Enjoy all Denton County & Surrounding North Texas Areas Have to Offer

North Texas is one of the state’s more interesting regions, mainly because it offers something for every lifestyle. True to Texas, ranching, farming and horse culture are as huge here as anywhere in the state. But there are also charming historic cities, college towns, amazing food, music and art, and a lot more to enjoy in the region.

This is North Texas – sometimes known as the state’s Prairies and Lakes Region – and it’s the place United Country Real Estate | North Texas Realty & Auction calls home. Here in Denton, we’re only about a half hour from big city life in Dallas. And at the same time, we’re also surrounded by natural beauty — forests, lakes and other features that call to outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Let’s take a closer look at the attractions and appeal of North Texas in Denton County and surrounding parts of the region, for residents and visitors alike.

While North Texas’ Prairies & Lakes Region includes some major cities such as Dallas and Fort Worth, the name more accurately reflects the outlying areas. And these areas are ideal for outdoor adventures. One of the best ways to explore the recreational offerings is by heading to the area’s state parks and preserves.

Eisenhower State Park right here in Denton features the massive Lake Texoma, great for fishing bass, catfish and crappie. The park also offers hiking, biking and ATV trails, and camping. Around 25 minutes away in Pilot Point is Ray Roberts Lake State Park, a top spot for horseback riding, guided hikes, swimming and more.

Less than an hour’s drive south of Denton, you’ll find Cedar Hill State Park on the shores of the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake. All the typical land and water activities are popular here, and the campsites are mostly modern. Alternatively, go an hour north for Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge, great for birding and wildlife viewing, boating and even wild edible foraging.

There are plenty of other parks worth checking out a little farther away, as well, such as Bonham State Park northeast of Denton and Lake Tawakoni State Park to the southeast in Wills Point. The latter hosts some big annual fishing tournaments. If hunting is your aim, the Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands north of Dallas has public land teaming with deer, turkey and small game. Some state parks also allow hunting in or around the area, and there are many private ranches offering exotic hunts. You might start with this map of Texas’ public hunting lands.

It truly does feel like North Texas offers something for everyone. Though outdoor recreation is a big part of the culture here, it’s not for all tastes. You may be more at home checking out local shops and restaurants, the music scene, museums and historic sites, or other attractions. Here are seven cities/towns in Denton, Collin, Cooke, Grayson and Wise counties you can explore to do just that:

• Denton – Somewhat of a college town, Denton has the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University and a few two-year colleges. The city is known for its lively music venues, historic sites, craft breweries and more. The city’s chamber of commerce says Denton is where “hip intersects with historic.” Visit the Courthouse-on-the-Square Museum, have fun at the North Texas Fair & Rodeo, and don’t miss the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival.


• Pilot Point – The oldest settlement in Denton County, this Texas Main Street city has some of the best-ranked high schools in the area. Like Denton, it’s huge on horses and you’ll find ranches everywhere. Pilot Point loves its seasonal events and niche festivals like Bonnie & Clyde Days. But there’s more to discover here.


• Frisco – Located in Collin County, Frisco offers a little more of what you’ll find in larger cities like Dallas, including more upscale restaurants and shops. It’s also a sports mecca, with the Dallas Cowboys practice facility, pro soccer team FC Dallas, minor league baseball team the Frisco RoughRiders, and other teams located here. Tour the popular Museum of the American Railroad, or head to one of Frisco’s amazing golf courses.


• McKinney – Also in Collin County, McKinney is 30 miles north of Dallas. There’s a seasonal, local and farm-to-table approach with many of the eateries here that stands out. For entertainment, catch a show at the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The city hosts several fun festivals and events throughout the year, and the Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary is great anytime for a family-friendly outing.


• Gainesville – The seat of Cooke County, Gainesville has multiple local parks, including Leonard Park which you can tour on the Frankie Schmitz Express Train (when in season). The Gainesville Municipal Golf Course is great for all skill levels; the Frank Buck Zoo is enjoyed by all ages; and the Gainesville Market Square has a nice farmers market and occasional events.


• Sherman – Over in Grayson County, Sherman is where you’ll find most of the county’s activities and attractions. Sherman has even more parks than Gainesville and the city promotes them pretty well. A top summer spot in Fairview Park is the Splash Family Aquatic Center. Museums also draw interest here, including Frontier Village & Museum, the Sherman Jazz Museum and the Harber Wildlife Museum. Like many cities in the region, Sherman touts its downtown area, shops and restaurants.


• Decatur – Decatur is the county seat of Wise County. It also happens to be in a part of Texas where wineries are popular, such as these wineries in and around the city. Specialty shops on the Decatur Town Square define the local retail scene, and you can dive deep into history at the Wise County Historical Society, or discover historic Decatur on a walking tour (there’s also a cool tour of the city’s many artistic murals).

Sources: DentonCounty.gov; DiscoverDenton.com; CityofPilotPoint.org; Fws.gov; Fs.Usda.gov; Gainesville.Tx.us; McKinneyTexas.org; ShermanTx.org; TexasTravelTalk.com; TourTexas.com; Tpwd.Texas.gov; and TravelTexas.com