Lake Whitney

Lake Whitney is a large reservoir in central Texas spanning Hill County and Bosque County. The reservoir sits on the Brazos River and is surrounded by wooded shores that give way to rolling hills and rocky bluffs.

The dam took shape between 1948 and 1951 after designs by the US Army Corps of Engineers to prevent flooding in the Brazos Valley. The reservoir filled after completion and submerged farmland and small settlements along the river.

The Texas State Park Service oversees several public swimming beaches and boat ramps that draw families from nearby towns on weekends. The shoreline attracts people who fish for bass and catfish, carrying on the angling traditions of the Brazos River in this region.

Ten parks along the shoreline provide access to different stretches of the waterfront with facilities for camping, swimming, and walking trails. Reaching individual access points works best by car, as public transport options are limited.

The McCown Valley Equestrian Area offers a riding route of about 12.5 miles (20 kilometers) that winds through hilly terrain beside the water. This trail is one of the few in the Texas state park system specifically laid out for horseback riders.

Location: Hill County

Location: Bosque County

Inception: 1954

Elevation above the sea: 161 m

GPS coordinates: 31.86690,-97.37080

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:30