White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake is a reservoir in northeast Dallas County, Texas, that winds through residential neighborhoods and serves as a recreational area. The water is surrounded by a trail that passes through parkland with mature trees and open meadows along the shore.

Construction started in 1910 to address water shortages in Dallas and was completed in 1911. For decades it supplied drinking water to the city until shifting to primarily recreational use in the mid-20th century.

The name comes from white limestone rocks that once dotted the shoreline. Today you see sailboats on the water and anglers along the banks, while families gather on the lawns for picnics.

A trail of about 9 miles circles the shore and is open to walkers, runners, and cyclists. Access is available from several parking areas along the waterfront roads, with shaded sections under trees offering relief on hot days.

At Winfrey Point a camp of the Civilian Conservation Corps formed in the 1930s to help develop the shoreline. Workers built paths and planted trees whose canopies now shade much of the park.