Lake Conroe: a hotspot for year-round outdoor recreation
Within the forested expanse of East Texas, Lake Conroe offers a leisurely and luxurious lifestyle by the water that appeals to those seeking an escape from the urban environment of Houston, while still being close enough to the city for work or play. Whether folks commute 50 miles south to downtown Houston or work at one of the oil refineries in the area, living on Lake Conroe means coming home to watch the orange sunset over the lake. The man-made lake is about 21 miles long and attracts a base of year-round residents and visitors from Houston and beyond. The waterfront buzzes with activity, with boaters often stopping to admire the grand waterfront properties. Although Lake Conroe offers a vacation-like lifestyle, most homes are primary residences. The housing stock varies widely, ranging from single-family homes under $100,000 to waterfront estates that can exceed $7 million. Residents enjoy activities like fishing, boating and waterfront dining in addition to events like Fourth of July fireworks. Instead of just visiting Lake Conroe on long weekends, locals can kick back with their feet in the sand every day. And with Interstate 45 nearby, residents also have easy access to get their big-city fix.
Golfing, swimming in the lake & hiking Sam Houston National Forest
Recreation on the lake ranges from leisurely sunbathing to going turbo-mode on the jet ski. Scott’s Ridge Swim Area, located at the northern end of the lake, is a public swimming spot open April through September. This area also has a public boat ramp, which is open all year. Folks on a pontoon or kayak may spot some wildlife: the lake is home to birds and non-aggressive aquatic snakes. Alligators living in the northern, undeveloped part of the lake typically avoid the more developed southern shores where Lake Conroe Beach Park is located. Day passes cost $8 at this 13-acre park, where people can swim, grill burgers and cast fishing lines. Anglers can find bass in the lake, and there are several marinas for boaters to dock their watercraft.
Lake Conroe also offers lots of land-based recreation. Sam Houston National Forest surrounds the northern part of Lake Conroe. The Lone Star Hiking Trail – the longest hiking trail in Texas – winds through the tall pine trees. Golfers can choose between the several public and private courses, situated both along the lake and closer to the town of Conroe. Some subdivisions, like Walden on Lake Conroe, have their own recreation facilities, such as community pools and tennis courts.
Waterfront views available at several price points
Condo complexes, gated communities and golfing communities comprise just some of the subdivisions surrounding Lake Conroe. Custom single-family homes, some built as recently as 2025, are typically designed with new traditional elements. Home prices range widely and depend on a variety of factors, primarily size. Homes in the $70,000 to $140,000 range include older builds from the 1980s that are typically smaller, with prices climbing for newer, larger construction. Most homes cost under $560,000 and typically have between two and three bedrooms. Homes starting at $600,000 tend to have at least four bedrooms, increasing in size into the millions and peaking at about $7 million. Grandiose estates over $1 million have lakefront views, but lower price points may also have similar vantage points.
Subdivisions have different rules and regulations regarding property appearances and private boat slips, and many have HOAs with annual dues. Most people live on the south side of the lake, where bulkheads prevent erosion and protect properties from the water’s edge; homeowners may be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the bulkheads. Homeowners might also need to pay for pest control services to get rid of mosquitoes, especially on the waterfront. When it comes to crime, the area’s overall CAP Index Crime Score is 3 out of 10, lower than the national figure of 4.
Condos and townhouses range from about $95,000 to $850,000, with higher price points providing more square footage and waterfront views. Manufactured homes are primarily clustered in the northern part of Lake Conroe, ranging from $50,000 to $425,000, depending on size.
Lake Conroe is evenly split between two school districts
Students living on the west side of Lake Conroe are zoned for Montgomery Independent School District, rated A on Niche. This highly regarded district has seven elementary schools and two junior high schools. The district’s only high school, Montgomery High, has a Marine Corps JROTC program. Willis Independent School District, rated B, serves those on Lake Conroe’s east side. This district includes six elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. For a nearby private option serving kindergarteners through seniors, Lifestyle Christian School is rated A.
Lake Conroe’s waterfront dining and nearby shopping
The lake is not only the center of recreation; it’s also a hub for dining. “There’s socialization around the lake with several locations where you can drive your boat up and eat,” says Melissa Perez-Mueller, a Realtor at Keller Williams Realty who specializes in Lake Conroe and the surrounding areas. Papa’s on the Lake is one of those spots: it’s party-central, with its pool tables and live bands playing weekly. Folks at Papa’s can kick back with a burger and a beer while watching the sunset from the deck. Fajita Jack’s also has pier for guests arriving by watercraft. This restaurant serves Tex-Mex food and has a full bar with HDTVs and daily drink specials. For groceries, there is a Kroger on both the east and west sides of the lake. On Saturday mornings, Montgomery Farmers Market offers locally made products like organic herbal tea and raw honey, in addition to fresh vegetables and meats. A few miles southeast of Lake Conroe, Historic Downtown Conroe is home to small businesses, art galleries and taverns. Complimentary buses shuttle passengers between Conroe and Lake Conroe on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Events and attractions at Lake Conroe
Entertainment is easy to find at Lake Conroe, between musicians performing at restaurants and boat shows at the marinas. “Right on the lake, Margaritaville is a brand-name resort hotel and restaurant area; it’s definitely an attraction,” Perez-Mueller says. Locals can purchase day passes to lounge around Margaritaville’s amenities and water park, which features waterslides and a lazy river. There are fireworks over the lake every Fourth of July, a particularly popular day to be out on the water for locals and visitors alike.
