Lake Conroe: a hotspot for year-round outdoor recreation
Within the forested expanse of East Texas, Lake Conroe offers a leisurely and luxurious lifestyle by the water that appeals to those seeking an escape from the urban environment of Houston, while still being close enough to the city for work or play. Whether folks commute 50 miles south to downtown Houston or work at one of the oil refineries in the area, living on Lake Conroe means coming home to watch the orange sunset over the lake. The man-made lake is about 21 miles long and attracts a base of year-round residents and visitors from Houston and beyond. The waterfront buzzes with activity, with boaters often stopping to admire the grand waterfront properties. Although Lake Conroe offers a vacation-like lifestyle, most homes are primary residences. The housing stock varies widely, ranging from single-family homes under $100,000 to waterfront estates that can exceed $7 million. Residents enjoy activities like fishing, boating and waterfront dining in addition to events like Fourth of July fireworks. Instead of just visiting Lake Conroe on long weekends, locals can kick back with their feet in the sand every day. And with Interstate 45 nearby, residents also have easy access to get their big-city fix.
The sunset bathes sails boats in its golden light at a Marina in Lake Conroe.
Home owners enjoy waterway access to take their boats out onto Lake Conroe from their backyards.
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Golfing, swimming in the lake & hiking Sam Houston National Forest
Recreation on the lake ranges from leisurely sunbathing to going turbo-mode on the Jet Ski. Scott’s Ridge Swim Area, located at the northern end of the lake, is a public swimming spot open April through September. This area also has a public boat ramp, which is open all year. Folks on a pontoon or kayak may spot some wildlife: the lake is home to birds and non-aggressive aquatic snakes. Alligators living in the northern, undeveloped part of the lake typically avoid the more developed southern shores where Lake Conroe Beach Park is located. Day passes cost $8 at this 13-acre park, where people can swim, grill burgers and cast fishing lines. Anglers can find bass in the lake, and there are several marinas for boaters to dock their watercraft.
Lake Conroe also offers lots of land-based recreation. Sam Houston National Forest surrounds the northern part of Lake Conroe. The Lone Star Hiking Trail — the longest hiking trail hiking trail in Texas — winds through the tall pine trees. Golfers can choose between the several public and private courses, situated both along the lake and closer to the town of Conroe. Some subdivisions, like Walden on Lake Conroe, have their own recreation facilities, such as community pools and tennis courts.
Set out on an evening boat ride onto Lake Conroe to catch the stunning sunsets on the lake.
April Sound Golf Club is one of the various Golf Clubs found in the Lake Conroe Area.
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Waterfront views available at several price points
Condo complexes, gated communities and golfing communities are just some of the types of subdivisions surrounding Lake Conroe. Custom single-family homes, some built as recently as 2025, are typically designed with new traditional elements. Home prices range widely and depend on a variety of factors, primarily size. Homes in the $70,000 to $140,000 range include older builds from the 1980s that are typically smaller, with prices climbing for newer, larger construction. Most homes cost under $560,000 and typically have between two and three bedrooms. Homes starting at $600,000 tend to have at least four bedrooms, increasing in size into the millions and peaking at about $7 million. Grandiose estates over $1 million have lakefront views, but lower price points may also have similar vantage points.
Subdivisions have different rules and regulations regarding property appearances and private boat slips, and many have HOAs with annual dues. Most people live on the south side of the lake, where bulkheads prevent erosion and protect properties from the water’s edge; homeowners may be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the bulkheads. Homeowners might also need to pay for pest control services to get rid of mosquitoes, especially on the waterfront. When it comes to crime, the area’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 3 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
Condos and townhouses range from about $95,000 to $850,000, with higher price points providing more square footage and waterfront views. Manufactured homes are primarily clustered in the northern part of Lake Conroe, ranging from $50,000 to $425,000, depending on size.
Contemporary homes line the waters edge providing residents with easy access to Lake Conroe.
Find many housing options near the water at Lake Conroe including more affordable condos.
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Lake Conroe is evenly split between two school districts
Students living on the west side of Lake Conroe are zoned for Montgomery Independent School District, rated A on Niche. This highly regarded district has seven elementary schools and two junior high schools. Within Montgomery ISD, Montgomery High School has a Marine Corps JROTC program. Willis Independent School District, rated B, serves those on Lake Conroe’s east side. This district includes six elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school. For a nearby private option serving kindergarteners through seniors, Lifestyle Christian School is rated A.
Stewart Creek Elementary has a 14:1 student to teacher ratio.
Montgomery High School received a B+ grade from Niche.
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Lake Conroe’s waterfront dining and nearby shopping
The lake is not only the center of recreation; it’s also a hub for dining. “There’s socialization around the lake with several locations where you can drive your boat up and eat,” says Melissa Perez-Mueller, a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty who specializes in Lake Conroe and the surrounding areas. Papa’s on the Lake is one of those spots: it’s party-central, with its pool tables and live bands playing weekly. Folks at Papa’s can kick back with a burger and a beer while watching the sunset from the deck. Fajita Jacks also has a pier for guests arriving by watercraft. This restaurant serves Tex-Mex food and has a full bar with HDTVs and daily drink specials. For groceries, there is a Kroger on both the east and west sides of the lake. On Saturday mornings, Montgomery Farmers Market offers locally made products like organic herbal tea and raw honey, in addition to fresh vegetables and meats. A few miles southeast of Lake Conroe, Historic Downtown Conroe is home to small businesses, art galleries and taverns. Complimentary buses shuttle passengers between Conroe and Lake Conroe on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Papa's on the Lakes is a popular spot on Lake Conroe where residents can enjoy a meal.
