10 Secluded Summer Vacations A Drive From Dallas

If sheltering at home is giving you cabin fever, it might be time to get out of the house and drive to an actual cabin. While staying at home remains the safest and most responsible option to contain the spread of COVID-19, the boutique destinations listed below offer a socially distanced getaway with far fewer communal areas and points of contact than traditional hotels. Your best bet for a safe trip is to find a location you can reach without stopping. Only travel with people in your so-called bubble. Limit exposure to strangers—it’s not time to check into a resort and book a spa treatment—and wear a mask in places where you can’t.

Whether you’re booking a mini honeymoon after your Zoom wedding or just enjoying a weekend on the lake, there’s a way to fulfill your summer travel plans with care. It’s just going to be a little different this time around. Let us help you.

Lake Grapevine

Grapevine is known for sprawling hotel-entertainment complexes like Great Wolf Lodge and the Gaylord Texan Resort, but there’s plenty to explore away from those crowds. Aside from the usual boating and fishing every lake offers, Lake Grapevine also has some of the most extensive hiking trails in the area. Take the day to hike the 9.5 mile North Shore Trail from Rockledge Park to Twin Coves Park or browse other trails here. If you’re not feeling adventurous enough for a hike in the wild, stroll down the Grapevine Public Art Trail through Historic Downtown Grapevine. (Cross the street or mask up when you see others.)

Our Favorites:

• Lake Cottage Decorated in black and white from the inside out with one bedroom and one bath. A front porch and back patio provides a space for enjoying self-cooked meals with a partner or family. From $199/night. 4 guests. Walkable distance from the lake.
• Jolly Cabin Eclectic, antique knickknacks overrun every room in this four bed, four bath cabin, giving it a quirky summer camp feeling. From $575/night. 8 guests. Walkable distance from the lake.

Lake Lewisville

With two nature preserves adjacent to the lake, this area offers a disconnect you may be needing after checking your increasing screen time. For $5 per vehicle, check out the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area’s (LLELA) outdoor activities including fishing, wildlife viewing, and kayaking. With educational features like the Pocket Prairie Pollinator Garden and a log cabin, a trip to LLELA could even count as homeschooling. For more hiking, head to Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. Those looking to catch some waves can visit Hydrous Wake Park, which is enforcing social distancing guidelines with a 16-person limit per two-hour session. Wrap up your days with a lakefront picnic at Little Elm Park. Stay the hell away from Party Cove.