Cedar Creek Lake Homes for Sale & Lake Guide
Cedar Creek Lake covers about 32,600 acres in Henderson and Kaufman counties, about an hour southeast of Dallas. It’s one of the largest lakes in Texas, with more than 220 miles of shoreline, and most of that shoreline is privately owned. That means waterfront living here is everywhere: homes on the main lake, on quiet coves, and along canals lined with boathouses, from Kemp and Mabank down through Gun Barrel City, Seven Points and Tool.
Buying on Cedar Creek comes with questions a regular home doesn’t: water depth at the dock, bulkheads, boathouse permits, and whether a canal stays boatable in a dry summer. We’ll walk you through every one. Book a time to talk and we’ll help you find the right spot on the lake.
Why People Move to Cedar Creek Lake
- Real waterfront: most of the shoreline is private, so there are far more true waterfront homes here than on most North Texas lakes.
- Private docks and boathouses: waterfront owners can build permitted docks, boathouses and bulkheads.
- Close enough for weekends: about an hour from Dallas, so it works as a full-time home or a weekend place.
- Fishing: Texas Parks and Wildlife rates the lake excellent for catfish and for white and hybrid striped bass, and good for largemouth bass and crappie.
Cedar Creek Lake Real Estate Snapshot
Lake homes here range from small cabins and older cottages on canals to large custom homes in gated waterfront communities. Price depends heavily on the water: open-water views and deep water off the main lake sell at a premium, while canal and back-cove lots usually cost less, especially where water gets shallow in a dry year. We always look at the depth at the dock and the condition of the bulkhead, not just the house. For current prices and new listings, see the live waterfront listings at the bottom of this page.
Docks, Permits and Lake Levels
Cedar Creek Lake is owned and operated by the Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), which runs a lake office in Trinidad. Docks, boathouses, bulkheads and other shoreline work all need a TRWD permit, and fully enclosed boathouses aren’t allowed. If you’re buying a home with an existing dock or boathouse, we’ll make sure it’s permitted.
The lake’s normal full level is 322 feet above sea level, but as a water-supply lake it rises after heavy rain and drops in drought. We look at a property’s elevation, flood risk, and how its shoreline handles low water before you make an offer.
Things to Do on Cedar Creek Lake
- Tom Finley Park: TRWD’s public waterfront park, with a boat ramp, swimming area, picnic spots and fishing (small admission fee).
- Marinas and lake restaurants: in Gun Barrel City, Seven Points and around the lake, with places to fuel up and eat by boat.
- Golf and lake communities: gated communities with clubhouses, pools and golf around the shoreline.
- Fishing: vegetation in the coves on the lower lake, shallow flats on the upper end, and submerged islands where Clear and Caney creeks come in.
Cedar Creek Lake Schools
Mabank ISD serves Gun Barrel City and much of the north and east side of the lake, and Malakoff ISD serves Tool and much of the south and west side. Kemp, Eustace and Trinidad ISDs cover some homes around the edges. Boundaries can split neighborhoods, so we confirm the school district for every address before you buy.
Towns Around the Lake
Gun Barrel City · Mabank · Seven Points · Tool · Kemp · Payne Springs · Enchanted Oaks · Log Cabin · Malakoff · Trinidad
Your Cedar Creek Lake Real Estate Team
We drive out to show lake homes across North Texas and know what to check on every lake. We’ll show you what the listings don’t tell you about a lake home: water depth at the dock, boathouse and bulkhead permits, flood elevation, and which canals stay boatable in a dry summer. Selling? Your lake home gets Premier Agent placement on Zillow and Homes.com, professional photography, digital floor plans, and boosted social media ads.
Cedar Creek Lake Real Estate FAQs
Can you have a boat dock on Cedar Creek Lake?
Yes. Waterfront owners can build docks, boathouses and bulkheads with a permit from the Tarrant Regional Water District. Fully enclosed boathouses aren’t allowed.
Who manages Cedar Creek Lake?
The Tarrant Regional Water District owns and operates it as a water-supply lake for the Fort Worth area, with a lake office in Trinidad.
How far is Cedar Creek Lake from Dallas and Fort Worth?
About an hour from Dallas and roughly an hour and a half from Fort Worth, depending on which side of the lake you’re on.
Does the lake level change?
Yes. Full level is 322 feet, but it drops in drought and rises after heavy rain. Canals and back coves can get shallow in dry summers, so water depth is worth checking before you buy.
What school districts are around Cedar Creek Lake?
Mostly Mabank ISD and Malakoff ISD, with Kemp, Eustace and Trinidad ISDs covering some homes around the edges. We confirm by address.