Possum Kingdom Lake is in Graford, Texas, about 90 minutes west of Fort Worth — the clearest, most scenic lake in North Texas, and a true bucket-list day trip. The water is the main event: wakes...
Things to Do at Possum Kingdom Lake: A Day Guide
Wakesurfing, Hell's Gate, swimming, cliffs, and the state park — here's how to spend a great day at North Texas's clearest, most scenic lake.
The short answer
Possum Kingdom Lake is in Graford, Texas, about 90 minutes west of Fort Worth — the clearest, most scenic lake in North Texas, and a true bucket-list day trip. The water is the main event: wakesurfing, wakeboarding, tubing, and swimming, plus seeing Hell's Gate (the lake's famous twin cliffs) and relaxing on water that actually looks blue.
The easiest way to see the best of it is from a boat. Wake delivers a 2023 Tige Z3 surf boat right to your PK marina with all the gear included — captained $275/hour (up to 12) or self-drive $225/hour (up to 10). See Possum Kingdom rentals →
Most North Texas lakes are a quick hop from the city. Possum Kingdom is the one worth the drive. It sits in a rocky, canyon-like stretch of country west of Fort Worth, the water is deep and clear, and the whole place feels more like a getaway than a city lake. Whether you've got a full day or just an afternoon, here's how to make the most of it.
How to get there (and how far it is)
Possum Kingdom Lake is in Graford, Texas, roughly 90 minutes west of Fort Worth and about two hours from Dallas. It's the longest drive of the eight North Texas lakes we serve — but it's also the most scenic by far, which is exactly why people plan a day (or a weekend) around it. If you'd rather skip the close-in city lakes for something that feels like an actual escape, this is the one.
The best things to do at Possum Kingdom
| Activity | What to know |
|---|---|
| Get on the water | Wakesurfing, wakeboarding, and tubing are the headline. PK's deep, clear water makes it one of the best surf lakes in the state. No boat or gear? We deliver both. |
| See Hell's Gate | The lake's signature view — tall twin cliffs framing a wide stretch of open water. Best seen from a boat; it's the photo everyone takes home. |
| Swim & relax | The clear water is genuinely nice for swimming and floating. Anchor in a quiet cove, jump in, and soak up the sun. |
| Possum Kingdom State Park | On the lake's north side — hiking, shoreline swimming, fishing, and picnic spots if you want some time on land. |
| Eat lakeside | A handful of marina restaurants and grills sit right on the water — an easy way to cap off a day on the boat. |
The main event: wakesurfing on PK's clear water
Possum Kingdom's deep, clean water sets up a clean wave, and the scenery beats any city lake. You don't need to own a boat or haul a trailer 90 minutes — Wake delivers a 2023 Tige Z3 surf boat straight to your PK marina with surfboards, wakeboards, a tube, and life jackets all included. On a captained trip, the captain drives, sets the wave, and coaches first-timers for free, so everyone in your group rides whether they've surfed before or not.
Best for: groups, families, and anyone who wants the iconic PK day without buying or towing a boat.
See Possum Kingdom boat rentals →What it costs to get on the water
Wake's pricing is flat and all-inclusive, so the bigger your group, the lower the cost per person. Here's how a typical 3-hour captained day at PK splits up:
| Group size | 3-hour captained day ($825 total) | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| 6 people | $825 | about $138 |
| 8 people | $825 | about $103 |
| 10 people | $825 | about $83 |
| 12 people | $825 | about $69 |
That's $275/hour captained (up to 12) with gear, boards, a tube, and life jackets included — or $225/hour self-drive (up to 10) if your crew has experienced drivers. Want instruction-first? A focused lesson is $275/hour. Gas is billed separately at cost, and that's the only extra — no per-board fees, no gear add-ons, no surprises.
How to plan your PK day (the easy version)
- Go early if you can. Mornings have the calmest, glassiest water — best for swimming, photos, and first-time surfers. Afternoons are great for sun and hanging out.
- Decide captain or self-drive. Captained ($275/hr, up to 12) means no experience needed and someone else drives. Self-drive ($225/hr, up to 10) is for crews with an experienced driver.
- Book the boat to your marina. Tell us your PK launch spot, date, group size, and how long — 3 hours is the sweet spot. We bring the boat and all the gear to you.
- Pack a cooler. Bring snacks, drinks, water, sunscreen, and towels. We handle everything boat- and water-related.
- Make a day of it. Pair your time on the water with a stop at the state park or a lakeside bite to round out the trip.
That's it — no trailer, no gear to buy, no learning to drive a boat 90 minutes from home. The all-inclusive setup is the whole point: you plan the fun, not the logistics.
What's included when you book the boat
Every Wake rental at Possum Kingdom covers:
- A 2023 Tige Z3 — a premium surf boat with comfy seating, delivered to your PK marina
- All the gear — surfboards, wakeboards, and a tube, with no rental fees
- Life jackets — sized for adults and kids
- A captain & coaching — on captained trips, the captain drives and teaches first-timers for free
Captained is $275/hour (up to 12); self-drive is $225/hour (experienced drivers, up to 10); a focused lesson is $275/hour. Gas is the only extra, billed at cost. See the full Possum Kingdom page.
Tips for a great day at Possum Kingdom
It's a longer drive, so leave early and beat the heat — the morning water is the best of the day. Bring more water and sunscreen than you think you need; the open lake sun is no joke. If you're celebrating something, PK's scenery makes it feel like an event, so it's a favorite for bachelorettes, milestone birthdays, and family trips. And if anyone in your group is nervous about surfing, don't be — on a captained trip, coaching is included and most first-timers are up and riding the same day.
Where we come to you
Possum Kingdom is our most scenic destination, but it's not your only option. We deliver to eight North Texas lakes: Possum Kingdom, Lewisville, Grapevine, Texoma, Ray Roberts, Ray Hubbard, Cedar Creek, and Tawakoni. If PK's drive is too far for your day, our lake guide breaks down drive times and vibes so you can pick the right one.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Possum Kingdom Lake and how far is it from DFW?
It's in Graford, Texas, about 90 minutes west of Fort Worth and roughly two hours from Dallas. It's the longest drive of the North Texas lakes, but the clearest and most scenic.
What is there to do at Possum Kingdom Lake?
Wakesurfing, wakeboarding, tubing, and swimming, plus seeing Hell's Gate, relaxing on the clear water, and visiting Possum Kingdom State Park. The lake is the main attraction, so most people spend the day on a boat.
What is Hell's Gate?
Possum Kingdom's most famous spot — a pair of tall cliffs framing a wide stretch of deep, clear water. It's the postcard view of the lake, best seen from a boat.
Can you wakesurf at Possum Kingdom?
Yes — PK's deep, clear water makes it one of the best surf lakes in North Texas. Wake delivers a 2023 Tige Z3 to your marina with all gear included: $275/hour captained (up to 12) or $225/hour self-drive (up to 10).
What's the best time of year to go?
May through October is prime time. Mornings have the calmest, glassiest water; afternoons are great for sun and hanging out.
What our guests say
★ 5.0 out of 5 · verified GetMyBoat guest reviews"Casey was phenomenal! Went above and beyond for my daughter's 16th bday with her friends!!!!"
"Had a great experience riding with Casey. Thank you so much for allowing us to create a memory with you. Highly recommend."
"Great boat! Great communication with any questions that came up. Thanks!!"
Ready for a day at Possum Kingdom?
Tell us your PK marina, date, and group size — we'll bring the boat, the gear, and the wave to the prettiest water in North Texas. You just show up in swimsuits.
Book your Possum Kingdom day