Summer is the season to break free from routine and dive into the thrill of outdoor activities. With longer days and warmer weather, there is no better time to be outside. Living in Texas provides many opportunities to experience fun in the sun and water.
From over 7,000 lakes and 350 miles of coastal shoreline, there are many ways to embrace summer. When you think of being out on the water, whether it is on a lake or beach, many activities come to mind like fishing, boating, jet skiing, kayaking, canoeing, plus scuba diving and snorkeling.
For most Texans, a summer isn’t a summer without some form of lake life. Lake Texoma, one of the closest lakes nearby, is called the “Playground of the Southwest”. Lake Texoma attracts over six million visitors a year, many of whom bring their boats for water skiing, tubing, and of course, the abundant striper and bass fishing. Additionally, the lake is full of jet skis dashing across the water.
Longtime Celina resident Greg Jones has been taking his family of six to Lake Texoma since 2016. You will find the Jones family either on their boat, a jet ski, or hanging out in a cove on the water, or with friends at their dockominium. “Our family spends as much time as possible at the lake. It’s one of our favorite summer activities,” says Greg. “We have so many friends from Celina who join us there, as well as the Texoma friends we have met over the years,” he continued.
There is nothing like freedom on the water. Don’t have a boat or maybe don’t want to mess with the hassle of boat ownership? You can still enjoy the lake as a member of the Freedom Boat Club located at Lake Texoma Grandpappy Point. Freedom Boat Club nationwide has over 5,000 boats to support your boating needs. As noted on their website, “from center consoles and pontoons to bowriders, offshore fishing boats and wake boats, we have it all.” You just show up. Freedom Boat Club takes care of it all, maintenance, cleaning, repair, insurance, and storage.
If you are craving speed, jet skis are the ultimate rush. These nimble machines let you zip across the lake, carve tight turns, and catch air off waves. There are numerous marinas that offer jet ski rentals around Lake Texoma and other surrounding lakes.
Truthfully, as great as Texas is, it’s hot in the summer. Many people enjoy their outdoor activities in a nearby state. Colorado, for example, has cooler temperatures, but it is also a fabulous place to visit in their “off season”. It’s a premier destination for whitewater rafting with rapids that range from Class 1 to 5. The state has over five rivers known for their white water rafting along the most beautiful mountains and terrains. Those rivers are also ideal and popular spots for fly fishing.
Fly fishing uses a lightweight lure (not actually a fly) to catch mostly trout. It is made of feathers, fur, or other materials to mimic insects. Unlike traditional fishing, fly fishing relies on the weight of the line to cast the fly. It requires special equipment and skills, which makes it more of a sport than a hobby. The number one place to fly fish in the United States is the Madison River in Montana near Yellowstone National Park, but other popular places to fly fish are Alaska and, as mentioned, Colorado.
Finally, if you are headed near an ocean this summer, consider scuba diving or snorkeling. The Florida Keys off southern Florida is known as the “Diving Capital of the World” due to the vibrant coral reefs, warm waters, and plentiful marine life. The Keys are popular diving and snorkeling spots in part because of the clear water and shallow water, allowing divers and snorkelers to experience the magnificent beauty.
Key Largo is the first key when driving south from Miami and is home to numerous dive shops. Some of the most popular sites for snorkeling and diving are Molasses Reef and the infamous Christ of the Abyss. The Christ of the Abyss is a 9-foot bronze statue of Jesus Christ placed underwater that is visible to snorkelers and divers. The statue hosts myriad colorful fish and coral. Besides diving, the Florida Keys are also known for the incredible deep-sea fishing for Yellow Tail Snapper, Mahi Mahi, and Blackfin Tuna.
Whether it's boating, jet skiing, fly fishing -- any kind of fishing, white water rafting, or just hanging out by the pool, it’s time to experience the open air. These activities aren’t just about fun—they are about connection to nature, to friends, to yourself. Summer’s heat demands you get outside, feel the spray of lake water, catch a few fish, encounter nature, but mostly, let loose. So, grab your shades, rally the crew, and hit the great outdoors. It’s waiting for you.