Texas Summer Beach Getaway: Lake Whitney

When most people think of the ultimate Texas beach vacation, they think of South Padre Island and the Gulf of Mexico. I've been to South Padre many times, since my parents had a condo there when I was a teenager. It's not as wonderful as you might think. It's expensive, there is trash and oil on the beach, and it tends to get so overcrowded that you feel more like a sardine in a can than someone who has escaped into paradise. It's also a long ways away from everything but the southernmost part of Texas.

Much better is an escape to one of the many lakes we have here in Texas. Lakeside vacationing is just as fun as coastside vacationing. It also offers opportunities for shopping, camping, and historical exploration which the coast simply doesn't provide. Lake Whitney is an excellent example.

In June of 2005, we took a summer weekend getaway to Lake Whitney, which is just west of Hillsboro, Texas. About a week in advance I booked a cabin for one night at Lake Whitney State Park for $25. On the day before our trip, we packed our trunk full of provisions, and early on a Saturday morning we set out, going south on the interstate.

It only took about two hours to get from our home in Garland, which is in Dallas County, to this vacation destination which has been named the Official Getaway Capital of Texas. We've been frequent visitors to Texas State Parks in the past. So upon our arrival at Lake Whitney State Park I purchased a State Parks membership card for $60, which would permit us to have unlimited access to all the state parks in Texas for one year. There were a couple of other state parks near Dallas, including Cedar Hill State Park, and Lake Tawakoni State Park, so I knew we would get our money's worth.

We got checked into our cabin, which was an unusually attractive screened-in rustic wooden building with a picnic table inside and a padlock on the door. We had an additional picnic table outside on our spacious campsite, and a large fire pit with a metal grille for cooking. That day was a scorcher, and right away my two boys, who were four and nine at the time, wanted a swim. They suited up so fast it made my head spin, and hiked out to the swimming area with their father, which was very close to our cabin. Our cabin had electric outlets, built-in lights and a water spout outside.

After I got us settled in, and changed into my swimsuit, I went down to join my husband and sons. The beach was a pale tan color, sandy and slightly grassy. The view across the lake was breathtakingly beautiful. The boys were jubilant to have this chance to swim and cavort in the clear, cool waters of Lake Whitney after our long ride. Though the lake was popular, it was far from crowded and it was easy to find a spot to lay down our blanket and relax in the sun. The shade, however, was at a premium, so cooling down necessitated a trip into the water.

I realized that we had just about everything we needed except for a camp coffee pot, so after the boys and their father had completed their dip in the water, we headed out to find one. We happened across a place called The Outdoor Store which was well stocked on camping and picnic supplies. I found an aluminum coffee pot which fit my purposes nicely. We dropped by the Sims Ace Home Center hardware store to pick up a couple of air mattresses for swimming and sleeping. We went to Brookshire's to pick up some groceries and ice, and headed back to the campsite for more swimming.

I spent the afternoon relaxing, sipping soda and reading my Yoga Journal as my boys finished their water fun. A light breeze wafted through the screens in the open-air cabin, helping me to stay cool. That evening we cooked up vegetarian hot dogs on whole wheat buns and roasted marshmallows. We enjoyed a blazing crimson sunset as the day waned. Anticipating the boys would be up bright an early, we called it a night fairly early.

In the morning I awoke to make my much anticipated old-fashioned coffee with my camping coffee pot. The boys joyously ate cereal out of colorful little boxes as I cooked eggs and veggie sausage over an open fire. Out of all the things we did while camping, I think that cooking out of doors was one of my favorites. As my boys scarfed down my cooking, my husband and I chatted and relaxed over our delicious outdoor brew.

The boys were very vocal that their favorite part of the trip was the swimming, so they headed out with their father once more. I checked out the local showers in the park restroom nearest our cabin. There was plenty of hot water, but the heat had me wanting to keep it pretty cool.

