Fourteen miles from Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain’s residents get a true taste of country living on the lake. The picturesque Eagle Mountain Lake sits at the heart of the community, and with scenic bluff and mountain views and its proximity to the city, it’s easy to see why this affluent North Texas town has become one of the most coveted communities to live. “It’s one of the closest lakes to a major city, and the more west you go, the more country it gets, and the more south you go, the more city it gets,” says Chris C. Walters, Broker and former Realtor. Walters has lived in Argyle, Texas, since 2017 and runs LakeHub.com, a platform dedicated to spotlighting over 100 lake communities for over 25 years. “Eagle Mountain is a beach community, and it’s very welcoming.”
While the lake is the centerpiece of the Eagle Mountain area, it’s not the only defining quality of this locality. Eagle Mountain is also known for its diverse housing and standout schools, and it sits north of a 3,000-acre wildlife refuge. The refuge is just part of the area’s efforts to protect and preserve its natural wonders and qualities that make it unique. In partnership with the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Tarrant Regional Water District has an ongoing Watershed Protection Plan to reduce nutrient level runoff and slow algae growth in the lake. Local non-profit Save Eagle Mountain Lake also hosts annual golf tournaments, lake clean-ups and fundraisers to engage the community and spread awareness of how residents can preserve their surroundings.
The 8,694-acre lake is a built-in draw to this whole area. Formed in 1934 by damming a portion of the Trinity River, Eagle Mountain is fully recreational, so residents can go stand up paddle boarding, boating, wakeboarding, water skiing and fishing. “It’s a medium-sized, family-friendly lake that’s good for catfish and bass fishing,” says Walters. “You can also swim; my wife and I will even go out on the boat on a weeknight sometimes.” The lake boasts 93 miles of shoreline and five public boat ramps with several marinas for boating enthusiasts to utilize. Eagle Mountain Marina is a popular one and home to the Fort Worth Boat Club, an upscale private sailing club with a waterfront restaurant, races, regattas and various events. Boaters looking for weekend fun can cruise into Party Cove, where fellow boaters come to tie up their boats and hang throughout the summer on the northeast side of the lake. “It can be a place to hang out for some people, but it can get a little crazy sometimes,” says Walters. The lake is also surrounded by several scenic parks, like Eagle Mountain Park, which rises over the lake and stretches 400 acres. “It’s very popular with hikers and trail runners,” Trimble-Knox says. Also a hot spot for campers, much of the park is a conservation area and offers over 5 miles of trails winding through grassy and wooded terrain. The 78-acre Twin Points Park also delivers the best of both worlds. “It’s the best beach,” says Walters. “It gets full in the summertime, so you got to get there early, but you can swim, and it has a cool little cove, and it’s over by Augie’s.” Ash Creek Park is another option for residents in the area. This 31-acre park has a playground, athletic fields, basketball courts and an 18-hole disc golf course. The Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge is only 9 miles away, which divides Eagle Mountain Lake from Lake Worth. One of the largest city-owned nature centers in the country, the preservation area has been a local favorite for over 50 years as a haven for wildlife, walking trails and educational activities.
Newcomers can expect to find a peaceful lakeside retreat with scenic bluff and lake views and a mix of architectural styles. With the median household income at $125,000, Eagle Mountain is one of the more affluent towns near Fort Worth. Despite that, those looking to move to the area can still find homes with great views under $200,000. “Anything on the east side of the lake is going to be really expensive, but anything on the west side, because you have to drive around, you’re going to find lower income housing. There are great neighborhoods on the south side, too.” The neighborhood boasts ranch-style houses, traditional Craftsman styles, Cape Cods and cottages. Homes range from $195,000 to over $6 million depending on lot size, square footage and proximity to the water. “Any lake property in Texas; it’s going to be close to a million, now, but we’ve seen this huge increase in traffic,” says Walters. “More people are realizing they can work from home, and being only 30 minutes from Fort Worth, you can live on the lake, and if you need to commute, you’re right there. People are living here year-round.” While most homes in Eagle Mountain were built in the late 1990s, the community is expanding. “You can find new construction. There are lots of communities being developed,” says local Realtor Ginger Trimble Knox of Ginger & Associates, LLC. The wide range of construction eras includes many sizable midcentury homes with attached garages and square footage that start at just over 1,000 and go up to more than 3,000 in some cases. The modern homes in Eagle Mountain have stately brick or stone facades. These houses are expansive, too, with floor plans from 1,200 to 4,700 square feet. Lots in Eagle Mountain span the gamut from 5,000 to over 5 acres. One of the largest Eagle Mountain subdivisions, Lake Country Estates sits on the waterfront and houses on a hilly terrain. “It’s a retro neighborhood, and it has become a really desirable place to live,” Walters says. “It’s on the southside; they have a community boat ramp, and a lot of the houses have been remodeled.” Many higher-end homes, like those in the gated Harbour Point subdivision, come with private docks, resort-style backyards and large balconies to overlook the lake.
