Living in Shady Shores, Texas
Shady Shores
A Lewisville Lake town that began as a 1920s fishing camp.
What it's like
The short version
Shady Shores is a Denton County town of about 3,000 on the northern shore of Lewisville Lake, just south of Denton, covering about 3.1 square miles. It began in the mid-1920s as a fishing camp of about ten cabins and incorporated in 1960. The town has no stoplights or convenience stores.
What's for sale
Neighborhoods include Cielo Ranch, and Lakeshore Bluffs is a 54-home subdivision with sidewalks and green space.
What it does well
Strong here
- Quiet, small-town pace●●●
Under 3,000 people and no stoplights. - Lake days●●○
The town sits on the northern shore of Lewisville Lake. - Established neighborhoods●●○
Began as a mid-1920s fishing camp and incorporated in 1960.
The honest part
What to know first
- The town's budget describes it as landlocked with no future growth.
- The town has no convenience stores.
- One Shady Shores address scores 4 on Walk Score.
- DCTA's service page names Denton, Lewisville, Highland Village and Frisco, not Shady Shores.
Not its strength: walkable, shopping, parks and trails, new construction.
Not rated yet: transit options, vibrant, big-city energy, a real downtown, restaurants, nightlife, golf, land and acreage, horses welcome, luxury homes. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.
Get outside
- Town Hall Walking Track and Demonstration Gardens
A walking track and gardens at Town Hall. - Shady Lane Parklet
A parklet on Shady Lane. - Big Sandy Park and Boat Ramp
A park and boat ramp near West Shady Shores Road. - Lewisville Lake
The town sits on the lake's northern shore.
On the calendar
- Hoot and Holler
A fall community market and chili cook-off at the Shady Shores Community Center, with local vendors and a People's Choice award. - Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
A holiday tree lighting with cookies and cocoa. - Shady Shores Twinkle Tour
A holiday lights tour. - Community Garage Sale
A community garage sale in the fall.
Taxes
2025 combined rate per $100 with Denton ISD: town 0.290476, Denton ISD 1.206900, Denton County 0.185938. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.
Denton ISD serves most of the town. Lake Dallas ISD serves a small subdivision off Dobbs Road and the back half of Cielo Ranch, which brings the 2025 combined rate to 1.731614 with Lake Dallas ISD at 1.255200. Check the unit list on the address.
School facts
- Denton ISD: TEA rating C, 2026
- Lake Dallas ISD: TEA rating B, 2026
Take it with you
Want this on paper?
Get the printable Shady Shores report sent to your email.
Sources
- 2026 NCTCOG Population Estimates
- Republic Title: 2025 DFW Area Tax Rates
- Cross Timbers Gazette: Argyle ISD leads southern Denton County in TEA Accountability Ratings
- Texas Tribune Schools Explorer: Lake Dallas ISD
- Town of Shady Shores: History
- Town of Shady Shores: Annual Budget 2025/2026
- Town of Shady Shores: Community Events
- Town of Shady Shores: Hoot and Holler
- Walk Score: 401 West Shady Shores Road
- DCTA: Service Area
- Wikipedia: Shady Shores, Texas