Two people kayaking on a lake at sunset; one in the foreground, one in the distance.

Weekend Getaway: How to Spend 48 Hours Around Possum Kingdom Lake

Possum Kingdom State Park in Palo Pinto County, Texas is home to the beautiful Possum Kingdom Lake. Its sparkling blue waters draw visitors from all over to come and enjoy the fun and scenery. 


But there’s more to do around Possum Kingdom than just the lake. The area is also home to a variety of activities from hiking and biking to golfing and scenic byways. With so much to see and do, Possum Kingdom Lake makes the perfect weekend getaway. 


Keep reading below for some of our favorite weekend activities at Possum Kingdom Lake!

People jumping from a boat into a lake on a sunny day.

Swimming

Possum Kingdom Lake is known for its stunning clear blue water. With more than 300 miles of shoreline, quiet coves, and lovely beaches, the lake is the perfect place for a swim. Below are some of the swimming areas designated by the Brazos River Authority (BRA) at Possum Kingdom Lake. 


  • BRA Area #1 - Scenic Cove: Features a swimming area, boat ramp, picnic shelters, grills, and restrooms. Free entry year-round.
  • BRA Area #4 North - North D & D: Charges a day rate fee of $3 on weekends and holidays. Features a swimming area, showers and restrooms, picnic spots, and a playground.
  • BRA Area #4 South - South D & D: Has the same features as #4 North but is free year-round.
  • BRA Area #5 - Bug Beach: This area has a large park and campground, a designated swimming zone, fishing pier, restrooms, and picnic spaces.
  • BRA Area #6 - Sandy Beach: Known for its sandy shoreline, roped swim zone, playground, picnic tables, and showers/restrooms. Day-use only during summer and $3/person weekends/holidays mid‑May to mid‑September.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling

That’s right! You can snorkel and scuba dive in Possum Kingdom Lake! Though it offers different conditions from ocean environments, it’s a popular inland location for both of these activities. Here are some things to know before you go:


  • Visibility is best near the dam and the lower lake, reaching from 30 feet up to 100 feet in drier conditions.
  • The upper lake has limited visibility, usually just up to a few feet.
  • Thermoclines are common with murky water above and much clearer water below.
  •  “The Wall” is a popular place to dive with a vertical rock drop-off reaching up to 150 feet deep.
  • Boat access is essential to reach deeper, clearer areas. There are few good dives with shore access.
  • Observe buoy restrictions near the dam for safety and compliance.
Boat speeding on ocean with people, tow rope, and wakeboard near rocky shore.

Boating

The lovely blue water of Possum Kingdom Lake is excellent for cruising, sightseeing, and watersports. Make sure you have your life jackets, fire extinguisher, and boat lights! Here are a few of the fun boating activities you can do on the lake.


  • Cruising and sightseeing: With over 300 miles of shoreline and a number of quiet coves, there are plenty of places to sightsee out on the water. Be sure to stop by the famous Hell’s Gate canyon while you’re out.
  • Watersports: Popular watersports include skiing, wakeboarding, and tubing. All fun things to do out on the lake!
  • Paddling: Paddleboarding and kayaks are fun to use in the quieter coves of Possum Kingdom Lake.
  • Jetovating: You can rent this fun equipment to experience out on the lake. 
  • Fishing: Boat access is ideal for fishing. Anglers can find bass, striped bass, catfish, and crappie. 

Hiking

Possum Kingdom State Park offers a delightful mix of scenic lakeside trails, rugged ridge hikes, and historical points of interest. They range in both distance and difficulty. Here's a curated guide of hikes in the area:


  • Lakeview Trail: This 1.4 mile moderate trail winds through woodlands and prairies. It features seasonal wildflowers and lovely views of the lake.
  • Longhorn Trail: The Longhorn Trail is short, just 0.4 miles, but it is challenging and steep. It leads to a rocky overlook with panoramic views of the park and lake. 
  • Chaparral Ridge Trail: A challenging 0.5 mile hike, the Chaparral Ridge Trail climbs through juniper woodlands to ridge-top vistas. It’s a steep and rocky trek. 

Golfing

Found just a few minutes from the northern arm of Possum Kingdom Lake, the Cliffs Resort Golf Course in Gradford, TX offers an excellent golf experience. Here are some things to know about the course before you go:



  • The course: It’s an 18-hole, par-71, 6,796-yard championship layout course designed by Bruce Devine and Robert Von Hagge. 
  • The terrain: This is a parkland-style course with undulating fairways, cedar groves, rocky terrain, and a few lakeside holes offering canyon and water views. 
  • The facilities: The facilities include a pro shop, driving range, chipping/putting greens, and PGA instruction.
  • The dress code: Proper golf attire is required with collared shirts and no denim. 
  • Notable elements: The Cliffs Golf Course is ranked as one of Texas’s most spectacular and toughest courses, with a 4.5/5 rating from Golf Digest.

Visit The Breakers Marina

Located on Possum Kingdom Lake, The Breakers Marina is the place to find everything you’ll need for a day on the water. We offer boat slips for rent as well as slips for guests visiting our store. 


Our store is fully stocked with food, drinks, boating supplies, first aid, and everything else you need for your time on the lake. We also offer on-site fuel to keep you going all day long. Make sure you stop by and visit us while you’re at Possum Kingdom. We’d love to serve you!