Lake Texoma Homes for Sale Real Estate
Vacation Mode: On
Imagine living on permanent vacation. You wake up, put the coffee on, then walk out the back door to your favorite spot on the dock—your dock. The waves lap gently against the boards and a fish announces its presence with a small splash in the distance. As the sun stretches its first dusty rays across the inky water, you can see the possibilities of the day illuminated before you.
It’s a day filled with adventure. You’re hitting up your favorite fishing hole, the place where you caught a catfish so big your rod nearly snapped in half. Your friends are coming over later for no other reason than to have a blast over brats and brews. You’re taking the Jet Ski out to feel the wind in your hair as you zip across the glistening waves. You’re escaping to the soft, emerald hills of the golf course to work on your scratch game. You’re meeting up with your mom at the local winery for a day of laughter and reminiscing over old memories. Or maybe your day is filled with nothing at all buy a lazy afternoon in the hammock with your favorite book. Whatever your plans, the comforting presence of the lake assures you that this day is going to be a great one.
It’s not a dream. It’s a reality to thousands of people who have already decided that life on the lake is simply where it’s at. And we can help make it your reality, too.
FAST FACTS
- Area: 139.1 square miles
- Surface Area: 88,000 acres*
- Capacity: 5.3 million acre-feet*
- Shoreline: 580 miles*
*According to records from the Oklahoma Historical Society.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The dream of Lake Texoma began with the construction of the Denison Dam in 1938. This massive project, achieved through the labor of German POWs during WWII, took six years and $54 million to complete.
Today, Lake Texoma is owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Tulsa District and ranks as the 12th largest Corps-administered lake in the U.S. Although the dam provides over 70,000 kilowatts of power, Lake Texoma’s main source of income is its booming tourism, attracting anywhere from 6 – 9 million tourists annually.
A HIGHER EDUCATION
Durant, located on the eastern side of Lake Texoma, is home to Southeastern Oklahoma State University, which offers over 60 programs to earn a degree in face-to-face and online formats to over 5,300 students.
Murray State College is also adjacent to the lake with campuses in both Tishomingo and Ardmore that serve more than 3,000 students each year.
Just over the border in Sherman, you’ll find Austin College, known for its liberal arts programs and home to about 1,300 students.
ADVENTURE AWAITS
Golf:
Tee off with a lakeside view at Chickasaw Pointe Golf Club, a par-72 course with four sets of tees sprawling a 7,000-yard championship layout. Boasting its own Pro Shop, Hilltop Grill, custom club-fitting services, and one-on-one lessons it’s no wonder that Chickasaw Pointe ranks among the top public access courses in the state.
Or escape to Buncombe Creek Golf Course, an18-hole getaway featuring its own driving range and practice putting green. Originally a peanut farm and cattle ranch, this family-owned establishment presents varying degrees of difficulty for a diverse range of golfers at affordable rates.
Casinos:
If an indoor adventure is more your speed, the Choctaw Casino & Resort in Durant has everything you need from high stakes excitement, bowling, and movies to a day of relaxation at the spa.
Across the lake in Kingston, the Texoma Casino is the perfect way to let loose with over 370 slot machines offering 24-hour, nonstop action. Plus, take advantage of their monthly beverage features and weekday happy hour specials.
Megastar Casino can be found just shy of the border along Highway 377 in Willis and features over 600 electronic games, plus its own restaurant. If you’re looking for something a little smaller, try one of the 99 games at Madill Gaming Center a few miles north.
Museums:
Step back in time at the Three Valley Museum in nearby Durant, where you’ll find the history of Bryan County on display. And be on the lookout for an immersive experience in Choctaw culture at the new Choctaw Nation Cultural Center, opening soon!
Durant is also home to the Fort Washita Historic Site & Museum, erected in 1842, where you can walk the halls of history on a guided tour or witness a Civil War reenactment.
Wineries:
Treat yourself to a unique tasting experience in an intimate setting at family-owned Old Silo Winery in Tishomingo, located on the north side of Lake Texoma. The silo, a repurposed structure harvested straight from the fields of Southern Oklahoma, is now a tasting room and the heart of this small-batch winery.
Just a few miles south, you’ll find Crystal Creek Winery in Mead, known for their selection of fruit-infused wines. Have the perfect girls’ night at one of their Painting with a Twist classes or bring on the competition with a game of cornhole on the beautifully manicured lawn.
Rooted in the hills of nearby Caddo lies Blue River Valley Winery, offering 19 varieties of handcrafted wines. Surrounded by ancestral oaks, it’s the perfect place to unwind with a crisp glass while the soft, guitar chords of local artists drift through the air.
Parks & Wildlife:
Explore the great outdoors at Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge. Opened in 1946, the refuge sprawls across 16,464 acres and plays a crucial role in the survival of many of Southern Oklahoma’s native wildlife species. Its waters are also teeming with life, making this a great place to fish for crappie and catfish.
Bring the family for a day of recreation and relaxation at Lake Texoma State Park. Take a cool dip or soak in the rays at the swimming beach, explore the local terrain on a hiking trail, or unleash your inner angler at one of the prime locations for striped bass. At the end of the day, home is never too far away; but a night at the campgrounds under a starry-blanketed sky might just make it the staycation of your dreams.
Hunting & Fishing:
With 90,000 acres of public land allocated for hunting, including federal- and state-regulated areas, Lake Texoma is an outdoorsman’s dream. Some of the most popular species include quail, deer, turkey, rabbit, bobcat, dove, feral hog, and waterfowl. On the eastern side of the lake, Bryan County is one of the few places in Oklahoma where you can hunt black bears.
Leftover salt deposits in the Red River, one of the main water sources for the lake, make for a thriving population of striped bass, a saltwater species. This unique circumstance has earned Lake Texoma its nickname as the “Striper Capital of the World.” Attracting millions of fishermen annually, the lake is also home to a variety of other species, including: largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish.
With so much lake to explore, having someone to show you where the fish are biting can really pay off. Check out one of the many guided fishing tours available on Lake Texoma, and end the day with a fish fry you’ll be talking about for years.
Camping:
Whether you’ve got a spacious fifth wheel or you prefer to eat and sleep with the earth, the camping spot of your dreams can be found on the shores of Lake Texoma. Choose from campsites in Kingston, Cartwright, Mead, and Calera for your next night under the Oklahoma sky.
Marinas:
The marinas of Lake Texoma aren’t just a safe haven for one of your most prized possessions. They’re also a great place to meet up with friends for a fresh basket of fried catfish or to rent a jet ski for a carefree day on the water. With ample locations along the shoreline, there’s bound to be a marina nearby.
- Kingston:
- Mead:
- Madill:
LOVE AT FIRST BITE
Whether you’re starting the day with a decadent plate of biscuits and gravy at Alberta Creek Floating Café, or devouring a basket of fresh catfish at Catfish Platter, Inc., lakeside meals are always enjoyable. But eating on the lake isn’t just about good food—it’s about having a good time. Let your hair down for a night of karaoke and cornhole at Caney Creek Beer Garden, rock out to local talent and dig into a savory bowl of red beans and rice at Ollie’s Juke Joint and Café, or pair a craft brew with the delicate sweetness of Royal Red shrimp at Sneaky Tiki Restaurant & Brewery. These are just a few of many reasons why lake life is the best life.