Joe Pool Lake is a reservoir in Dallas, Ellis and Tarrant Counties, with developed parks and public-access facilities for swimming, boating and paddling. Near Cedar Hill, Cedar Hill State Park is a practical place to start: it has a swimming beach, boat ramps and day-use facilities.
- Location: About four miles south of Grand Prairie on Mountain Creek.
- Access areas: Four developed parks, plus the privately operated Lynn Creek Marina.
- Cedar Hill State Park: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Day-use admission: $7 per adult at Cedar Hill State Park; children 12 and under are free.
Understanding the lake's access areas
Joe Pool Lake has four developed parks, and each access point has its own facilities and rules. The lake was impounded in 1986; its surface area is 6,469 acres and its maximum depth is 75 feet, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers identifies Britton Park, Cedar Hill State Park, Loyd Park and Lynn Creek Park as the lake’s developed parks. Lynn Creek Marina is also a public-access facility and is privately operated. Cedar Hill State Park sits on the lake’s east side at 1570 West FM 1382, Cedar Hill, TX 75104.
For a longer visit beyond the shoreline, Cedar Hill State Park’s trails and lake access include the park’s Penn Farm, a working farm from the mid-1800s to the mid-1900s with a self-guided tour.
Where can you swim or visit the shoreline?
Cedar Hill State Park has a gravel swimming beach with picnic tables, grills, a playground and restrooms nearby. Keep swimming separate from boat-launch areas: the Corps says swimming is not permitted near the ramps at Britton Park or Cedar Hill State Park.
If you are considering paddling as well as a beach visit, the Joe Pool Lake and Walnut Creek paddling trail is 4.9 miles long. The trail starts from a canoe launch at Loyd Park; the route to the TX-360 bridge and back is about five miles round trip.
How do you choose a boat launch?
Joe Pool Lake’s ramps vary in lane count, parking and access rules, so match the launch to your boat and plans.
Cedar Hill State Park’s north ramp has six lanes and parking for approximately 175 vehicles; its south ramp has two lanes and parking for approximately 150 vehicles. TPWD advises using the north ramp for larger boats because of siltation issues at the south ramp.
Other options include Loyd Park, with a four-lane ramp and parking for 35 vehicles; Lynn Creek Marina, with two lanes and parking for 50; and Lynn Creek Park, with eight lanes and parking for 100. Britton Park has a single-lane ramp and parking for 25 vehicles.
TPWD’s access-facility table marks restrooms, parking and courtesy docks at both Cedar Hill State Park ramps, Loyd Park, Lynn Creek Marina and Lynn Creek Park. It also marks those four locations as ADA accessible.
Britton Park and Lynn Creek Park are day-use only; the listed facilities are fee-required. Britton Park, Loyd Park and Lynn Creek Marina are open year-round or all year.
At Loyd Park, the canoe-launch directions run from I-20 via TX-360 South to Ragland Road; park staff at the gatehouse direct visitors to the launch.
What should you check before visiting?
Cedar Hill State Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Day-use admission is $7 per adult, overnight admission is $5 per adult daily, and children 12 and under enter free. Loyd Park’s paddling-trail entrance fees are $20 per vehicle per day for up to six people, or $125 for an annual pass.
TPWD says Cedar Hill State Park often reaches capacity and recommends reserving day-use passes or camping in advance to guarantee entry. The park has 350 developed campsites near restrooms with hot showers; all sites have water and electricity, 150 have sewer hookups, and several are ADA-accessible.
If you plan to use Cedar Hill State Park’s DORBA trail, note that it closes when wet. TPWD advises calling ahead about trail status. Check the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s official site before you go for current park details and fees.
Joe Pool Lake is about 3.5 miles from Comfort Inn & Suites Cedar Hill Duncanville, which offers guest rooms.
Choosing an access point from Cedar Hill
Start with the activity: Cedar Hill State Park combines a beach, ramps and park facilities, while Loyd Park is the access point for the canoe launch and paddling route. For boat launching, compare the ramp and parking details above, and check the chosen park’s current entry requirements before setting out.
For more on local transport and getting between Cedar Hill destinations, getting around Cedar Hill covers the town’s visitor logistics.
FAQs
Where is Joe Pool Lake?
The lake spans Dallas, Ellis and Tarrant Counties, about four miles south of Grand Prairie on Mountain Creek, a tributary of the Trinity River.
Can you swim at Cedar Hill State Park?
Yes. The park has a gravel swimming beach. Swimming is not permitted near the boat ramps at Cedar Hill State Park or Britton Park.
Is there a paddling trail at Joe Pool Lake?
Yes. The Joe Pool Lake and Walnut Creek paddling trail is 4.9 miles long, with a canoe launch at Loyd Park. The trip from the launch to the TX-360 bridge and back is about five miles.
Does Cedar Hill State Park require advance planning?
TPWD says the park often reaches capacity and recommends reserving day-use passes or camping in advance to guarantee entry.