Possum Kingdom Lake Boat Rentals, Marinas & Swimming
Rent a boat, launch your own or find a swim beach
Possum Kingdom Lake is made for a day on the water. It has clear water, limestone cliffs and more than 300 miles of shoreline. According to the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, the lake needs no boat permits and charges no ramp fees.
Our six cabins at 1782 FM 2951 in Graford are across the road from the lake. A public boat ramp is across the street, and there’s boat trailer parking at the cabins. This guide covers where to rent a boat, where to launch your own and where to swim. We don’t list rental prices because they change, so call the marina for current rates.
Where to rent a boat
- Bonita Shores Marina (1800 FM 2951, next door to the cabins) rents pontoons and tritoons. Call 940-779-2203 for availability and rates.
- The Cliffs Marina (1070 Cliffs Dr, Graford, about 25 minutes by car) rents 24-foot Berkshire pontoons and tritoons, Sea-Doo personal watercraft and water toys. Rentals come with life jackets, and boats include one tube. There’s a 2-hour minimum, with some flexibility on weekdays. From Labor Day to Memorial Day, rentals run on Fridays and Saturdays only. Call 940-779-2308.
- Bluff Creek Marina (1119 Marina Point Dr, Strawn) rents Berkshire tritoons for up to 13 people, Sea-Doos, kayaks and paddleboards, plus wakeboards, water skis and tubes. Rentals have a 2-hour minimum, and the marina is closed on Mondays. It’s about a mile from Hell’s Gate by water. Call or text 940-779-3911.
- Possum Kingdom State Park store, on the west side of the lake, rents boats, kayaks, paddle boats and boat slips. Call (940) 521-9128.
Staying several days? The Cliffs Marina and Bluff Creek Marina both offer multi-day rentals, but you’ll need a place to tie up the boat each night, and both marinas say their rental boats can’t be run at night. Motorboat Inn Marina, across the street from the cabins, rents daily boat slips.
Before you rent: boater education
In Texas, anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 needs a boater education certificate to run a personal watercraft or a boat with more than 15 horsepower on their own. Courses are available online through Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Marinas can add their own rules on top of state law. Bluff Creek Marina, for example, requires operators to be 21 or older. Bring a valid driver’s license and a credit card, and ask about age rules when you book.
Marinas near the cabins
- Motorboat Inn Marina (1777 FM 2951) sits next to Brazos River Authority Ramp #3, across the street from the cabins. It has 24/7 self-serve pumps with ethanol-free 91 octane fuel, daily and long-term slip rentals, and ice, drinks and lake gear. Call (940) 260-7874.
- Bonita Shores Marina (1800 FM 2951) is next door and rents pontoons and tritoons.
- The Cliffs Marina has a ship store with snacks, drinks and boating safety gear such as life jackets.
Public boat ramps (no ramp fees)
The Brazos River Authority (BRA) runs the public boat ramps on Possum Kingdom Lake. The ones closest to the cabins:
- BRA Ramp #3 (1775 FM 2951), across the street from the cabins, has a ramp, an accessible restroom, a courtesy dock, and parking for vehicles and boat trailers. It’s free.
- Sandy Beach (2291 FM 2951), about a mile east, has a boat ramp next to the swim beach.
- Scenic Cove (3401 Scenic Point Rd, near Hemmingway’s) has a ramp and a swim area. It’s free and open year-round.
- West Side Ramp (5465 FM 1148) is the BRA’s ramp on the far side of the lake.
Bringing your own boat
Tow it in and leave the trailer at the cabin. There’s boat trailer parking at the cabins, and the BRA ramp is across the street. Fuel is available 24/7 at Motorboat Inn Marina, and you can rent a slip there if you’d rather keep the boat in the water.
Before you launch, remember Texas’s clean, drain and dry rule. Anyone leaving or approaching public fresh water must drain all water from the boat, including livewells, bilges and motors. Planning to fish? See our Possum Kingdom fishing guide.
