Lake Ray Hubbard is a 22,745-acre reservoir on the East Fork of the Trinity River, and Rowlett sits on its northern and western shores. Here's every way to access the lake from Rowlett, with the details you actually need.
Boat ramps:
Paddle Point Park Boat Ramp
- Location: 4300 Rowlett Rd, Rowlett (GPS: 32.8975, -96.5368)
- Type: Concrete ramp, 2 lanes
- Parking: ~40 truck/trailer spots. Fills up by 9 AM on weekends April-October. Get there early or don't bother.
- Fee: Free for Rowlett residents (with proof of residency), $10/day for non-residents
- Condition: Good. Recently resurfaced. Ramp grade is moderate — fine for most boats.
- Notes: Kayak/paddleboard launch area adjacent to the ramp. Restrooms on-site. Porta-potties when restrooms are closed.
Pecan Grove Park Boat Ramp
- Location: Off Dalrock Rd, south of PGBT
- Type: Concrete ramp, 1 lane
- Parking: ~20 spots. Limited. Not ideal for busy weekends.
- Fee: Same as Paddle Point
- Condition: Adequate but narrower than Paddle Point. Better for smaller boats.
- Notes: Less crowded than Paddle Point because of limited parking. Good for weekday launches.
Kayak and paddleboard launch points:
- Paddle Point Park — designated kayak/SUP launch with gentle grade into the water. The most popular non-motorized launch in Rowlett.
- Bayside promenade area — unofficial but commonly used. Carry-in access to calm water near the Sapphire Bay shore.
- Waterview community — residents-only access through the neighborhood marina area.
Parks with lake access (no boat ramp):
- Paddle Point Park — the main lakefront park. Fishing pier, playground, picnic areas, trails, kayak launch. This is Rowlett's crown jewel park.
- Pecan Grove Park — smaller, quieter. Fishing access, picnic tables, shade trees. Good for a low-key afternoon.
- Lakeside Park — trail access to lake views, fishing spots along the shore.
Fishing piers and shore access:
- The fishing pier at Paddle Point is the best shore-fishing structure in Rowlett. It extends ~100 feet into the lake and has shade covers.
- Shore fishing is available at multiple points along the north and west shores. The areas near the PGBT bridge supports are popular (accessible from Bayside area).
Marina and boat storage:
- Chandler's Landing Marina (technically in Rockwall but accessed from the lake) — full-service marina, boat slips, fuel dock.
- Waterview Marina — private, Waterview residents only.
- Multiple dry-stack storage facilities in the Rowlett/Rockwall area for boats and jet skis.
Rules:
- Texas Parks and Wildlife regulations apply. Fishing license required for anyone 17+.
- No wake zones near marinas and shore areas. Buoys mark the zones.
- Life jackets required for all children under 13 on boats.
- Lake Ray Hubbard is a public water supply reservoir. No contact with water within 200 feet of the intake structure (located on the south side, away from Rowlett).
Sources:
- City of Rowlett Parks Department — park amenities and fees
- Texas Parks and Wildlife — Lake Ray Hubbard information
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers — lake management data
The Bayside kayak launch is unofficial but well-used. I've never had any issues accessing the water there. The water on that side is calmer because it's more protected from the open lake wind.