| Ray Roberts Lake State Park | |
| Map: | Texas#USA |
| Relief: | yes |
| Location: | Denton County, Texas |
| Nearest City: | Pilot Point, Texas |
| Coords: | 33.3656°N -97.0119°W |
| Area: | 3777acres |
| Created: | 1993 |
| Visitation Num: | 885,173 |
| Visitation Year: | 2022 |
| Visitation Ref: | [1] |
| Named For: | Ray Roberts |
| Operator: | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is a state park located in Denton County, Texas, near Pilot Point, Texas. The park is 3777acres.[2] It is very popular due to its proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metro area – in 2016, it was the 8th most popular Texas state park with 244,193 visitors.[3] The park is divided into nine units: three are developed (Johnson Branch, Isle du Bois, and the Greenbelt), and six have boat ramps with lake access (Buck Creek, Jordan, Sanger, Pond Creek, Elm Fork, and Pecan Creek).[4]
Humans have inhabited the Isle du Bois region for over 11,000 years. Native American tribes such as the Kiowa and the Comanche lived in the area around the 1500s. Settlers arrived in the mid-19th century, driving out most Native Americans. The ruins of a 19th century homestead can be found in the Isle du Bois unit of the park.
The park offers nature programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, nature study, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, wildlife observation, horse riding, geocaching, and camping. Facilities at the park are picnic sites, playground areas, campsites, an amphitheater, a lighted fishing pier, and over 6miles of hiking trails, as well as 39.4miles of DORBA (Dallas Off-Road Bike Association) hike-and-bike trails and a 20miles greenbelt trail (12miles of which are open to horse riders).
Also located within the park is the Lake Ray Roberts Marina, a privately operated full-service marina.
The park is at the intersection of three ecoregions: Cross Timbers, Blackland Prairie, and Grand Prairie. As a result, it has land featuring the ecosystems of all three regions, including wooded areas and wetlands. Wildlife includes mammals, birds, fish, butterflies, lizards, and snakes.[5]