Is there anything better than beating the Texas heat by being on the water all day? Grapevine Lake is known for its party scene, and has been for many decades. There are nice parks around Grapevine Lake that are family friendly, but Grapevine Lake has evolved into a city lake surrounded by wealthy subdivisions. This has created a culture of fun on the water during weekends in the summer time.

Does Grapevine Lake Have a Party Cove?

Yes, Grapevine Lake has a party cove on the western end between Trophy Club, Texas, and Roanoke, Texas. 

Where Is the Party Cove at Grapevine Lake?

The Grapevine Lake party cove can get wild. Alcohol is commonly a part of party cove. Grapevine Lake is known for waterfront establishments where parties happen all over the lake. 

The Grapevine Lake party cove is on the southwest shores in the northwest area of Grapevine Lake off of a peninsula between Roanoke, and Trophy Club, Texas.  There is no way to get to the party cove on land because this party cove is off of the Trophy Club, Texas, shores. 

Trophy Club is a wealthy town with its own security. Roanoke has also grown down to the shores in the party cove area with subdivisions. It is all city in the area of the party cove. Roanoke has a responsive police force. 

Even though Grapevine Lake is surrounded by cities with an upscale lifestyle, there are a few areas around the lake where you can get out and enjoy nature and find places for private parties too. Grapevine Lake is not too big, and the party cove is easy to find. 

Who Patrols Grapevine Lake?

The towns of Coppell, Grapevine, Flower Mound, Roanoke, Southlake, Trophy Club, and Westlake surround Grapevine Lake. Each town has its own police force and security services. 

The Flower Mound Police Department utilizes lake patrols to ensure the safety of boaters on Grapevine Lake. The Grapevine Patrol Operations unit utilizes mountain bikes and ATVs to patol the parks within the Grapevine city limits. 

Lake Assault Boats, a leading manufacturer of purpose-built and mission-specific patrol, rescue, and fireboats, delivered a 22-foot craft to the Flower Mound Police Department located on the northern shores of Grapevine Lake in June 2020. This vessel provides patrol and emergency response services on Grapevine Lake.

Can You Have Alcohol on Grapevine Lake?

It is legal to have open alcoholic containers on boats, but illegal for the boat operator or captain cannot have a blood alcohol content (BAC) at above 0.08 percent.

Yes, you can have alcohol on Grapevine Lake, but driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can result in arrests charges. A Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) is like a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest and conviction. This law also applies to personal watercraft. 

How Do BUI Laws Work in Texas?

Those born after September 1, 1993 are required by law to have completed a Boater Education course to operate a personal watercraft (PWC) or boat with more than 15 horsepower in Texas, according to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). 

Most boating accidents in the U.S. are caused by people who have not taken a boater education course. Boater education courses are offered by several organizations including the U.S. Coast Guard. They are offered online and in classrooms. 

While carrying open containers of alcohol on a boat is legal in Texas, drinking and boating is against the law. The BAC limitation for boating and drinking is identical to limits for drinking and driving. A BAC above 0.08 is considered operating or boating while intoxicated.

Boating While Intoxicated is considered a misdemeanor, but a BWI charge can result in confinement in jail and the assessment of fines, which according to TPWD, include the following:

• First offense – Up to $2,000 fine, 180-days incarceration or both.
• Second offense – Up to $4,000 fine, one-year incarceration or both.
• Third offense – Up to $10,000 fine and incarceration between two and 10 years.

Boating while intoxicated can have direct effects on the status of the arrested person’s driver’s license. The driver’s license of the person arrested may be suspended, and the person arrested may receive additional points on his or her license. A first-time offense typically results in an automatic driver’s license suspension of 180 days. 

How Can Boating While Intoxicated Result in the Suspension of Your Driver’s License?

A person is not required to provide a blood or breath specimen if suspected of boating while intoxicated in Texas. In order to obtain a specimen against the will of a person under suspicion of boating while intoxicated, a search warrant must be signed by a judge. 

Refusal to provide a breath or blood specimen will result in the automatic suspension of your driver’s license. An automatic suspension is applied if the person arrested was operating a boat or PWC with an engine of more than 50 horsepower.

Boating laws in Texas are built to strongly discourage Boating While Intoxicated, especially since open containers are allowed on boats. You could face severe penalties if you are arrested and convicted of Boating While Intoxicated. You will need a lawyer. 

Where to Take Boater Education Courses

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department:

https://tpwd.texas.gov/education/boater-education/boater-education-online-courses

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary:

http://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/

Boat US:

https://www.boatus.org/texas/

Boat Ed:

https://www.boat-ed.com/