Beaver Pond Paddling Trail

Beaver Pond Paddling Trail
All photos: LLELA staff and volunteers

The Beaver Pond is a wildlife magnet, and a quiet paddler has great opportunities to view herons, egrets, ducks, turtles, frogs, deer, and many other wildlife species. There are plenty of cool, shady areas in which to escape the sun on warm days, and the trail includes 12 stops at interpretive signs mounted at various locations in the pond to enhance your experience.


NOTE: Like all North Texas ponds, the Beaver Pond is subject to fluctuating water levels and may go completely dry during times of drought. We strongly advise you to visit the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area website or call 972-219-3550 for the latest conditions on the Beaver Pond Paddling Trail before heading out.

Getting There

Access Point:

Beaver Pond Parking Area GPS coordinates 33° 30' 51.92" N, 96° 58' 53.37" W

Emergency Take-outs:

Alternate Site GPS coordinates 33° 30' 44.17" N, 96° 58' 55.10" W

Secondary Site GPS coordinates 33° 30' 37.40" N, 96° 58' 48.37" W

From I-35E in Lewisville: Take Exit 453 (Valley Ridge). Drive about one mile east on Valley Ridge Blvd. to Mill Street. Turn north on Mill St., then drive about one mile to Jones Street. Drive east about 0.5 mile on Jones St. to the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. After paying admission at the gatehouse, proceed east to the Beaver Pond Paddling Trail parking area.

Hours of Operation (access to trail only available during these times, 7 days a week)

Summer Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (March 1 - October 31)
Winter Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (November 1 - February 28, exceptions: closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days)
Entry fee: $5 per vehicle

Note: Invasive zebra mussels have been found in this area. To prevent further spread of this pest, paddlers are required to drain all water from their boats before leaving the river. Get details.

Distance from nearest major cities:

  • Austin - 220 miles
  • Dallas - 27 miles
  • Denton - 14 miles
  • Fort Worth - 36 miles
  • Houston - 267 miles
  • Waco - 119 miles

Map

Location Map:

Detailed Map of Paddling Trail:

Trail Description and Landmarks

Trail Length: ~1 mile
Float Time: ~30 - 60 minutes (depending on the paddler)

Please note: Paddlers can spend as long as they wish paddling all areas of the pond and should not feel restricted to paddling the single loop mapped. For the safety of your pets and the wildlife we do not allow pets on the property.

The Beaver Pond is a wildlife magnet, and a quiet paddler has great opportunities to view herons, egrets, ducks, turtles, frogs, deer, and many other wildlife species. The paddler will travel through shady willow thickets, open water, and floating rafts of water lilies and other aquatic vegetation. There are plenty of cool, shady areas in which to escape the sun on warm days. The trail includes 12 stops at interpretive signs mounted at various locations in the pond, but you are welcome to paddle through all portions of the pond. This trail is well-suited for paddlers of a variety of skill levels, including beginners and children.

Water levels in the Beaver Pond fluctuate with rainfall. The northernmost portions of the pond may be unnavigable during times of drought. Fallen branches and logs may create obstacles at times. You can obtain water quality information by calling 972-219-3550.

Fishing

Fishing is not allowed in the Beaver Pond, but anglers are welcome just 1 mile away in the Elm Fork, also accessible within LLELA.

White bass, largemouth and spotted bass, common carp, smallmouth buffalo, catfish, and hybrid striped bass are abundant along the Elm Fork within LLELA. Rainbow trout are also stocked in this area in the winter. Anglers should use small spinners and soft plastics to target the white bass, largemouth and spotted bass using light to medium action fishing equipment. The common carp, smallmouth buffalo, and catfish can be targeted with natural baits using medium to heavy fishing equipment. Although not as abundant as other species, hybrid striped bass are present in this stretch of the Elm Fork. These hybrids have escaped Lake Lewisville which is stocked with hybrids annually. Anglers fishing for hybrids should use spoons and soft plastic swim baits using medium action fishing equipment. There is a $5 per vehicle entry fee to enter LLELA and it is open seven days a week (exceptions: closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's days). Anglers are not allowed to use cast nets on the Elm Fork with the boundaries of LLELA.

Wildlife and Ecology

The Beaver Pond supports a great diversity of plant and animal life. Birds spotted here include Green Herons, Prothonotary Warblers, and many other species of ducks and wading birds. Watch closely for signs of beaver activity, and look for raccoon, opossum, and coyote tracks on the muddy banks. You may see or hear Green Treefrogs or Bullfrogs, particularly close to dusk.

Private Property

Respect private property by not trespassing or littering and keeping noise levels down. This river is classified as navigable, which permits public use of the streambed and, if necessary, the banks to portage any hazard. Any other use of private river banks without permission of the landowner can be considered trespassing. Under Texas Penal Code (§30.05), criminal trespass occurs when one enters property after receiving notice not to enter. Notice includes verbal notice, a fence, sign(s), purple paint on posts or trees, or the visible presence of crops grown for human consumption.

Events & Attractions

For more information please see the Paddling Events calendar.

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA)

Don’t miss our hiking trails and the Minor-Porter Log House. Schedule of bird walks, bison tours, and other activities is at www.ias.unt.edu/llela

Lewisville Lake Park

Visit www.cityoflewisville.com

Lewisville Center for the Creative Arts in Old Town Lewisville

Visit www.cityoflewisville.com

Partnership

This trail was made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, the City of Lewisville, REI, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Elm Fork Chapter Master Naturalists, KayakPower.com.

Shuttles & Rentals

Flatwater Kayak

Daren and Kristi Payne, 817-451-9230
www.flatwaterkayak.com
Services offered: Rental of Victory Blast Kayaks, Life Vests, and Paddles

KayakPower

214-669-1663
www.kayakpower.com
Offers kayak and canoe rentals, also guided trips and paddling instruction.

Lani Wai Kayaks

808-429-6550 or LaniWaiKayaks@yahoo.com
www.facebook.com/Laniwaikayaks
Available to drop off rental kayaks or lead trips at the LLELA Beaver Pond.

Paddle Bound River Outfitters

Jimmy and Edie Gray, 817-282-3135
Colleyville, TX 76034
www.paddlebound.com
Services offered: Canoe/Kayak Sales, Rentals (canoes/kayaks, trailers, life jackets, paddles), Guided Trips & Instruction

Cutter Aquatics

Phone 817-354-6853
www.CutterAquatics.com
Provider of Quality Instruction in Kayaking and Canoeing
ACA & USCA Certified Instruction
American Red Cross Authorized Provider

Mountain Sports

2025 W. Pioneer Pkwy
Arlington, TX 76013-6005
1-800-805-9139 or 817-461-4503
http://www.mountainsports.com
Services offered: canoe and kayak sales