I was wondering if there are any boat ramps on the Red River below Lake Texoma? I have studied Google Earth so much my eyes hurt. I cannot locate any boat ramps on the map, but I'm hoping I just over looked one. Do any of you guys know if there is a boat ramp anywhere down stream from the Lake Texoma dam? I have a heavy 16 foot aluminum boat, so I need to be able to back the trailer in the water to launch and recover. A dirt ramp will work. I don't need it to be pretty; just accessible. Thanks for your help.

Carpenter's Bluff had a steep narrow ramp and parking area with a drop box for paying to use it and I used to drop my kayak in there often, but it's been years and last I heard it was no longer accessible. Not sure if that is true. You can still see it on Google Earth next to the old bridge. You might be able to launch on the OK side bank just below the Dam. Lots of shallow on that river. Going upstream from carpenters bluff I have gotten out and walked my kayak along in places when there was no water being released and had fast rides coming back downstream when the released water hit. You may have some limitations in a heavy 16. I mostly only saw airboats when on the river. I have been meaning to make a drive up there to scout for new safe parking kayak/canoe launch locations.

Oh, and you'll "enjoy" the narrow swaying single lane wood reinforced lane's bridge too... Going thru downtown Denison's RR tracks is a treat too...

It's been a very long time but I seem to remember an access point to the river further east, north of Honey Grove or Bonham.
Ron

there was one just at the dam, used it 3-4 times, been years

Oklahoma side at the dam.

I can confirm the carpenters bluff access is no longer there. Did a canoe trip several years ago and I researched that as a take out. Drive up to it and the house at the top of the hill burnt down and the gate was shut.

This is the correct answer. There are a few private ramps along TX side down river, but river would be far to low to even use at this time, even if you got permission. Also I can’t imagine a boat being able to be used currently. They are only releasing water when generating power and that’s a short window..

Anyone know of campgrounds or related with river access both above Texoma or downstream of Denison Dam? Though I have not had any trouble before, I am always nervous leaving my vehicle in that Love Valley WMA area upstream and at the bridge crossings downstream of the lake. Especially over night. When on the OK side at those remote kayak launch sites, I have been known to remove my front license plate and back in so I look local. There used to be a campground on the river downstream, but I can't find the website anymore. Another around Whitesboro apparently is no longer open.

John there was a campground associated with the ATV park just across the SH78 bridge north of Bonham. Don't know if it survived the new bridge construction though.

Thanks for the replies guys. I will check that spot out on the oklahoma side of the dam. I appreciate the information.

There are several campgrounds within a few miles of the dam. There was one directly across the river. East burns run , west burns run, and Eisenhower state park are all close.
I know that several guides launch air boats from the Oklahoma side there, just below the dam.

There are 2 campgrounds below the dam. On the Texas side right at the dam, pull down like your gonna fish the river. Camping is at the back end of the parking lot. They have water and electric. Looks like a decent place to me.

On the Oklahoma side there is a campground with good river access right at Hwy 75 and the river. That’s all I know about that one. Only seen it while in boat on river.

As for on the upper end of Texoma hood river access, I don’t know of any campgrounds, but Addington Bend on Oklahoma side has a boat ramp into river. But the river above & below lake is very low.