Lake beaches near Dallas for kids

Dallas is five hours from the ocean, but it's surrounded by big reservoirs, and the handful with real sand are a lifesaver in summer. The water is murkier than the sea and there are no waves, which little kids actually prefer; most have no lifeguards, so bring your own life jackets.

Closest to the northern suburbs is Lewisville Lake: Little Elm Beach has sand, lifeguards and a playground, and Hidden Cove in Frisco is shadier and quieter. West on Grapevine Lake, Meadowmere Park sits under big trees with sailboats and airplanes to watch. An hour north, the Isle du Bois unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park has the best white-sand beach in DFW, and to the southwest the swim beach at Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake is shallow. For cool spring water, Burgers Lake in Fort Worth has sand, slides and picnic tables under the trees.

• 6 places
• 2 free
• 2 stroller-friendly
• closest is 30 min away