Ray Roberts Lake State Park — Attraction in Pilot Point

I recently spent a day at Isle du Bois State Park, part of the Ray Roberts Lake State Park system near Pilot Point, Texas, and it was a refreshing escape from the hustle of city life. Just an hour north of the DFW Metroplex, this park offers a mix of outdoor activities and some truly memorable wildlife encounters that made the trip worthwhile. One of the highlights for me was the wildlife. As I hiked along the multiuse trails, I spotted a few white-tailed deer grazing quietly in the distance. Their grace and calm presence were a cool reminder of how vibrant this ecosystem is. I also caught sight of a snake—likely a non-venomous one, given the park’s diverse reptile population—slithering off the path. It was a quick thrill, though I kept my distance, knowing Texas has its share of venomous species too. Lizards darted across rocks, and squirrels chattered in the oak trees, adding a lively soundtrack to the day. I’d heard the park is a haven for birdwatchers, and I wasn’t disappointed—there were plenty of birds flitting about, including some endangered species like the black-capped vireo or whooping crane that are known to pass through the region. Bring binoculars if you’re into birding; it’s a treat to see these rare visitors. Fishing at Isle du Bois was another standout. The park sits on the shores of the 29,000-acre Ray Roberts Lake, and the fishing pier at this unit is a prime spot. I saw folks pulling in largemouth bass and crappie, and the kids’ fishing pond near the Interpretive Center looked like a blast for families. I didn’t have my gear this time, but the clear water and abundant fish made me eager to return with a rod. The lake’s structure—timber and brush piles—seems to make it a hotspot for anglers, though I’d recommend checking conditions beforehand, as low water levels can sometimes close ramps. One thing that caught my attention was evidence of a prescribed burn. I noticed some charred patches along the trails, which I later learned are part of the park’s management strategy. These controlled burns, often scheduled through spring (like the ones planned through April 2025), clear out overgrown vegetation, reduce wildfire risk, and promote new growth for wildlife. It’s cool to see how this benefits the deer, birds, and even smaller critters like lizards by keeping their habitat healthy. The air had a faint smoky scent in spots, but it didn’t detract from the experience—just a sign of the park staying in balance. The park itself is well-equipped. The trails are great for hiking or biking (some are paved, others more rugged), and there’s a swimming beach (no lifeguards, so swim at your own risk). The Interpretive Center was a nice touch—small but informative, with displays on local ecology. My only gripes? It can get busy on weekends, so reserving a day pass online is smart. Also, the lake’s hydrilla problem—an invasive plant—might clog up fishing or boating in some areas, though they’re working on it. Overall, Isle du Bois State Park is a solid spot for nature lovers. The wildlife stole the show for me—those deer, sneaky snakes, and rare birds were worth the trip alone. Add in the fishing and the ecological perk of prescribed burns, and it’s a place I’d recommend to anyone needing a nature fix. I’ll let the photos speak...

There isn’t a park that we’ve been to more than this one. We live close by and life in the area wouldn’t be the same without it.

It’s a beautiful park with lots of trails and plenty to do. If you’re into camping there are RV hook up sites and also primitive camp sites if tent camping is your thing. I recommend booking reservations well in advance if you’re considering staying at the campgrounds as they’re usually booked in the busy season.

There’s paved sidewalk trails for biking and also dirt DORBA mountain bike trails. Then there’s an equestrian trail system with its own equestrian campground.

The Green Belt Corridor connects to the park and you have access to many miles of trails. You could walk/ bike/ ride from the park to highway 380 which is about 15 miles or so and then back.

The swimming beach here is also really nice and it has a nice little splash park that was just put in. There’s also the boat ramp if you have a boat. There’s a huge parking lot for trucks and trailers.

Another neat thing is the fishing dock by the boat ramp.

The water at the lake is one of the best things. The water is usually really clear and clean. There are times in the year when the water is a little more murky though.

One thing to note is that amenities are about a 15 min drive to Pilot Point. The town is small but there are a few restaurants, groceries, gas etc.

If you’re going there enjoy and please clean up after yourself. I have seen before when people show up in mass and leave the area trashed. It’s so sad that some people have no shame and respect...

This is a great large lake with multiple parks perfect for walking/biking trails, swimming, having picnics, and geocaching! Isle du bois area was closed this week (June 7) for the US open fishing tournament but the rest of the parks were open! This lake state park is incredibly family friendly and beautifuly clean. We paid our $7/adult entry fee and the woman working the entrance booth was very friendly. Great swimming for the littles! We ended up exploring the Johnson Branch unit area with our girls (7&4) and they were able to swim and splash in the water with out too much concern. Very shallow and slowly gets deeper. GREAT for families! We spent several hours just swimming away in the lake waters. The area has lots of benches and covered picnic spots. If it has rained recently look out for flooded spots! The water is clean, cold, and tied off before the swim area gets too deep. It was very low turn out when we went but with the amount of space and benches there is enough space for a lot of people to enjoy their own personal space with out feeling overcrowded. The jungle gym near by was in good condition and the kids enjoyed playing after swim time. The picnic tables are clean and sturdy for a good lunch break before we hit the trails. They are well maintenance and beautiful. Trash cans here seem to be emptied frequently and the camp areas are nice and clean. There is also a kids fishing hole and amphitheater. Plenty of public grills and even firewood vending cages around. Amazing Texas Lake...