As of November 2023, the lake is very full. The real draw here is if the lake is low, exposing vast mudflats, typically August to October. There can be good passerine birding all around this lake especially during migration and winter. Taking the pink trail west into the Big Woods can yield mature deciduous loving species. There are some colossally large trees along Waxahachie Creek deep in these woods, if you bother to go that far. Taking your scope to the lake in low water, and then birding to the west of this area (both on the road and the pink trails) will yield the best results. Lake Bardwell recommendations in general: This spot for waders, shorebirds and terns, and winter passerines. Observation Overlook for ducks and LeConte's Sparrow. Buffalo Creek wetlands for sparrows, and other passerines.

Shorebirds, terns, wading birds. Barred Owl is likely on the pink trail. Hairy and Pileated Woodpeckers are possible. In the winter, mixed species flocks.

Rarely visited and isolated.  

The pink trail goes west all the way to Getzendaner Road where it crosses Waxahahcie Creek. It is four miles one way. It is possible to walk all the way to Waxahachie Creek Park, which is on the other side of the lake: A one way distance of eight miles. It is only sporadically maintained. In the late spring, sometimes unmowed grass around Lake Bardwell can be very high and make the trails wet and unpleasant. There are other parks, and other spur trails that lead to different parts of the lake. Lake Bardwell is an enigma in that there is so much public land here but is almost never used.