Toledo Bend Lake is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year. Located in the pines on the Texas / Louisiana state line, it is one of the largest reservoirs in the South.
Introduction to Toledo Bend Lake
Toledo Bend Lake is a reservoir located between Texas and Louisiana. The reservoir is found on the Sabine River and is known as the largest man made body of water in Louisiana.
The water dam is located in the NE corner of Newton County, Texas. Although, the reservoir extends into the following counties of Louisiana: Sabine, Panola, and Shelby. The reservoir is controlled by Sabine River Authority in Burkeville, Texas.
Toledo Bend Lake holds a maximum length of sixty-five miles and maximum width of ten miles. Surface area is approximately 185 thousand acres with water volume close to 4.5 million acre feet.
The surface elevation of Toledo Bend Lake is one-hundred-seventy feet. The shore length is over one-hundred-fifty feet. The maximum depth of the lake is a smidge over one-hundred feet.
Toledo Bend Lake is approximately 3.5 hours from Houston; and 4 hours from Dallas, Texas. The lake is around 3.75 hours from Baton Rouge; and 5 hours from New Orleans, Louisiana.
Learn where to go hiking or biking at Toledo Bend Lake. Browse through places to go, horseback riding, and other family entertainment options. Enjoy golfing near Toledo Bend Lake and eating unique foods offered near the lake. Shop at some of the best businesses as well as visit nearby attractions.
History of Toledo Bend Lake
Construction began in May 1964 on Toledo Bend Dam along with the spillway and power plant additions. The construction was created to help with water supply to the area, power generation as well as community recreation. The construction is the only one undertaken without government financing.
Toledo Bend Fishing
Toledo Bend Lake floor is mainly covered with non-native plants. Although, there are some native aquatic plants which have been established.
Toledo Bend Lake offers variety for fishing various species. Fishing populations include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, white bass, and striped bass. Historical stocking of the lake includes Florida largemouth bass, ShareLunker largemouth, striped bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and paddlefish.
Fishing for Largemouth bass and sunfish is considered excellent. Fishing for catfish, crappie, and striped bass is good. While fishing for white bass in Toledo Bend Lake is fair. Bluegill and sunfish are highly prevalent and provide excellent fishing opportunities for the young or new anglers.
Anglers find excellent success when fishing for Largemouth bass during the Fall, Winter, and Spring seasons. Crappie fishing is good throughout the year with the use of jigs and minnows. Catfish are caught throughout the year using a variety of angling methods.
Experienced Fishing Guides for Toledo Bend Lake include Hook Em Up which offers guidance for bass fishing and crappie fishing. Another experienced fishing guide for Toledo Bend Lake is Robinson's Lodge and Guide Service. Robinson’s also offers fishing guidance for bass and crappie fishing.
Toledo Bend Boating Info
Toledo Bend Lake offers marina services including Big Bass Marina, Holly Park Marina, Huxley Bay Marina, and Paradise Point Park. Big Bass has items for everyone including boat stall rentals, fishing baits, a restaurant, RV hookups, fishing gear and more.
Holly Park Marina offers visitors lodging, camping, covered boat stalls, hot showers, and recreational needs. Huxley Bay Marina provides RV camping, recreation opportunities, a restaurant along with other boating services. Paradise Point Park provides boat slips, playground, and RV park.
Explore your options on our Toledo Bend Marinas page.
Rental Cabins Near Toledo Bend Lake
Toledo Bend Lake offers a variety of rental cabins to individuals and families who desire a weekend stay (or longer). The lake area offers a nice selection of cabin rentals, lakeside homes, studio rooms, and bungalows. Toledo Bend Lake lodging details are available on the Toledo Bend rentals, Cabins, & Lodging page.
Toledo Bend Camping Resources
Camping locations at Toledo Bend Lake offer a variety of places to park your RV or set up your tent camp. RV camping resorts include Byrd’s Nest RV Park, Paradise Point RV, Toledo Bend RV Resort, Shady Oaks RV Park, Happy Trails RV Park, and Tranquility Bay Resort.
Tent camping destinations are available at Indian Mounds Campground, Bean's VIP Campground, and South Toledo Bend State Park Campground. For additional Toledo Bend Lake RV & tent camping locations, please visit our Toledo Bend Camping & RV Parks page.
Hiking & Riding Near Toledo Bend Lake
Hiking near Toledo Bend Lake provides opportunities to enjoy seeing nature and wildlife surroundings. A number of places are available to enjoy hiking and walking in the area.
South Toledo Bend State Park provides a nature trail which is surfaced near the visitor center, known as Lakeview Trail. In the same area, hikers will enjoy the Eagle Nest and Hippie Point Hiking trails.
Sabine National Forest, a popular destination near Toledo Bend Lake, includes a twenty-eight mile trail which is excellent for hikers, bikers, walkers, and joggers. Visitors enjoy the trees, blossoms, changing leaves, and natural wildlife.
Horseback riding is another delightful opportunity offered near Toledo Bend Lake. Ahtus Medler Equestrian Camp is located at Kisatchie National Forest and offers camping with horses on the Louisiana side. This location offers riding on forest roads and historical logging trails.
On the Texas side of Toledo Bend Lake, there are a number of places to ride horseback. Circle H Bar Ranch is located in De Berry. The ranch offers equine instruction and trained trail performance. Native Rose Farm offers quality boarding, training, and lessons in a beautiful setting of Broaddus, Texas.
