Mammoth North Texas Lake Ranch Hits the Market With a $24.5 Million Asking Price: Rare Private Wonderland Makes Central Park Look Like a Postage Stamp

An epic North Texas ranch just went up for grabs, and it’s one that’s sure to leave a big splash. The $24.5 million asking price may seem steep, but the ranch includes its own exclusive, completely private lake.

That’s right. The next owner of Valley Lake Ranch gets 1,080-plus acres of manmade lake. And man, you’ll have it made. The pristine water is the ranch land’s crown jewel, a veritable recreational oasis perfect for kayaking, jet skiing, sailing, boating and even scuba diving. The lake ranges in depth but goes down as far as 38 feet deep in parts, perfect for a dive.

The massive lake for your eyes and your eyes only is surrounded by roughly 1,100 acres of nearly raw land — the overall 2,245-acre property (including the lake) comes in at approximately two and half times the size of New York’s Central Park. The scenic rolling terrain is immediately south of the Red River. Between the lake and the gentle hills, this spot is as unique as it gets.

Valley Lake Ranch sprawls over land at the county line between Grayson and Fannin counties, just one hour north of Dallas. You’ll find some buildings scattered here and there — some barns and a small office building. But overall, it’s a blank slate —  an excellent build site in booming North Texas with virtually endless options. There’s even an airstrip on the property that can be modified to be put back into working order.

But why would you ever want to leave the expansive, clear lake? It’s a paradise for the angler at heart, an outstanding, prolific fishery brimming with largemouth bass, crappie, drum and catfish. And it’s got the proof to back it up. Over the course of three days, six fishermen caught more than 300 largemouth bass in it.

There’s easy access to the glimmering lake no matter where you are, with entry points on either side. Multiple inlets, creek channels and cove add to its variety.

The sprawling property is owned by the utility firm Luminant, which built the lake to cool off a power plant in the 1950s. The lake is almost as large as White Rock Lake.

When you decide to come up onto dry land, you can delight in the flora and fauna across the impressive 100 feet of elevation change. The heavily wooded oak and elm forests complement the sporadic pastureland, ideal for grazing cattle. The existing wildlife is abundant, with whitetail deer, bobcats, coyotes, feral hogs, dove and even American bald eagles. And while there’s fishing on the water, there’s ample opportunity for bow hunting on land.

It’s time to kick back and take in the view. It’s a paradise in the heart of North Texas — and you don’t have to share. It’s the epitome of lakeside living.

Take a deep breath. You’re in for one breathtaking sunset.

Dallas-based Hortenstine Ranch Company is handling the sale. Potential buyers have until October 12 to submit bids.