Texas guide · last checked Oct 29, 2026
Public hunting land near Dallas–Fort Worth
Named public land units around the Metroplex from our PAD-US directory—grasslands north of the cities, WMAs on reservoirs, and Corps of Engineers lake projects—plus what TPWD says about the Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Last checked Oct 29, 2026 against TPWD’s Annual Public Hunting Permit / Walk-in Hunts page (TPWD labels it “information valid September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027”) and the managing-agency links below. Prices, seasons and access rules change. Confirm with TPWD and the land manager before you hunt near Dallas–Fort Worth.
What “near Dallas–Fort Worth” means here
The Metroplex has little walk-up public hunting inside the urban core. Hunters usually drive north to the national grasslands in Wise and Fannin counties, or to reservoir WMAs and Corps lakes around Denton, Collin, Ellis, Navarro and Hunt counties. Every unit below already has a page under Texas in our directory.
PAD-US shows ownership and an open/restricted access tag. It does not replace TPWD seasons, WMA check-in rules, grassland unit maps, or Corps lake hunting schedules.
Start with TPWD’s Annual Public Hunting Permit
For TPWD’s own walk-in public hunting lands (wildlife management areas, some state parks, and leased dove/small-game tracts), Texas Parks and Wildlife sells a $48 Annual Public Hunting (APH) Permit for the 2026–27 season (valid Sep 1, 2026–Aug 31, 2027, per TPWD). You also need a season Texas hunting license. Youth under 17 may access those APH areas free with a permitted adult. A $12 Limited Public Use permit covers recreation on the same lands without hunting.
Not every public acre in our directory is an APH area. National forests, national wildlife refuges, and Corps of Engineers lakes have their own managers and rules. Use TPWD’s Area/Legal Game Search to see which units the APH permit covers, and read our Texas APH permit guide for the full summary.
TPWD: APH Permit / Walk-in Hunts · TPWD: Public Hunting in Texas
National grasslands north of DFW
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland (Wise County) and Caddo National Grassland (Fannin County) are U.S. Forest Service units and the largest blocks of public land immediately north of the Metroplex in our list. Hunting follows Forest Service unit rules and a Texas hunting license. Treat them separately from TPWD’s APH walk-in list unless a specific tract also appears in TPWD’s search tool.
- National Grassland
Lyndon B. Johnson National Grassland
20,068 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Wise County
Open access - National Grassland
Caddo National Grassland
17,726 acres
U.S. Forest Service (USDA) · Fannin County
Open access
Official overview: U.S. Forest Service: hunting on national forests.
Wildlife management areas around North Texas reservoirs
These state-managed WMAs sit on or near reservoirs within a few hours of Dallas–Fort Worth. Many are part of TPWD’s public hunting program (APH, drawn, or daily permits). Always confirm the current year’s legal game and dates in TPWD’s Area/Legal Game Search before you buy a permit or drive out.
- State wildlife / game area
Cooper Reservoir Wildlife Management Area
18,393 acres
State: park and recreation agency · Delta County, Hopkins County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area
14,242 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Freestone County, Navarro County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Tawakoni Wildlife Management Area
2,108 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Hunt County, Van Zandt County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Cedar Creek Islands Wildlife Management Area
159 acres
State: fish and wildlife agency · Kaufman County, Henderson County
Restricted access - State wildlife / game area
Roger R Fawcett Wildlife Management Area
5,453 acres
State: park and recreation agency · Palo Pinto County
Restricted access
Corps of Engineers recreation areas (lakes)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects around DFW (Ray Roberts, Lewisville, Joe Pool, Grapevine, Benbrook and others) show up in PAD-US as recreation areas. Some allow hunting under Corps and TPWD rules; others limit or close hunting. Do not assume a lake page in our directory means you can hunt there—check the project office and current public notices.
- Army Corps of Engineers project land
Ray Roberts Recreation Area
47,237 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Denton County, Cooke County + 1 more
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Lewisville Recreation Area
46,306 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Denton County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Joe Pool Recreation Area
15,225 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Dallas County, Tarrant County + 1 more
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Grapevine Recreation Area
15,639 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Denton County, Tarrant County
Open access - Army Corps of Engineers project land
Benbrook Recreation Area
8,161 acres
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers · Tarrant County
Open access
Lake finder: Corps Lakes Gateway.
How to use this guide with our directory
- Pick a named area below and open its page for acreage, counties, the PAD-US access tag, and nearby units.
- Follow the managing-agency link on that page (TPWD, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers).
- If it is a TPWD public hunting unit, check TPWD’s Area/Legal Game Search for legal game, dates and check-in rules, and buy the APH permit if required.
- Buy a Texas hunting license (and any stamp endorsements) for the season you plan to hunt.
- Confirm Texas deer season dates for your county—APH areas can also set their own dates.
A practical DFW weekend plan
- Decide species (dove, deer, waterfowl, feral hog, small game) and check TPWD county seasons.
- Shortlist 2–3 units from the cards above that match that species and drive time.
- Open each managing-agency page and TPWD’s search tool the same day you plan to go—closures change.
- If the unit is on the APH list, buy the $48 APH Permit and your hunting license before you arrive.
- Print or download maps (TPWD KMZ/GPX for APH areas; Forest Service or Corps maps for federal units).
Common questions
Is there public deer hunting close to Dallas?
Yes, on some WMAs and grasslands within a couple of hours—but each unit sets its own means, dates and access. Start with LBJ or Caddo grasslands and Cooper Reservoir or Richland Creek WMAs, then verify deer is legal game there for your dates.
Do I need the APH Permit for LBJ National Grassland?
Usually the APH Permit is for TPWD public hunting lands. Grassland hunting is under U.S. Forest Service rules. Double-check both the Forest Service unit page and TPWD’s Area/Legal Game Search so you are not missing a TPWD-administered tract.
Can I hunt at Joe Pool or Lewisville Lake?
Maybe. Corps projects often have designated hunting areas or seasonal rules. Call or read the project office page for that lake; our directory page is only a starting point for location and size.
Related guides
Not legal advice and not an official source. This independent site is not affiliated with any government agency. Season dates are copied from the agency pages linked above as of the “last checked” date and may have changed since. The agency’s current regulations are what count. Full disclaimer.