Quick Answer: Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters comes down to two city parks and one marina on the west shore. John Paul Jones Park has a free four-lane boat ramp, parking for up to 50 vehicles, and is open all year. Windsurf Bay Park is closed on weekends and holidays, and Garland does not allow swimming from its shoreline.
Hickory Apartments is on South Jupiter Road in west Garland, serving renters across Garland, TX who want a lake day without a long drive. This guide to Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters covers where to park and which rules catch first-time visitors off guard. Most of those rules involve one park.
What Is Lake Ray Hubbard TX, and Who Runs It?
Lake Ray Hubbard TX is a reservoir on the East Fork of the Trinity River, built by the City of Dallas in 1968 for water supply and recreation. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists it at 21,671 acres with a maximum depth of 40 feet. Garland, Rowlett, Rockwall and Heath each run their own shoreline parks.
That split matters. Dallas owns and operates the lake, and each city sets the hours for its own park, so the rules can change when you cross a city line. One rule is the same everywhere: Texas Parks and Wildlife says there is no camping around the lake.
How far is the lake from west Garland?
The short version of Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters: the lake is on the far east side of the city, and Hickory is on the west. From 320 South Jupiter Road, John Paul Jones Park is roughly 8 miles away in a straight line and a little more by road. State directions start from I-30. Take Chaha Road north to Zion Road, then turn left. Our map and directions page shows where the community is before you plan the route.
Which Lake Ray Hubbard Parks Are Closest to Garland?
Two city parks and one private marina are on the Garland shoreline. John Paul Jones Park at 4099 Zion Road is the everyday pick because it is open all year and charges no fee. Windsurf Bay Park has more open lawn but far shorter hours. Captain's Cove Marina charges a launch fee.
| Access point | City | Parking | Fee | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Paul Jones Park | Garland | Up to 50 vehicles | No fee | Bank fishing, four-lane boat ramp |
| Windsurf Bay Park | Garland | Park lot on site | No fee | Weekday picnics and lake views |
| Captain's Cove Marina | Garland | Up to 50 vehicles | Launch fee | Four-lane ramp at a private marina |
| Sapphire Bay | Rowlett | About 50 vehicles | No fee | Two-lane ramp with courtesy docks |
| State Highway 66 Ramp | Rockwall | Up to 40 vehicles | No fee | Launching north of I-30 |
Source: the Texas Parks and Wildlife public access listing for the lake, checked in October 2026. For Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters with a boat, parking is the real limit. No ramp on this list holds more than about 50 vehicles.
Windsurf Bay Park hours and parking
Windsurf Bay Park, at 5556 Locust Grove Road, covers 42 acres of shoreline with a pavilion and a playground. It is also the park most likely to be closed when you arrive. In July 2021 the Garland City Council decided to close it on weekends and holidays, after police estimated holiday crowds of about 8,000 people at a park with one way in and out. Current listings show it open Monday through Thursday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday until noon.
Don't plan a Saturday cookout here. Neighbors also complained about visitors parking on nearby streets, so use the park lot.
Ray Hubbard Lake Fishing, Boat Ramps and Places to Eat
Ray Hubbard Lake fishing is best known for hybrid striped bass and blue catfish, which Texas Parks and Wildlife calls the most abundant sportfish in the lake in recent years. White bass, channel catfish and white crappie are also rated good. Anyone 17 or older needs a Texas fishing license, and the resident freshwater package costs $30.
For Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters who fish from the bank, start with the rock riprap where roads cross the water. The agency's lake profile also points to the heated discharge area on the west side, south of I-30. John Paul Jones Park has a fishing pier and a lakeside walking trail, and Bass Pro Shops is across the street if you forget bait. One change to know: since August 2026, buyers 17 and older have to show valid ID to purchase a license.
Choosing a Lake Ray Hubbard marina
Captain's Cove, the Lake Ray Hubbard marina inside Garland at 5965 Marina Drive, charges a launch fee. The ramp at John Paul Jones Park is the cheaper start. Sapphire Bay in Rowlett is another option with no launch fee.
Lake Hubbard restaurants and the Rockwall side
The best-known cluster of Lake Hubbard restaurants is The Harbor in Rockwall, across the I-30 bridge from Garland. The City of Rockwall describes it as a place for waterfront views and dining, and it hosts free Thursday concerts in summer.
People who search for Lake Hubbard Rockwall Texas are usually looking for that east shore. It has its own launch points too, including Harbor Bay Marina.
Is the Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center near the water?
Not really, and the name confuses people. The Lake Ray Hubbard Transit Center is a DART bus hub at 6151 Duck Creek Drive, roughly 3 miles west of the shoreline. DART lists 657 free parking spaces there. Routes 212 and 224 stop at its bays, and GoLink on-demand rides cover the surrounding zone. It works for a commute toward downtown Dallas. It won't drop you at a park, so riders without a car should confirm that the GoLink zone reaches the park they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Lake Ray Hubbard swimming allowed from Garland parks?
Garland treats Windsurf Bay Park as a no-swimming shoreline and has used fencing to block water access during busy periods. No designated swim beach is listed for either Garland lake park. Sources disagree about swimming elsewhere on the lake, so follow the signs posted at each park and call the park office if nothing is posted.
2. What is the Lake Ray Hubbard water level right now?
As of October 9, 2026, Water Data for Texas showed the lake at 432.41 feet, about 3.1 feet below its conservation pool of 435.5 feet and 85.9 percent full. Texas Parks and Wildlife puts normal fluctuation at 1 to 3 feet. Rockwall closed its State Highway 66 ramp during a past drought, so check before you tow a boat.
3. Where can I launch a boat for free at Lake Ray Hubbard?
Texas Parks and Wildlife lists no fee at these four ramps:
- John Paul Jones Park in Garland, up to 50 vehicles
- Sapphire Bay in Rowlett, about 50 vehicles
- State Highway 66 Ramp in Rockwall, up to 40 vehicles
- Terry Park in Heath, 30 vehicles
4. Can I camp overnight at Lake Ray Hubbard?
No. Texas Parks and Wildlife states there is no camping around Lake Ray Hubbard, and Garland's lake parks close at night. Robertson Park, a large day-use area on the lake, has bank fishing and two boat ramps. For an overnight trip, Lavon Lake north of Garland has campgrounds.
5. Is John Paul Jones Park open on weekends?
Yes. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists the park as open all year, which makes it the weekend pick in any plan for Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters. Windsurf Bay Park is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Hours can change around holidays, so call Garland Parks at (972) 205-2750 to confirm before you load the car.
Planning Your Lake Day From Garland
Lake Ray Hubbard for Garland Renters works best with one default plan. Use John Paul Jones Park on weekends and save Windsurf Bay Park for a weekday picnic. Check the water level before you hitch a trailer.
Still choosing where to live in Garland, TX? Compare the one and two bedroom floor plans at Hickory Apartments, or take the photo tour first.
