Ray Roberts Lake State Park has nine units, and the Sanger and Elm Fork satellite units offer different ways to spend a day by the lake. Choose Sanger for marina services and a boat ramp, or Elm Fork for access to the Greenbelt Corridor trail.
- Units: Sanger and Elm Fork are satellite units, not developed recreation and overnight units.
- Typical hours: Both are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee: $7 per adult per day; children 12 years and under are free.
- Trail option: The Greenbelt Corridor is a 20-mile multiuse trail.
Sanger Unit and Elm Fork Unit compared
Sanger suits a lake-focused visit, while Elm Fork is the stronger choice for reaching the Greenbelt from its northern end. These are satellite units within a park that has nine units; the two are separate from its three developed recreation and overnight units.
Sanger Unit
Sanger is a 20-acre satellite unit and the site of Lake Ray Roberts Marina. The Sanger Park access, off FM 455 about 3 miles east of Sanger, has a multi-lane concrete boat ramp, a boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles.
The full-service marina offers boat storage and repair, boat sales and rentals, fuel, boat slips, fishing licenses, bait, groceries and deli snacks. For marina questions, call (940) 458-7343.
Elm Fork Unit
Elm Fork is a 290-acre satellite unit and a Greenbelt trailhead. Its boat access has a ramp, a boarding pier and parking for up to 75 vehicles.
The Greenbelt Corridor runs 20 miles from Ray Roberts Dam toward Lake Lewisville along the Elm Fork Branch of the Trinity River. If reaching the trail is your priority, Elm Fork gives you access at the corridor’s northern end.
Activities and facilities to look for
Both units connect you with lake recreation, while Elm Fork also serves as a starting point for the Greenbelt. Park activities include hiking, biking and horseback riding on land, as well as swimming, paddling and fishing on the water.
Sanger’s marina provides services that can support a boating day, including boat rentals, fuel and bait. Its ramp is open all year, requires a fee and may close when the lake reaches 639.0 feet.
Elm Fork combines boat access with its trailhead role. Restrooms are available at both the FM 455 and FM 428 Greenbelt entrances. Swimming areas in the park have no lifeguards.
Boaters should clean, drain and dry boats, trailers, livewells, bait buckets and other gear because zebra mussels have invaded Ray Roberts Lake. Draining water is required by law.
Planning the drive from Carrollton
Ray Roberts Lake State Park is a regional day trip from Carrollton, about 30.0 miles from Lone Star Inn. Check your driving route and travel time before you leave, since neither is established here.
For the northern Greenbelt entrance at Elm Fork, the route from I-35 in Sanger follows FM 455 east for 9.3 miles to Elm Fork Park. Turn right there and continue 0.9 mile to the first parking area below Ray Roberts Dam.
If you are planning time in Carrollton around the outing, how to spend a day in Carrollton can help shape the rest of your visit.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates the park under lease from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the cities of Dallas and Denton.
Carrollton’s transport options can also help you plan your time in town; find out how to get around Carrollton.
Fees, access and seasonal checks
Both satellite units are open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the listed entrance fee is $7 per adult per day; children 12 years and under are free. Park fees apply at all Ray Roberts public access locations except Pecan Creek, where donations are requested.
The park’s busy season runs from March through November. Developed units often reach capacity during that period, so Texas Parks and Wildlife Department recommends reserving day-use passes or calling ahead.
Hours, fees and access conditions can change, and the Sanger boat ramp may close if the lake reaches its stated level. Check the official site before you go, especially if you are planning around the ramp or a busy period.
FAQs
Are Sanger and Elm Fork the park’s developed recreation units?
No. They are satellite units; the park has three developed recreation and overnight units.
Which unit has a marina?
Lake Ray Roberts Marina is at the Sanger Unit. Its services include boat rentals, fuel, bait and boat repair.
Does the Greenbelt have more than one access point?
Yes. In addition to the northern access at Elm Fork, the Greenbelt has an FM 428 entrance, where restrooms are available.
Are there wheelchairs available in the park?
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides an all-terrain wheelchair and a beach wheelchair for use in the park. Check with the department about availability at the unit you plan to visit.