Beautiful Sandy Beaches Really Do Exist Here in West Texas

This oppressive West Texas heat has us all wishing we could just run away to a breezy beachfront to sit, relax, and cool down. Now, if you're thinking you have to drive to Isa Blanca, Galveston, Rockport, or South Padre, I have news. Honestly, you could stay right here in Abilene and find that breezy beach.

It's more possible than you think. In Abilene, you'll find Johnson Park. In the greater Big Country, there are places like Clyde Lake, Lake Brownwood, and Lake Proctor. Around San Angelo and the Concho Valley, there's Lake Nasworthy or O.H. Ivie Lake.

While these are not genuine oceanfront beaches, they are still sandy areas adjacent to large bodies of water. Our local area lakes offer shaded areas for picnicking, barbecuing, and family gathering. Some have playground equipment as you'll see in the photos. If you are planning on visiting any of these places, please check in advance to see if any burn bans are in effect.

Many of our area lakes are free to enjoy. There are a few that will charge either by the person or the car load. For example, Clyde Lake is free to "Clyde city residents" and you must bring proof of residency. Non-residents will pay $2 per person, per day.

Most locations charge for camping, so make sure you reserve in advance and find out what amenities are available (bathrooms, covered pavilions, RV hook-ups, etc). Plan, prepare, and enjoy, but more importantly, stay cool.

Get our free mobile app

LOOK: Fun Beach Side Getaways Around Abilene and The Big Country

Want to spend some time on a sandy beach without having to drive all the way to Galveston, Rockport, or South Padre Island? Check out these awesome West Texas beaches.

LOOK:! These Are Pools One Can Rent By The Hour In Abilene And Texas

Want to spend some private time in a pool? Here are some awesome pools you can rent by the hour.

Abilene Hotels With Indoor Pools

It's every kid's dream - here are hotels in Abilene with indoor pools to enjoy year-round.

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Filed Under: beaches, Texas lakes, west texas

Categories: Abilene News, Headline News, Photos, State News, Weather