Where to swim
- The community pool at the cabins is open from 8 AM to 10 PM, a short walk from the cabins.
- Sandy Beach (2291 FM 2951, about a mile east) has a designated swimming area, 30 covered picnic shelters with grills, a playground for ages 2 to 12, and accessible restrooms with showers. From May 20 through September 5 it’s day-use only, 8 AM to 8 PM. From mid-May to mid-September, entry on weekends and holidays is $3 per person, and kids under 13 get in free.
- BRA Area #4 North D&D (2051 FM 2951) has showers and a playground. The same $3 weekend and holiday summer fee applies, and kids under 13 are free.
- BRA Area #4 South D&D (2969 FM 2951) has a swim area and a fishing pier, with no fee.
- Scenic Cove (3401 Scenic Point Rd) has a free swim area that’s open year-round.
- Bug Beach (2760 Frontier Unit Rd) has a free swim area.
- Possum Kingdom State Park has a swimming area on the west side of the lake. Park entry fees apply.
Glass containers aren’t allowed in BRA public use areas, so pack cans and plastic, and bring your own charcoal for the grills.
Water safety
- Life jackets: Texas law requires children under 13 to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while a boat under 26 feet is underway.
- No cliff jumping: the BRA prohibits diving or jumping from 20 feet or higher anywhere on the lake, including at Hell’s Gate.
- No-wake zones: boats must run at slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of shore, docks, swimmers and occupied boats.
- Accidents: call 911 first. The BRA’s Possum Kingdom Lake office is at 940-779-2321.
Stay across the road from the ramp
Our six cabins, including Marina Vista, are in the same community across the road from the lake, with the public boat ramp across the street.
| Cabin | Sleeps | Private hot tub |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Escape Cabin | 6 | Yes |
| Beneath The Stars | 6 | Yes |
| Bearpaw Cabin | 8 | Yes |
| All Decked Out | 8 | No |
| Marina Vista | 8 | No |
| Lake Sippin | 8 | No |
Every cabin has a full kitchen, a washer and dryer, Wi-Fi and a grill. Coming with more than one boat? Book several cabins for your group. Three cabins have private hot tubs for after a day on the water. For restaurants and trails, see things to do near Possum Kingdom Lake.
Boating and swimming FAQ
Do you need a permit or pay a fee to launch a boat on Possum Kingdom Lake?
No. According to the Possum Kingdom Chamber of Commerce, the lake requires no boat permits and charges no ramp fees. Brazos River Authority Ramp #3 is across the street from the cabins.
Where can I rent a boat near the cabins?
Bonita Shores Marina, next door at 1800 FM 2951, rents pontoons and tritoons. The Cliffs Marina and Bluff Creek Marina rent pontoons or tritoons and Sea-Doos, and the Possum Kingdom State Park store rents boats, kayaks and paddle boats.
Can I park my boat trailer at the cabins?
Yes. There's boat trailer parking at the cabins, and the public boat ramp is across the street.
Do I need a boater education card to rent a boat or jet ski in Texas?
If you were born on or after September 1, 1993, Texas requires a boater education certificate to run a personal watercraft or a boat over 15 horsepower on your own. Some marinas have their own age rules, so ask when you book.
Where can I swim near the cabins?
The community pool at the cabins is open from 8 AM to 10 PM. Sandy Beach, a Brazos River Authority swim beach, is about a mile east, and there are free swim areas at Scenic Cove, South D&D and Bug Beach.
Where can I get boat fuel?
Motorboat Inn Marina, across the street from the cabins at 1777 FM 2951, has 24/7 self-serve ethanol-free 91 octane fuel.
Can you jump off the cliffs at Possum Kingdom Lake?
The Brazos River Authority prohibits diving or jumping from 20 feet or higher on Possum Kingdom Lake.
Ready to book? Start with any cabin: Lake Escape · Beneath The Stars · Bearpaw · All Decked Out · Marina Vista · Lake Sippin. Each page has photos, amenities and a Check Availability button.