We headed back to Dallas early in the afternoon, with a stop at Dairy Queen along the way for a bite of ice cream and cold drinks. The drive home went smoothly, with little traffic on the way. We were home in time to take in a movie in the evening, and as my usual, I put off unpacking until another day. I felt relaxed and happy, and pleasantly felt that I would not need a vacation to recover from my vacation.

With all the things that we did that weekend in Lake Whitney, we only saw a fraction of the fun. Lake Whitney offers a wide range of recreational activities and attractions to fit all budgets. Whether you're wanting to rough it on the campground, or be pampered in a luxurious resort, or somewhere in between, Lake Whitney has accommodations to suit your needs. There are several resorts in the area, including Arrowhead Resort, Cliffview Resort, Indian Lodge Resort, Little Rocky Lodge, and Cherokee Village Resort, which offer a wide variety of amenities to make your stay on the lake more enjoyable. There are also two bed and breakfast inns; the Lake Whitney Bed and Breakfast Inn, and Lakehaven Bed and Breakfast.

Along with the type of cabin we stayed in, Lake Whitney State Park offers primitive camping, RV campsites, shade shelters, a playground, a communal recreation hall with a kitchen, air conditioning, a group camp, a State Park Store, a boat launching ramp, and lots of trails for hiking and bicycling.

Lake Whitney is also a great place to go boating, whether you bring your own boat to the lake, or rent one. Lake Whitney Marina at Juniper Cove was named the Marina of the Year for 2004 by The Marina Association of Texas. The Lake Whitney Marina also offers cabin rental and RV spaces.

Another one of our haunts, Dinosaur Valley in Glen Rose, Texas, is little more than an hour away from Lake Whitney. Also in Glen Rose is the Fossil Rim Exotic Wildlife Ranch. Cleburne State Park is also about an hour away from Lake Whitney, as is the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame in Waco. Lake Whitney is even closer to Waco than it is to DFW, so if you live thereabouts, and you don't want to travel very far, Lake Whitney is the perfect destination.

Nearby downtown Hillsboro is only about half an hour away from the hub of activity in Lake Whitney, and offers wonderful antique shopping in its Courthouse Square. There's also an outlet mall nearby in Hillsboro if you're looking to shop for some bargains.

Lake Whitney also offers the best summer fishing in June, when catfish abounds. Birdwatching is also a favorite activity in Lake Whitney, with a wide variety of species making an appearance there, including quail, hawks and orioles. The wildflowers are in bloom in late spring and early summer, including bluebonnets, and Indian paintbrush.

Other popular activities in Lake Whitney include motocross and mountain biking, hiking, scuba diving and water skiing.

Whether you're a native Texan, or you're coming to Lake Whitney from out of state, it's important to follow a few basic tips to stay safe and ensured of having a good time. First of all, the sun in Texas is brutal. In summer, it's especially important to pack sunscreen and apply it regularly and often. Be sure to apply fifteen to thirty minutes before you anticipate sun exposure. Also, if you're going to be outdoors for any length of time, plan on packing plenty of cool drinks to stay cool and hydrated. Don't hike if it's over ninety degrees, and never hike alone. Make a habit of seeking out the shade.

In summary, there's no need to go all the way to Galveston or South Padre Island to have summer fun on the beach in Texas. Lakeside recreation in Texas is just as fun, in some ways more so, because there's less distance to travel, and you can do it on a budget. It's especially great if you prefer fresh water over salt water, as I do. So whether you're looking for a long weekend getaway, or whether you're in the mood for a longer vacation, Lake Whitney offers fantastic recreational opportunities for everyone.

Sources:

Uncredited, "Lake Whitney State Park." Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. URL: (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lake_whitney/)
Uncredited, "Lake Whitney (Texas)." Wikipedia. URL: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Whitney_(Texas))
Uncredited, "Lake Whitney Resorts." Lake Whitney Resorts. URL: (http://www.lakewhitneyresorts.com/)
Uncredited, "Marina of the Year." Lake Whitney Marina at Juniper Cove. URL: (http://www.lakewhitneymarina.com/)