Things To Do at Toledo Bend Lake
While visiting Toledo Bend Lake, you will find plenty of things to do. For the golf admirer, you will find golf courses to play. There are plenty of dining locations available near the lake for those who enjoy an assortment of food selections.
Shopping experiences near Toledo Bend Lake are pleasurable, incomparable, and congenial. Nearby cities offer down-home greetings to those visiting the area. And, there are attractions, including historical locations, museums, and recreation to enjoy.
Toledo Bend Golf Courses
Two golf courses are located near Toledo Bend Lake on the Texas side. Both provide a nice day of golfing and are worth checking out.
Rayburn Country Resort Golf Course, located in Brookeland, offers an affordable way to spend the day. Eighteen holes are laid on a championship course along with a clubhouse, dining, and golf shop.
Center Country Club, located in Center, Texas offers a nice nine hole course which challenges all levels of skill. Their on-site dining offers lunch and dinner menu options after a long day of golfing.
On the Louisiana side of Toledo Bend Lake, visit Cypress Bend Golf Course in Many. The eighteen hole course offers a variety of greens and fairways for the golf enthusiasts. Additional amenities on-site include fishing, birding, and hiking trails.
Another favorite golf course on the Louisiana side of the lake is Mansfield Country Club. The nine hole course features over three-thousand yards of golfing with a course rating of thirty-five. For new golfing location listings, please visit our Things To Do section.
Toledo Bend Entertainment
Museums are a great place to visit near Toledo Bend Lake. Take some time with the family to visit the Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum in Hemphill, Texas. Or, visit the Jasper County Historical Museum in Jasper, Texas. Another idea is visiting the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in Carthage, Texas.
Historical sites to visit near Toledo Bend Lake include Mansfield State Historic Site, Mission Dolores State Historic Site, or nearby historical parks. Take a few minutes to see the Liberty Hill Cemetery in San Augustine, Texas. Or, stop by the Corley-Harrison Texas Historic Ranch.
In Louisiana, consider taking the family to Friday night dirt track racing at Sabine Motor Speedway. The oval dirt track includes wide straights and slightly banked turns. The speedway is known as the “Smoothest Place to Ride.”
A popular destination for tourists and visitors is the El Camino Real Self-Guided Tour. The historical trail meets at Highway 6 in Louisiana and Highway 21 in Texas. The site features original buildings, a gift shop, and exhibits to explore. A museum is available as well as an area for a family picnic.
Shopping & Dining at Toledo Bend Lake
Shopping near Toledo Bend Lake offers new opportunities. Browse clothing shops, body care businesses, jewelry stores, floral shops, malls, and personal shopping establishments.
Keith’s Toledo Bend Tackle offers angler needs including bait, tackle, fishing gear, and
convenience products. Toledo Bend Tackle Company also offers lake convenient products at lower prices with friendly services. Pendleton Bait & Tackle offers live bait, worms, and fishing products.
Fairmount General Store, located in Hemphill, Texas provides tackle, groceries, drinks, gasoline, and hunting supplies. The Emporium provides an interesting shopping experience in a warm environment. S & B Boutique offers clothing options, jewelry, knick knacks, and accessories for the family.
Serenity Books & Gifts, located in Hemphill, Texas offers used books, giftables, musical instruments, and coffee drinks. Take some time to browse your favorite book section with a nice, hot cup of deliciousness. For more shopping opportunities, please visit our Things To Do page.
After a long day of shopping, take some time to stop by some of the most popular Toledo Bend Lake eating establishments. Enjoy dining at Fisherman’s Gallery for a seafood buffet in the Toledo Town Area.
Fin & Feather Bar Grill offers a family-style dining with a large menu selection. Alternatively, Cindy’s Place provides delicious Mexican style food including enchiladas, shrimp plates, and fajitas.
For BBQ lovers, don’t miss dining at Hemphill BBQ near Toledo Bend Lake. Diners enjoy wonderful BBQ platters including brisket, pork, sausage, and ribs plus homemade sides. Be sure to enjoy their BBQ goodness while visiting the lake area.
The Crawfish Shack, located on the Louisiana side of the lake, offers diners delicious high-quality food dishes. This five-star restaurant is located in Logansport and is one you don’t want to miss!
Health & Beauty
A number of health & beauty businesses are located near Toledo Bend Lake. Spas near the lake include Spa Nails, Solutions Day Spa, Life Energy Spa, MT Nails & Spa, as well as Capelli Salon & Day Spa.
For a new hair style or cut, visit some of these popular locations. Kathy’s Clip Joint offers five-star services including cuts, styles, and hair products. Lavish Hair Collective provides extensions, highlights, haircuts, waxing, and styling.
Cut-N-Time Beauty Salon offers haircuts, styles, and hair colors. Tips & Tans Salon is a full service salon offering hair services, nail services, and tanning.
Need to catch up on a good tan before wearing your bathing suit at the lake? Then, visit Island Rayz for your choice in UV tanning, spray tanning, and teeth whitening.
Visiting Toledo Bend Lake Year-Round
Toledo Bend Lake is a beautiful place to spend time throughout the year. There are options available for shopping excursions, dining experiences, entertainment options, places to visit, and sports to enjoy. Visit our site regularly for new additions in things to do, places to see, eateries to try, and services to use.
Visiting Toledo Bend Lake offers successful fishing opportunities, water sports, outdoor nature & wildlife exploration, and a variety of places to park your RV or camp. Rental options are available for the weekend, week, and longer terms. Browse through our options to rent beautiful cabins, spacious homes, comfy bungalows, and more.
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