Carrollton weatherWhat’s on in Carrollton →Events →

Get out of town

Day trips from Carrollton

12 nearby parks, towns and places to explore, ordered by straight-line distance.

Things to do

Dallas Museum of Art

15 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (20 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Art museum in Dallas, Texas.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Things to do

Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

15 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (20 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Museum dedicated to John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, U.S.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Things to do

Six Flags Over Texas

19 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (23 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Amusement park.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

McKinney

21 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 30 min by car (29 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City and a county seat in Collin County, Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

Wylie

22 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 30 min by car (29 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Collin County, Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

Duncanville

24 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (29 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in Dallas County, Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

Arlington

24 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (30 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Suburban city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Town

Rockwall

26 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 35 min by car (34 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

City in and county seat of Rockwall County, Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

State park

Cedar Hill State Park

27 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 10 min by car (35 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

State park in Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

State park

Lake Tawakoni State Park

53 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 30 min by car (78 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

State park in Texas, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

State park

Dinosaur Valley State Park

74 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (97 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

State park of a state of the United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Outdoors

Turner Falls

100 miles north · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 50 min by car (117 road miles, typical traffic, checked October 2026)

Waterfall in Oklahoma, United States.

Confirm the visitor entrance, hours, reservations, access and seasonal conditions. Islands or water destinations may require different transport.

Driving times are typical estimates from the city center without live traffic, Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Distances are straight-line measurements from the city, not driving distance. Saved road estimates have no consistently recorded source date and are not current traffic; estimates to park centers, water locations or inconsistent routes are omitted. Named-destination route links are not verified entrances. Place descriptions come from Wikidata; photo credits below include recorded capture dates when available. A photograph does not show current conditions.

Outdoor places near Carrollton

40 recreation areas and campgrounds within 135 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

Grapevine Lake

9 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Centrally located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex just minutes from DFW Airport, Grapevine Lake offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education

Recreation area

Lewisville Lake

9 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Just north of Dallas, popular Lewisville Lake is a 29,592 acre lake with unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities. Over 20 parks surround the lake and offer camping, hiking, picnicking, horseback riding, boating, and golf.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Campground

Westlake Day Use

10 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (16 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Westlake features four group shelters on Lewisville Lake, where visitors can spend a day picnicking or boating on the almost 30,000-acre reservoir, just outside the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

CampingFishingSwimming

Campground

Hickory Creek (TX)

11 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (17 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Hickory Creek sits on the extremely popular Lewisville Lake near Dallas, Texas. The almost 30,000-acre reservoir attracts a fair amount of visitors in summer months with warm water temperatures and excellent fishing opportunities.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingWater Access

Campground

Murrell Park

11 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 25 min by car (16 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Murrell Park offers day use facilities, boat ramp access and primitive camping on scenic Grapevine Lake, in the middle of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex in Texas.

BoatingCampingCanoeingFishingHikingJet SkiingKayakingMountain Biking

Campground

East Fork (Tx)

23 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (32 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

East Fork Campground, on the southern shores of Lavon Lake, is a popular escape for city dwellers in the Dallas, Texas area or for any visitors passing through the Northern Texas region.

BoatingCampingFishing

Campground

Hackberry Pavilion

23 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 40 min by car (33 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Hackberry Pavilion is an excellent place for visitors to spend the day at Lavon Lake, enjoying the beach, picnicking and boating. Recreation Lavon Lake's most common fish include the largemouth bass, white bass, blue catfish and crappie.

CampingFishingSwimming

Recreation area

Lavon Lake

24 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in nearby McKinney features natural history exhibits and nature trails.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Campground

Clear Lake (Tx)

25 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 45 min by car (36 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Clear Lake Campground has a prime location on the shores of Lavon Lake. It is the only shaded campground at the lake, and provides a quiet space for anglers, bird watchers and photographers.

BoatingCamping

Recreation area

Joe Pool Lake

26 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Joe Pool Lake is a 7,400-acre impoundment located in the southern portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned

Campground

Lavonia

27 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 45 min by car (37 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Lavonia Campground is a scenic Texas getaway just beyond the Dallas metropolitan area. Visitors can camp, swim, fish, boat or use the day use area.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimming

Recreation area

Ray Roberts Lake

27 miles north · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

This 29,350-acre rural lake is just a few minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex and is a great place to get away from city life.

BoatingCampingFishingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Campground

Lakeland Pavilion

28 miles east · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (44 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Lakeland Pavilion is a pleasant picnic pavilion and large group campground accommodating up to 500 visitors for picnicking, boating and fishing on Lavon Lake.

BoatingCampingFishingSwimmingWater sports

Recreation area

Benbrook Lake

39 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Benbrook Lake is located in the scenic open countryside of rolling hills and prairie meadows southwest of Fort Worth, Texas.

BoatingCampingFishingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

Longhorn

39 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 50 min by car (50 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Longhorn Park Picnic Area overlooks Benbrook Lake & Dam in north-central Texas, easiley accessible from the Chisholm Trail Parkway and southwest Fort Worth.

BirdingBoatingCampingFishingPicnicking

Campground

North Holiday Park

41 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (58 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Holiday Park dayuse area (North Holiday Park) is on the west side of Benbrook Lake in north central Texas, accessible from US Hwy 377.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingPicnickingSwimmingWildlife viewing

Campground

Rocky Creek Park (Benbrook Lake)

42 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 55 min by car (51 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Rocky Creek Park is on the east side of Benbrook Lake in north central Texas, accessible form Granbury Road or McPherson Road. Day Use picnicking, hiking & horseback trails, and fishing are available.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingWildlife viewing

Campground

Holiday (Texas)

43 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 5 min by car (62 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Holiday Park campground is on the west side of Benbrook Lake in north central Texas and accessible from US Hwy 377. Camping, hiking & horseback trails, boat launch, fishing & wildlife viewing are available.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingWildlife viewing

Campground

Mustang

43 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (58 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Mustang Park is a spacious dayuse area on the south side of Benbrook Lake in north-central Texas, accessible from WInscott Plover Road. Swimming, picnicking, fishing, boat launching, and wildlife viewing are available.