Locals can head to one of the lakeside restaurants for a bite to eat after enjoying some time on or by the water. “The most popular restaurant is Augie's Sunset Café,” Walters says. “It’s got the best burger on the lake, and there’s a little fishing pier right there you can go park and fish. Their patio gets full at night, too.” The lakeside brightly colored shack, decked out with foosball and pool tables, palm trees and kitschy décor, is also known for its catfish, onion rings and frosty drinks.
Residents can also go a bit south to Boo Ray’s of New Orleans, which is within walking distance of some of the homes in the area. Boo Ray’s has a menu full of Cajun food and is known in part for its shrimp and crawfish fondue. Joe T. Garcia’s, an area staple, isn’t too far away either. This cash-only spot has been open since 1935 and is famous for its Tex-Mex food and margaritas pitchers. “Everybody goes there at some point in time,” Trimble-Knox says of Joe T. Garcia’s. When it comes to nightlife, Walters says he’s heading to the north side of the lake. “If I’m going to go and hang out and listen to live music, I’m going to Sammie’s on the Lake,” he says. “There’s a boat ramp, and they have the best tacos on the lake. Rooster’s is on the other side, and you can drive across by boat to get there.” And while Sammie’s may hold the title for best tacos on the lake, off the lake, locals know it’s a hidden gem at the nearby gas station. Jamito’s Tacos & Burgers, inside the Shell Gas Station on Boat Club Road, is a go-to for carnitas street tacos and $3 tamales. There are multiple grocery stores around the area to fuel home-cooked meals, too, including Walmart Supercenters and Albertson’s, along with big-box stores like Target and Lowe’s for other essentials.
Depending on where they live, children in the Eagle Mountain area can go to schools in either the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw Independent School District or the Azle Independent School District. Local students in the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD can attend Eagle Mountain Elementary, Wayside Middle School and Boswell High School. The elementary and middle schools have a B-plus Niche rating, and the high school earned an A. Boswell offers a full fine arts department with a visual arts arm, a band, a choir, a dance team and a theater group. Kids zoned for the Azle ISD may start at Eagle Heights Elementary, a B-plus rated school with an active PTO, followed by Azle Elementary for Grades 5 and 6, which has a B grade on Niche, and the B-rated Azle Junior High for Grades 7 and 8. Students funnel into the B-rated Azle High from there, where extracurriculars include a math and science team and a chapter of the Texas Association of Future Educators.
Eagle Mountain is a tight-knit community, coming together over a variety of events and celebrations. “They have a boat parade every year,” says Walters. “Lakeview Marina also puts on a fireworks show on the Fourth.” The neighborhood also hosts an annual boat tie-up celebration in August at Party Cove. The Save Eagle Mountain Lake non-profit organization hosts a Parade of Lights fundraiser in November, a tradition for over 35 years with decorated boats and holiday lights. The group also puts on an annual golf tournament at The Resort on Eagle Mountain Lake in April, featuring 25 teams.
Interstates 820 and 35 and State Route 199 make getting around the area a breeze. Downtown Fort Worth is 14 miles away, and the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport is a 29-mile drive. Residents will need a car to get around, as Eagle Mountain has no public transit.
