You can drive the dam road and scope the lake.  Also check the woods at the east end of the dam.

The boat launch has been closed and the property sold to private owners.  You can still bird the woods from the road south of this location and view the lake from the dam.

Lake Jacksonville is a reservoir built in 1957 by damming Gum Creek, a tributary of the Neches River. The lake has a surface area of 1,320 acres and a maximum depth of 62 feet. It is a popular destination for fishing, camping, swimming, and boating. The Jacksonville Municipal Water Supply manages Lake Jacksonville. The City of Jacksonville maintains the Lake Jacksonville Recreational Area.

The highways to Lake Jacksonville are on the west side of the lake, follow TX-79 West to FM-747. On the east side of the lake, take College Avenue (past Lon Morris College) to the concession area (about 3 miles). For other southeast areas, follow South Bolton to FM-347 and then continue on FM-2138.