Pick up groceries at the local Kroger in Lake Conroe.
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Events and attractions at Lake Conroe
Entertainment is easy to find at Lake Conroe, between musicians performing at restaurants and boat shows at the marinas. “Right on the lake, Margaritaville is a brand-name resort hotel and restaurant area; it’s definitely an attraction,” Perez-Mueller says. Locals can purchase day passes to lounge around Margaritaville’s amenities and water park, which features waterslides and a lazy river. There are fireworks over the lake every Fourth of July, a particularly popular day to be out on the water for locals and visitors alike.
Enjoy the live music performed every Tuesday night at Gudalaharry's in Lake Conroe.
Many vacationers come to stay at the vibrant Margaritaville Lake Conroe.
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Driving to Houston and surrounding areas
Lake Conroe is a car-dependent area. Two bridges cross the lake to connect the east and west sides. Highway 105 stretches along the south side of the lake, leading into Conroe, where drivers can connect with Interstate 45. I-45 takes drivers about 50 miles to Downtown Houston and 45 miles to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Emergency care is roughly 20 miles away at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe. For those in search of bigger waves than the lake can offer, residents can travel to the Gulf Coast for the weekend: Galveston is about 100 miles southeast.
Living with the heat, wind and storms
As is fairly standard for Southeast Texas, residents here can expect hot summer temperatures with higher-than-average humidity. High wind gusts are possible during thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes. Although hurricanes aren’t an annual expectation, the lake is engineered to combat them for those times when named storms do come ashore. The dam lowers the lake depth to prepare for hurricane season as a method of flood control. However, because of the proximity to the lake, the potential for flooding is a concern. “Some of the homes here don’t have a flooding problem at all,” Perez-Mueller says. “The majority of people choose to have flood insurance, but living around the lake doesn’t require it.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Are you familiar with the Lake Conroe neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lake Conroe
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
2
4
Assault with Weapon
3
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lake Conroe Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lake Conroe, Conroe sell after 108 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lake Conroe, Conroe over the last 12 months is $333,120, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Stunning newly remodeled 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home located in the highly desirable Walden community on Lake Conroe. This beautiful residence features a bright & open floor plan designed for modern living, complete with a fully remolded kitchen with custom cabinetry, granite countertops & an expansive serving bar perfect for entertaining. The spacious living area offers abundant natural light & a
Amazing brand new contemporary design D.R. Horton home in the new Lake Conroe Cove Community. Fantastic 4 bedroom two story in a great location! Welcoming curb appeal!! This excellent floor plan offers the perfect blend of space and comfort! Primary suite on the first floor. This home is designed for modern living. Includes stainless steel appliances! The heart of the home is the spacious
October completion. This stunning Centex Fentress plan is a 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home designed for comfort and entertaining! Step into a 2-story foyer that leads to an open-concept kitchen, dining, and family room. The kitchen is a chef’s dream with a working island, gas cooking, granite countertops, soft-close cabinets and drawers, and abundant storage. The spacious primary suite features our
INVESTORS ONLY - DO NOT DISTURB TENANT - This charming, single-story home is situated on one of the largest lots in a well-established neighborhood. It offers a thoughtful split-level layout with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, featuring durable vinyl flooring throughout the common areas. Notable amenities include built-in bookshelves and a covered porch overlooking the expansive backyard. The
This charming property spacious living areas, a modern kitchen, and a nice backyard. The master suite features a walk-in closet Located in a desirable neighborhood, this home is perfect for entertaining guests or relaxing with family. Enjoy the convenience of nearby shopping, dining, and parks and Lake Conroe is just walking down the street. Don't miss the opportunity to make this your dream home!
Gorgeous Water view Townhome on Lake Conroe. All new furnishings sell with the Townhome. Enjoy your own private boat ramp less than 100 feet from the front door. Gated community, private, tennis court/basketball court, and beautiful, private pool. Mini upgrades and remodeled for your conveniences. Good neighbors. Only 10 minutes from Super Center Walmart. Only 20 minutes from The Woodlands best
WATERFRONT CONDO with AMAZING VIEWS of Lake Conroe. This could be your oasis from busy city life or a relaxing primary dwelling. This unit is located on the second floor of the complex offering expansive views of the lake. The open floor concept kitchen/living area open onto the private balcony. This unit comes furnished. Amenities included are a washer/dryer, and full kitchen with a dishwasher
Like-new 3 bed, 2 bath home built in 2021 with an open-concept kitchen/living area and 10' ceilings. Spacious kitchen features 42" upper cabinets, large island, granite countertops, and beautiful natural light. Stainless steel appliances include easy-clean cooktop range with electric oven, 3-rack dishwasher, and microwave. Bedrooms offer ample space and huge walk-in closets. Granite countertops
Calling all nature lovers... Come make this peaceful and serene condo your home. This first floor unit is remodeled and move-in ready. Your rent includes water, sewer and trash. Access to community gym, tennis and pickleball courts, pools and golf club.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
