Thunderfoot On the Water
Lakes, rivers
& the Gulf
Fishing, boating, paddling, tubing and beach days across Texas. Pick your water, then use our free maps and planners to plan the day and get home safe.
Start here
Choose your water day
Fishing
Search 125+ spots by the fish you want to catch, from bass lakes to bay piers.
Fishing hub →Lakes & rivers
Lake guides, river access and the reservoirs worth the drive.
Lakes & rivers →Boating & watersports
Boating, paddling, skiing and wake days, plus ramp and safety guides.
Boating guides →River tubing
Compare Hill Country floats on the Comal, Guadalupe, San Marcos and more.
Tubing guide →Beaches & surf
Gulf Coast beaches, surf breaks and coastal weekends from Galveston to Padre.
Surf & coast →Make it overnight
Pair a water day with a lakeside or beach campsite.
Texas camping →Free planners
Check the water before you load up
Our planners show where to go and what the water is doing, so you can pick the right lake, beach or river before you hitch the trailer or pack the cooler.
See all planners01Beach conditions
Surf, water color, wind, tides and rip-current warnings with a 7-day outlook.
Compare beaches →02Fishing Spot Finder
Bank spots, piers, kayak launches, ramps and charters, filtered by fish.
Find a spot →03Lake maps
Ramps, marinas, fuel, hazards and fishing areas on six big Texas lakes.
Open a lake map →04Camping Finder
Lakeside, river and beach campsites with rates and hookups.
Find a campsite →Lake maps
Going to a big lake?
Our lake maps show ramps, marinas, fishing areas, hazards and weather, and most include GPS tracking while you’re on the water.
Lake Conroe
Hazards and boat ramps around the lake.
Open lake map →Sam Rayburn
Ramps, marinas, fishing areas and GPS tracking.
Open lake map →Lake Livingston
White bass, catfish and stripers on 90,000 acres.
Open lake map →Lake Travis
Lake levels, usable ramps and low-water hazards.
Open lake map →Lake Texoma
Striper country, with ramps on both shores.
Open lake map →Caddo Lake
Boat roads, cypress bayous, bass and crappie.
Open lake map →From the dock
Water stories & guides
Lake Conroe’s Hidden Features: Marinas, Hazards and Waterfront Stops on Our Interactive Map
Boat Ramp Etiquette: 10 Things That Keep Everyone From Hating You
Big Thicket by Water: Beaumont’s Cypress-Slough Adventure Is No Ordinary Paddle
Texas Gulf Coast: Go Beyond a Basic Beach Day
Texas King Tides & Surf Forecast: Which Beaches Have Waves This Week?
Boat Maintenance After a Texas Summer: The Systems Worth Checking Before Storage
Before you go
Four checks before you launch
Life jackets for everyone
Bring a life jacket that fits for every person on board, and have kids wear theirs. Most people who drown in boating accidents weren’t wearing one.
Boater education
If you were born on or after Sept. 1, 1993, Texas requires a boater education course to run a boat over 15 hp, a sailboat over 14 feet or a personal watercraft.
Check lake levels & ramps
Low water closes ramps and exposes stumps. Check the lake map or the lake’s operator before you tow the boat.
Respect the flags & weather
On the coast, red flags mean rip currents or rough surf. On any water, get off at the first thunder and head in when the wind builds.
Keep exploring