This is my favorite place to ride when time or daylight is short. This lake offers a great location to East Fort Worth and the Western Mid-Cities. Traffic is very light and the facilities well kept. Lake Arlington has a TU Electric Plant on the north side. This plant produces warm water conditions in the outlet lagoon. (4-3-98 The water is already over 70 degrees and ready for riding without a wetsuit.) Last summer it was downright hot. When you dipped your toes in, it felt like hot bath water. I am not sure this is a good thing with an urban waterway. But the location can not be beat!!
Lake Arlington is located between Fort Worth and Arlington, Texas. There are three places to launch from, but only two on the State of Texas Map. The northern points are much easier to find the first time than the southern.
The best place to launch from on your first visit is Richard W. Simpson Park. The is the Northeast point in the photo above. The facilities consist of a large 4 lane ramp, Lake Office, large parking facility, and picnicking park. The Arlington Yacht club is also located at this launch point. This is the closest launch point to the Dam. Fuel and Oil is available at the intersection of Arkansas and Green Oaks Rd. This location is the best for first time visitors because it is the easiest to get to and the Lake office is right next to the launch ramp. To find this site, exit I-20 on Green Oaks Drive, and turn North. Continue on Green Oaks Dr. to Arkansas Ln. Turn Left onto Arkansas. Turn Right at the first Y in the road, and continue until the road ends into the lake.
Launch Site B is located in a better park setting than Point A, but is harder to find. Bowman Spring Park is a great setting for day at the lake. The park provides facilities for many activities that are not lake focused. The park has a large 4 lane ramp, fishing pier, restrooms, basketball courts, … This launch location provides the best access to the upper lake and Trinity River. Caution should be used on the upper lake during low water conditions. There is a sand bar directly to the south of the launch area, and much of the upper lake is dangerously shallow during low water conditions. Low water conditions can be checked at the Lake Office, or by looking at the watermarks on the launch ramp. To find this site, exit I-20 on Green Oaks Drive, and turn North. Continue on Green Oaks Dr. to W. Pleasant Ridge Rd. Pleasant Ridge Rd. intersects with W. Poly Webb Rd. Turn Right onto Poly Webb and continue on it until it reaches the lake.
Launch Site C is a great site for early in the year, it is located on the outflow of the Handley TU Electric Powerplant. The area is often 10+ degrees higher than the rest of the lake. The launch area is very sparse, and may not be the most secure. But there is a large gravel area that slopes into the lake to launch from. The area is nearly 150 yards wide, and juts out into the lake 50 yards. This area is a popular fishing location. This location is not suited for everyone, but makes a great quick launch site in the beginning of the season. This site is even more difficult to find. From I-820 on the Southeast side of Fort Worth, exit at Ramey Rd. Continue on the service road, until Willard Road. Turn right onto Willard Rd. and continue until it intersects Quail Rd. Turn Right on Quail Rd. and proceed until you see the launching point on your left.
Use of Lake Arlington requires a permit. The cost for the '97 calendar year was $30. Daily passes can be bought for $10. I have not investigated the cost for '98, but will note it here. Passes are only available at the northeast lake office located at the West end of Arkansas Ln.
