Need a boy scout....lost trying to find Lake Dallas shoreline... (Denton: leases, chapel)

[socketz]

Today was a gorgeous day, so I decided to go for a drive. From Custer, went across 380. Past a place called Paloma Creek, which looked really nice for sub 150k homes. Things really were green and mature up there on 380, looked nice. I then took the 288 south, which then intersected with the 35E south. I thought for sure I'd be able to find Lake Lewisville/Dallas because I knew they were just to the east of me.

I tried getting on an exit that said 'Lake Dallas', but it was closed.

Tried another one for Lakewood Village, but it only went West, not East towards the lake.

I then tried main street, but it spun me around and dropped me on the 121, back on my way towards Frisco.

What gives ? How do I find a road that goes into the Lake. It seems that the lake is hidden. I missed an exit called Shady Shores. Was that the right exit ? all I really wanted to see was some shoreline and watch people on their boats.

What's a guy to do ? Where are the nice touristy spots on Lake Dallas/Lewisville. Maybe a spot where you can sit and have lunch and look out over the water. Do they exist ? I know I was getting warm because of all the water sports stores I saw, but I simply couldn't figure out how to actually get to the lake.

Need a boy scout to help me find my way.

[momof2dfw]

If you want to find somewhere to eat or have a drink and see the lake there is only one place, Sneaky Pete's. That place has been there FOREVER! There is nothing else on the lake for food/drinks.

Gosh, I know how to get to many different spots on the lake but not the street names, lol. Your gonna make me have to get my old lady glasses on aren't you so I can read the map.

On the south side of the lake was there not an exit to take and go back to the spot on the west side of I35? You should have been able to see a park on both sides of the highway at the lake right there. ???

Okay, let me get the mapsco and I'll tell you also how to get to the park up on the Little Elm side to go to the lake but it is either day sites or overnight camping and you have to pay to get in.

[momof2dfw]

Okay, the park up out of Little Elm is called Hidden Cove. If you take Lebanon west to 423 and go north on 423. Turn left on Stonebrook Pkwy and follow it till it turns into Hackberry which will turn sharp right and go straight to the park entrance.

Then there is East Hill Park. This is where everyone used to go when I was growing up, teens that is. Party central. Take 121 west out of Frisco and go past Main St in The Colony aka 423. Right before you go under the railroad track bridge there is a street RIGHT THERE called East Hill Park, turn right and follow that to the lake.

Stewarts Creek Park in The Colony. Take 423 aka Main St in The Colony north from Hwy 121. Turn left on Colongy Blvd and that will take you to the lake.

Off of I35 you have a couple of other options. If your going south on I35 from Denton take the Turbeville Rd/W. Hundley Dr exit and go east to Willow Grove Park.

If you happen to be going north on I35 out of Lewisville take the exit for Justin Rd exit and you can go east on Lake Park Rd to several parks that way, Sneaky Petes is on this side of the lake and I35. Or you can go to the west side of I35 to Copperas Branch Park.

[socketz]

Dang....I wish I would have asked you about this before I left.

I had avoided the Colony/Little Elm side because I heard there was not much there....looks like I was wrong.

I will check out Sneaky Pete's (http://www.sneakypetesonline.com/) next weekend when I drive out a 2nd time.

Thanks for the help with this mom.

Also, why do you think there are not more places to eat/hang out along the shores of Lake Dallas ? Everyone loves the water right, so why not develop around it. The surrounding areas in Denton didn't look so bad. Also, places like The Colony and Little Elm are on the Lake....so why are they full of starter homes and have such a bad rap ?

Also, I wanted to ask you....why is the 380 also called 'university'...where is the University on the 380 ?

[momof2dfw]

Also, why do you think there are not more places to eat/hang out along the shores of Lake Dallas ? Everyone loves the water right, so why not develop around it. The surrounding areas in Denton didn't look so bad. Also, places like The Colony and Little Elm are on the Lake....so why are they full of starter homes and have such a bad rap ?
A long time ago when lakes were built around the Dallas area they were not looked upon as being highly sought after. The land was cheap, unincorporated, no city services and such. So it was common to find it full of old houses, run down mobile homes and such. There are a few exceptions to this around Lake Ray Hubbard and Cedar Creek Lake. Heck, there once was the Lake Tawakoni Yacht Club, lol. Now that the city and burbs have grown and people have realized it is nice to live by the lake they are sought out after. Oh, another issue is the fact that during droughts your lake front property was not lake front anymore. Also most lakes are owned by a city or water authority and you have to lease the shoreline from them. Some lakes do not allow this. The City of Dallas just a few years ago approved for the cities around Lake Ray Hubbard to get shoreline leases to lease to the owners adjoining the property. So those people could not build a boathouse, pier or anything on that property as they did not own it. It was also public access so people could walk behind house. The Colony was started by Fox & Jacobs and all of those really crappy starter homes they built there don't help. Sad, really sad. But you will find this is the case in spots around all area lakes.

Also, I wanted to ask you....why is the 380 also called 'university'...where is the University on the 380 ?

Texas Woman's University is right there on University in Denton. Those two tall tower buildings are dorms for TWU. There is not a large part of the campus on University but the Little Chapel In The Woods backs up to that area.

[LOK222]

Dude, that lake is fricken HUGE! it looks like the ocean.. I dont know the name of the roads but you can see the water. I think there is like 3 exits off of 35 and we took one of them

[FarNorthDallas]

You might also drive up to Lake Texoma where there are several places on the lake to eat. Highport Marina is one, Grandpappy Point is another. There are many more.

[socketz]

Originally Posted by FarNorthDallas

You might also drive up to Lake Texoma where there are several places on the lake to eat. Highport Marina is one, Grandpappy Point is another. There are many more.

One of the reasons I liked West Mckinney/SBR was it's proximity (still 45 miles north) to Texoma. I've heard great things about that Lake, so I need to explore there as well.

I was trying to give the other Lake (Dallas/Lewisville) I'm close to some thought as well, so that's why I was out exploring. It seems that I need to do some more driving in that area.

Mom - I saw those two towers in Denton. They seemed out of place there ? But now I know what they are and why the road was named University.