Distinctive Local Flavor and Endless Outdoor Enjoyment make Gun Barrel City, TX, Your Summer Paradise

Just an hour southeast of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Gun Barrel City, TX, is a unique community offering residents and visitors alike an abundance of shopping, dining and outdoor recreation activities. 

Situated on the shore of Cedar Creek Lake, the fourth-largest lake in Texas, Gun Barrel is ideally placed to provide access to all its attractions, such as boating, swimming, fishing and water sports.

Gun Barrel itself is a charming small city, full of shopping and dining possibilities with a local flavor.

“You could spend a lifetime exploring the city of Gun Barrel and Cedar Creek Lake,” said Angela Smith, city manager and economic development director of Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corporation (GBEDC). “For those currently living in our community, visiting for the weekend, just passing through or considering a move, expect Gun Barrel and all there is to do around town to make a lasting impression.”

On the Water 

Cedar Creek Lake is over 18 miles wide and two miles long, featuring three islands overseen as Wildlife Management Areas by the Texas Wildlife Department. It is conveniently accessible via Highway 334, which spans Cedar Creek Lake and runs directly through Gun Barrel.

The list of available amenities and activities is extensive, as the thousands of visitors to the lake each year can happily attest.

Fishing is one of the most popular activities in the Cedar Creek Lake area and there is no shortage of spots to cast your line for crappie, largemouth bass and catfish, among other aquatic species.

Big Crappie is the only full-time fishing guide and instruction service on Cedar Creek Lake, offering beginners and families with all the necessary equipment and guided boats.

Tom Finley Park on Cedar Creek Lake is a perfect place to dock your boat and enjoy a grillout or picnic, with plenty of room for kids to play and explore. The island park features multiple boat ramps with ample trailer parking and hosts many community events, festivals and fishing tournaments.

Visitors can enjoy a designated swimming area and a public pavilion, which, along with the entire park, is available to rent for gatherings or events.

Be sure to check out LouLou’s and Vernon’s Lakeside for nearby drinks and food on the island.

Additional Recreation to Enjoy

Cedar Creek Lake and Gun Barrel are a verifiable paradise to those who enjoy sunshine and picturesque atmospheres. 

Campers and RVers can stay in several area RV Parks, like Cedar Creek Lake RV Park, Sandy Shores, and LakeRidge. All three feature many amenities, including RV hookups and plenty of space.

Visiting Gun Barrel City Park in town is another great way to spend the day outside. It features multiple baseball and soccer fields, tennis/pickleball courts, trails, horseshoe pits, picnic tables with charcoal grills, an amphitheater, dog park, an 18-hole disc golf course and more, providing a full lineup of fun things to do for everyone in your group.

Explore Unique Shopping and Dining Experiences in Gun Barrel City

Outdoor recreation is only the tip of the iceberg in what Gun Barrel has to offer.

Be sure to head into town to explore Gun Barrel’s many local restaurants, such as Hector’s Mexican Restaurant, Lake Jackson Seafood and The Jalapeno Tree, all located on our bustling Main Street.   

Gun Barrel is also well-known for its array of boutiques. At Funky Junk, shoppers can find retail gifts, yard art and home decor, plus an assortment of burlap bags. Vanilla Fringe Boutique sells everything from bath and body products to shoes and clothing. And if you have an appreciation of retro apparel with a 1970s vibe, stop by Gypsy Joint!

“Gun Barrel punches well above its weight in the kind of wonderful shopping and dining options to be found, while maintaining a quaint and friendly small-town fabric,” Smith said. “Our thriving downtown, coupled with easy access to Cedar Creek Lake, makes us a unique community in the greater DFW metroplex. We look forward to welcoming you!”

An Exciting Future in Gun Barrel  

It’s an exciting time for Gun Barrel, with work continuing on the ambitious Pier 334 project. Slated for a Spring 2027 grand opening, it will feature 40 docks, a marina, an amphitheater, restaurants, and a boutique Hilton Tapestry hotel. 

Gun Barrel is a top-tier destination to explore during the summer. For additional information on all our community has to offer, visit our GBEDC website and don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions.