Paddling Lake Lewisville: A New Perspective on a North Texas Icon
It’s easy to view Lake Lewisville through a single lens: speedboats, jet skis, and busy marinas. But to truly understand this 29,000-acre reservoir, you have to change your vantage point.
Little Elm nature photographer and semi-retired staff member of Cottonwood Creek Marina, Mark Bippus, encourages ditching the speed of powerboats for the serenity of canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards. While the switch may feel like reducing yourself to a small fish in a big pond, you may be surprised by what you can discover by going slower, yet further.
“Years ago, we canoed from the Ray Roberts dam down to Lewisville,” Bippus recalls. That classic route along the Elm Fork remains a staple for local adventurers. Since then, his time at Cottonwood Creek Marina has allowed him to explore the lesser-known parts of the watershed, including two distinct Lake Lewisville tributaries: Panther Creek and Cottonwood Creek.
The Pristine Escape: Panther Creek
Source: Google Maps (no date). Note: map annotated by author using Adobe Premier.
Located off the far northeastern arm of Lake Lewisville, Panther Creek feels distinctly rural compared to the Dallas metropolitan hustle. Because it is situated further north, away from the heavy boat traffic of the main body, the waters here remain remarkably pristine.
Source: Google Maps (no date). Note: map annotated by author using Adobe Premier.
To access Panther Creek, Bippus recommends launching from the docks of Cottonwood Creek Marina. From there, you can navigate around the protective peninsula and head up toward the headwaters. As the lake narrows, you will find yourself surrounded by old ranch land that hints at the area’s wild history.
Where the Trail Meets the Water: Cottonwood Creek
Source: Littleelm.gov
Closer to the heart of Little Elm, Cottonwood Creek offers a different kind of adventure. The best way to navigate this area is to utilize the Little Elm Lakefront Trail, an approximately four-mile crushed granite trail linking Hula Hut/Hydrous to McCord Park. Tender Smokehouse serves as its southern terminus, making it the perfect “paddle and BBQ” day trip.
Bippus suggests parking near the Sunflower Drive-Highway 423 intersection and riding bikes along the creek to scout entry points. From there, you can explore the Cottonwood Nature Trail, a 1.5-mile rustic path that offers multiple lake access points through a heavily canopied forest.
Source: Google Maps (no date). Note: map annotated by author using Adobe Premier.
Lake Lewisville is more than a boater’s paradise–it is a vast network of creeks and quiet coves waiting to be explored by canoe, kayak, or paddleboard. Whether you are seeking the clear, remote waters of Panther Creek or the trail-linked waters of Cottonwood Creek, the lake offers a sanctuary for those willing to slow down.
Further, check out the TPWD Paddling Trails Website for maps and official trail information across the Lone Star State.
Want to paddle but don’t have the equipment yet? Not a problem. Our crew at Cottonwood Creek Marina is ready to get you set up on a single or double Malibu Kayak. Book your rental here or give us a call at 972-292-1100.
Visit and Contact Cottonwood Creek Marina
Do you have questions? Call, email, or text our office and General Manager Ryan or another team member will be glad to help. Better yet, stop by to walk the docks. We’ll show you all the reasons why it’s so hard to leave.