Living in Lake Dallas, Texas
Lake Dallas
Willow Grove campsites, a boat launch and five city parks on Lewisville Lake.
What it's like
The short version
Lake Dallas is a Denton County city on the shores of Lewisville Lake, about ten miles south of Denton. The site was occupied in 1852, was called French Settlement and then Garza, and took its lake name after the first Lake Dallas was impounded. Five city parks cover over 100 acres, and a toll bridge crosses the lake to Little Elm.
What's for sale
Homes sold at a median near $355,000 in June 2026. The city covers 2.43 square miles of land along Lewisville Lake. A fee on residential building permits supports its park improvement fund.
What it does well
Strong here
- Lake days●●●
The city sits on Lewisville Lake, and Willow Grove Park has a boat launch, swimming area and lakeside camping. - Quiet, small-town pace●●○
About 7,850 people. - Parks and trails●●○
Five city parks cover over 100 acres. - Established neighborhoods●●○
The site was occupied in 1852, was organized as Garza in 1881 and incorporated in 1965.
The honest part
What to know first
- The city rate rose from 0.518852 to 0.559711 for 2025, driven by road bonds.
- One Lake Dallas address, on Swisher Road, scores 4 on Walk Score.
- DCTA's A-train stations sit in Denton, Lewisville and Carrollton, not Lake Dallas.
Not its strength: walkable, vibrant, big-city energy, a real downtown, land and acreage, luxury homes.
Not rated yet: transit options, restaurants, nightlife, shopping, golf, horses welcome, new construction. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Willow Grove Park
A lakeside city park with a boat launch, swimming area, trails, playground, pavilion, shower house, 15 RV campsites and 15 primitive sites. - River Oaks Park
33 acres with walking trails, a reflection pond, sand volleyball, a basketball court and Holmstrom Field. - City Park
A pavilion, soccer field, tennis court, basketball court, play area and Veterans Memorial. - Thousand Oaks Park
About 10.2 acres of woodland with fishing, a wildlife pond and a walking track. - Community Park
A quiet spot behind the Lake Cities Library with picnic tables and a playground.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 with Lake Dallas ISD: city 0.559711, Lake Dallas ISD 1.255200, Denton County 0.185938. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
The city rate includes 0.103464 for debt, which rose after $7 million in road bonds. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Lake Dallas ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Lake Dallas report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Republic Title: 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Lake Dallas ISD
- City of Lake Dallas: Willow Grove Park
- Independence Title: Discover Lake Dallas
- City of Lake Dallas: FY 2025-2026 Annual Program of Services
- Walk Score: 501 Swisher Road, Lake Dallas
- DCTA: A-train station locations
- Wikipedia: Lake Dallas, Texas
- City of Lake Dallas: Community Development Corporation
- City of Lake Dallas: History
- Redfin: Lake Dallas Market