Driving to Houston and surrounding areas
Lake Conroe is a car-dependent area. Two bridges cross the lake to connect the east and west sides. Highway 105 stretches along the south side of the lake, leading into Conroe, where drivers can connect with Interstate 45. I-45 takes drivers about 50 miles to Downtown Houston and 45 miles to George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Emergency care is roughly 20 miles away at HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe. For those in search of bigger waves than the lake can offer, residents can travel to the Gulf Coast for the weekend: Galveston is about 100 miles southeast.
Living with the heat, wind and storms
As is fairly standard for Southeast Texas, residents here can expect hot summer temperatures with higher-than-average humidity. High wind gusts are possible during thunderstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes. Although hurricanes aren’t an annual expectation, the lake is engineered to combat them for those times when named storms do come ashore. The dam lowers the lake depth to prepare for hurricane season as a method of flood control. However, because of the proximity to the lake, the potential for flooding is a concern. “Some of the homes here don’t have a flooding problem at all,” Perez-Mueller says. “The majority of people choose to have flood insurance, but living around the lake doesn’t require it.”
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brian Simpson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
John Burge Park
Seven Coves Park
Blue Coast Lake
Lakeview Club at Water Crest
Water Crest Dog Park
Wedgewood Park
The Meadows Park In Bentwater
Transit
Airport
George Bush Intcntl/Houston
60 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lake Conroe
US
Homicide
2
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lake Conroe, Conroe sell after 59 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Lake Conroe, Conroe over the last 12 months is $439,972, consistent with the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This amazing home is located in an exclusive golf course community at Del Lago/Margaritaville Lake Conroe Resort, This pristine 4 bedroom home w/study (or 5 bed home), has a great view of the 17th hole! Mature trees surround the home that provide shaded comfort to keep you cool and is easy on the monthly electric bill. Recent Upgrades include; Kitchen/baths all new 3 cm quartz counters (2024);
Welcome to this beautifully designed custom one-story luxury home in the prestigious Bentwater community on Lake Conroe. Thoughtfully crafted with high soaring ceilings, spacious open-concept living, and a chef’s kitchen built for entertaining, this home offers a perfect blend of comfort and style. Enjoy hosting in the expansive living areas or relax in the peaceful surroundings of this private,
Secluded custom estate on a 1-acre cul-de-sac lot in prestigious Grand Harbor—just steps from Lake Conroe. This home includes a private guest casita and a 3-car garage with ample covered and open parking and porte-cochère. Inside, enjoy extensive upgrades: plantation shutters, crown molding, wine grotto, gourmet kitchen with double ovens, built-in fridge, 5-burner gas cooktop, and oversized
Discover this lovely 4-bedroom home in the gated community of Pebble Glen. The living room, dining room, and office/study feature hardwood flooring. The kitchen boasts granite countertops, double ovens, a gas cooktop, a walk-in pantry, an island, and a butler's pantry. Enjoy high ceilings with crown molding and a cozy gas fireplace.The primary retreat is perfect for relaxation, complete
This stunning Mediterranean estate on 1.6 acres overlooks a private 12-acre lake stocked with trophy bass. Featuring 4 to 5 bedrooms, each with ensuite baths and walk-in closets, plus a full pool bath, this home offers the perfect blend of luxury and comfort. The first-floor owner’s retreat is just steps from the resort-style pool and hot tub, with a private workout room/office nearby, complete
Welcome to your dream home in the prestigious Estates of Bentwater, where luxury meets comfort in an exquisite setting. This stunning 4-bedroom, 5-bathroom house spans an impressive 4130 square feet, offering ample space not just to live, but to thrive. As you step inside, you are greeted by the high craftsmanship present in every corner of the house. Living here is like having your very own
Home built in 2023 by Quality Custom Homes. Super nice 2 story 3/2.5 in Lake Conroe Village. This charming. home has an open floor plan with a 2 story open living/family room. Tons of natural light flow through this home. Very functional kitchen with stainless appliances, soft close cabinets and drawers, granite countertops, island, 42 inch wood cabinets, and high quality fixtures through out
Pristine never lived in 2 bed, 2 bath home with modern amenities including washer, dryer, refrigerator, and 1 car garage. Fully fenced yard with upgrades like sprinkler system and blinds. Conveniently located near shopping, grocery stores, and top-rated schools. Enjoy peaceful surroundings close to city conveniences. Carpeted bedrooms, all tile floors, beautiful landscaping, and gutters. Alta is
Open the door to your two or three-bedroom ranch or townhome and feel the freedom of rental living at its best. The Everstead at Conroe isn’t your typical apartment complex. Here, we’ve put in the effort to challenge your perceptions of what rental living can look like. The beautifully designed homes, at The Everstead at Conroe, have all the features and fine finishes you would expect from an
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Brian Simpson,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
65,657
Median Age
46
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
25.3%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$95,645
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$123,732
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
94.3%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
39.7%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.8%
% Population in Labor Force
61.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
51''
Average Winter Low Temperature
42°F
Average Summer High Temperature
95°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
