241, 75242, 75243, 75244, 75245, 75246, 75247, 75248, 75249, 75250, 75251, 75253, 75254, 75258, 75260, 75261, 7526275263, 75264, 75265, 75266, 75267, 75270, 75275, 75277, 75283, 75284, 75285, 75286, 75295, 75303, 75310, 75312. 75313. 75315, 75320, 75323,75326, 75334, 75336, 75339, 75340, 75342, 75343, 75344, 75346, 75353, 75354, 75355, 75356, 75357, 75358, 75359, 75360, 75363, 75364, 75367, 75369, 75371, 75372, 75373, 75374, 75376, 75378, 75380, 75381, 75382, 75386, 75387, 75388, 75389, 75390, 75391, 75392, 75393, 75394, 75395,  75396, 75397,75398.

Kaufman County: 75126, 75160, 75142, 75143, 75147, 75161, 75114.

Rockwall County: 75032, 75087, 75132.

Flora & Fauna Around Lake Ray Hubbard

Lake Ray Hubbard’s region is called an ecotone, where two ecological zones meet. In this area, the limestone prairie meets the forest. Lake Ray Hubbard is surrounded by thick forests with 18 species of trees. Common trees are chinquapin, bur, and shumard oaks. Common wildlife sightings include bats, coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, and a rare alligator. Birds include doves, Forster’s Terns, American white pelicans, great egrets, great blue herons, northern cardinals, red-shouldered hawks, turkeys, and various ducks and shorebirds.