BoatingCampingFishingPicnickingSwimming

Campground

Bear Creek

44 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 5 min by car (64 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Bear Creek Campground is on the south side of Benbrook Lake in north central Texas, accessible from Ben Day Murrin Road. Individual & group camping, along with boat launching, is available.

BoatingCampingFishingWildlife viewing

Campground

Mustang - Bear Creek Campground

44 miles southwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (60 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

This recreation area is part of Benbrook Lake

BoatingCampingWater sports

Campground

Valley View Group Use

49 miles northwest · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr 35 min by car (71 road miles, checked October 2026)USDA Forest Service

This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site.

BoatingCampingCanoeingJet SkiingMotor BoatNon-Motorized BoatingPaddle BoatingPaddling

Recreation area

Bardwell Lake

52 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Bardwell Lake is located in the Blackland Prairie region of southwestern Ellis County. Built in 1965 for flood control by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Lake is located two miles southwest of Ennis off of State Highway 34.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge

53 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1946 to provide habitat for migratory birds, wildlife, and plants native to the area. The 11,320-acre refuge is an overlay of the Big Mineral Arm of Lake Texoma.

BikingBirdingBoatingFishingHikingHuntingMotor BoatNature education

Recreation area

Lake Texoma

61 miles north · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers invites you to visit Lake Texoma, the largest lake in capacity in the Tulsa District and the twelfth largest in the United States.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationOff-highway vehicles

Recreation area

Navarro Mills Lake

73 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingKayakingPicnickingSwimmingWater sports

Recreation area

Aquilla Lake

76 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

This 3,280-acre lake is located on Aquilla and Hackberry Creeks.

BoatingFishingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Cooper Lake

77 miles east · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

When complete, will impound the South Sulphur River in Delta and Hopkins Counties.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnicking

Recreation area

Whitney Lake

83 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedPicnicking

Recreation area

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge

85 miles north · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 560 national wildlife refuges that form a network of United States lands and waters managed specifically for wildlife.

BikingBirdingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingMotor Boat

Recreation area

Pat Mayse Lake

98 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Pat Mayse Lake is located in the Red River Basin in Lamar County, Texas. The damsite is on Sanders Creek (a tributary of the Red River) approximately one mile south of the town of Chicota, four miles northwest of Powderly and twelve miles…

BoatingCampingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Waco Lake

98 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature educationPicnickingWater sports

Recreation area

Arbuckle Lake

100 miles north · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

Lake of the Arbuckles is forned by Arbuckle Dam which is a feature of the Arbuckle Project . The lake is located at the confluence of the Buckhorn, Guy Sandy, and Rock Creeks.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingPicnickingRecreational VehiclesWater sports

Recreation area

Chickasaw National Recreation Area

102 miles north · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

Springs, streams, lakes - whatever its form, water is the attraction at Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingPaddling

Recreation area

McGee Creek Reservoir

109 miles northeast · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

McGee Creek Dam and Reservoir project includes water conveyance facilities, public recreation facilities, a wildlife management area, and a natural scenic recreation area.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHuntingPicnicking

Recreation area

Waurika Lake

109 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers wishes you an enjoyable stay at the project. The lake offers the visitor extensive opportunities for a memorable outdoor recreation experience.

BoatingCampingFishingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Hugo Lake

113 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation manages over 18,000 acres of land and water, which is open to hunting along with an additional 8,000 acres managed by the Corps.

BoatingCampingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Proctor Lake

117 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Located in historic territory of the Comanche Indians, Proctor Lake offers a wide variety of activities both on and off the water.

BoatingCampingFishingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Pine Creek Lake

127 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Pine Creek Dam is located on Little River, approximately eight miles north of Valiant in McCurtain County, Oklahoma. The lake extends into Choctaw and Pushmataha Counties.

BoatingCampingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Belton Lake

135 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 18, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

What day-trip ideas are near Carrollton?

This guide includes Dallas Museum of Art, Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Six Flags Over Texas, McKinney, Wylie. Places are ordered by straight-line distance. Confirm visitor access, opening hours and current travel conditions before choosing a trip.

How far is Dallas Museum of Art from Carrollton?

Approximately 15 miles south in a straight line; driving takes about 25 min over 20 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

How far is Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza from Carrollton?

Approximately 15 miles south in a straight line; driving takes about 25 min over 20 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

How far is Six Flags Over Texas from Carrollton?

Approximately 19 miles southwest in a straight line; driving takes about 25 min over 23 road miles in typical traffic (Geoapify, checked October 2026). This is not current traffic or a route to a verified visitor entrance. Use the named destination and confirm the appropriate entrance or transport.

Where can I camp near Carrollton?

Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds within 49 miles, including Westlake Day Use (10 miles northwest), Hickory Creek (TX) (11 miles northwest), Murrell Park (11 miles west). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

Carrollton AI

Your Carrollton local guide
Hey there!

I'm Carrollton AI. Ask about neighborhood food, independent shops, local history or planning a visit.

AI recommendations may be inaccurate. Verify hours and prices. Questions are processed by Cloudflare. Privacy