Lake Arrowhead State Park

After being purchased by Wichita Falls under the State Parks Bond program in 1970, Lake Arrowhead State Park opened to the public and has been entertaining guests ever since. Lake Arrowhead is actually a reservoir on the Little Wichita River that covers a whopping 16,000 acres, 106 miles of which is pristine shoreline. This was all primarily built as a way to supply water to the residents of Wichita Falls but has grown over the years to become a popular recreational site for locals.

Water activities are the number one pasttime at Lake Arrowhead, with both swimming and fishing being quite popular during the summer months. While dogs aren't allowed off leash, the shoreline is open for a good walk with your dog. Fishing equipment is not provided by the park, so make sure to bring your own if you're interested. During the summer, make sure to check out the Kid's Fishing Contest and Adult Rough Fishing Contest, both of which are held during the first Saturday of June. Paddleboard rental is also available via a third party company called PaddleEZ. Pricing is available on their website.

Educational programs are regularly held at Lake Arrowhead, with most of them being centered around the fishing season. In addition to this, there are several outreach programs for youngsters centering on wildlife preservation. These programs are primarily free, and more information can be found on the Texas Parks' website.

If you'd like to take your dog on a longer forest excursion, there are over 300 miles of hiking trails available that cover Lake Arrowhead. These are also available to riders on horseback, so always make sure you stay aware when touring these paths with your canine. Make sure to bring clean-up bags for any business your dog may leave behind. Free parking is available at the eastern side park entrance.