Little Elm, Texas, has all the comforts and coziness of a small town. At the same time, it offers the amenities of big cities like Dallas and Fort Worth, both within a short distance.
Thanks to the rapid development of this town, Little Elm has become a prime destination for families and young professionals. Little Elm has proven itself to be a diamond in the rough with great housing prices and stunning lakeside views.
About Little Elm
Little Elm is situated on the northern shores of Lewisville Lake in east central Denton County. This quaint northern town in the Lone Star State was first established in 1844 by Kit King.
King named his settlement after the elm trees that ran along the creek banks back then. Soon, he set up a postal service, a small schoolhouse, and a grocery store. Soon after, the residents focused on developing roads to help make Little Elm more accessible to Denton, Dallas, and beyond.
Facts about Little Elm
- Location: north central Texas, US
- County: Denton County
- Towns: part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex
- Land Area: 22.09 square miles
- Zip codes: 75068
- Population: 56,565 according to the 2022 census
- Crime rate: 718 per 100,000 population (71% below the national crime rate)
- Average Temperature June: high of 91℉, low of 72℉
- Average Temperature January: high of 56℉, low of 37℉
- Universities: University of Texas, West Coast University, University of North Texas
- Airports: Lakeview Airport, Aero Country Airport, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
- Best hotels: Omni Frisco, Renaissance Dallas, Best Western Premier Crown Chase Inn
- Best restaurants: Hula Hut, Wing Daddy’s Sauce House, Barney’s Brunch House
What’s Little Elm Known For?
Little Elm may be a modest town. Yet, there’s nothing modest about its shorelines. Lake Lewisville in Little Elm contains the most miles of shoreline in all of Texas, covering 233 miles and 29,000 acres.
- Its expansive shorelines provide an abundance of water sports and activities.
- Several extinct animal remains have been discovered near Lake Lewisville.
- The July Jubilee takes place on the lake to celebrate the Fourth of July.
- Pumpkin Hollow is Little Elm’s yearly Halloween family event.
- The Big Easy is a Mardi Gras-inspired event that takes place every year
People from Little Elm
- The Black-ish and Little actress, Marsai Martin
- US national team soccer player Weston McKennie
- Moonlight and Bird Box actor, Trevante Rhodes
- Buffalo Bills wide receiver, Cole Beasley
- Renowned mathematician and academic Samuel S. Wilks
Where is Little Elm?
Little Elm is a moderate-sized city in Denton County in northern Texas. Little Elm is considered a small part of the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex as an extended suburb of Dallas.
Nearby Locations
- Highland Village, TX is about 15 miles away
- Flower Mound, TX is about 25 miles away
- Arlington, TX is about 45 miles away
- Paris, TX is about 87 miles away
- Stephenville, TV is about 98 miles away
These are just a few spots and their approximate driving distance from Little Elm. The great thing is that this modest suburb is right in the center of many great locations, such as state parks, campgrounds, and lakes.
Layout of Little Elm
Little Elm lies at the crossroads between Eldorado Parkway, FM 423, and FM 720. The city is divided into zones and districts, with numerous streets intertwining. Yet, the majority are connected by one major road, Main Street.
Areas in Little Elm, Texas
- Frisco Hills
- Lakeview at Sunset Pointe
- Paloma Creek
- Reserve at Lakeview
- Union Park
These are just five of the best neighborhoods and subdivisions of Little Elm. The great thing about this town is that you get a sense of calmness and order everywhere you go.
Getting About Little Elm
With over 50,000 residents, Little Elm is quickly becoming a fast-growing suburb—one of the fastest in the DFW area. To keep up with the steady stream of newcomers, Little Elm has made it its mission to make transportation accessible to all ages and budgets.
| Transport | Route | time | cost |
| via taxi & tram | Taxi from Little Elm until North Carrollton/Frankford StationTram until West End Station | 1hr 6m | $42–$53 |
| via taxi | via the Dallas Parkway | 40m | $75–$90 |
| Driving | via the Dallas Parkway | 39m | $7–$9 |
| via Line 308 bus & taxi | Taxi from Little Elm until Dallas N TollwayLine 308 bus from Dallas N Tollway | 1h 7m | $32–$40 |
| via Line 239 bus & taxi | Taxi from Little Elm until Northwest Plano Park & RideLine 239 bus from Northwest Plano Park & ride until Cbd West Tc | 1h 24m | $32–$40 |
On Foot
In general, Little Elm isn’t known for being pedestrian friendly. Any place you need to go needs some sort of transport mode. Yet, once you get there, whether it’s a park, the lake, or a hiking trail, you can walk around to your heart’s content.
Public Transport
There are several reliable ways to get around Little Elm and neighboring areas. The town’s mass transit system includes bus and taxi services and ten train stations in and around the town.
If you like exploring independently, you can rent an electric bike or scooter.
Driving
Almost all places in Little Elm require some sort of vehicle to get to. So, it makes sense that having a car would be the most convenient option.
What to Do in Little Elm
Thanks to the city’s massive shoreline, there’s no shortage of activities and sports. For those looking for something else besides water sports, Little Elm has plenty of that.
- Lewisville Lake Park
- National Video Game Museum
- TX Ture Farm
- Hydrous Wake Water Park
- Johnny Broyles Natural Trail
Little Elm calls itself the ‘Town with a Lake Attitude.’ That says it all, don’t you think? Scroll down to find out more about each of these fun lakeside spots.
Lewisville Lake Park
Located on the southern shore of Lewisville Lake, this park spans over 622 acres. It’s managed by the City of Lewisville, another Dallas suburb within Denton County.
The park is about 18 miles south of Little Elm, about a 20-minute drive. You’ll find plenty of spots for a nice picnic, camping, and fishing there. There are also certain beaches open for swimming or just taking in the panoramic view of the lake.
National Video Game Museum
You must visit this museum if you want a change from all the outdoor activities. It’s one of the unique attractions of Little Elm, located a few miles just outside the city.
What started as a traveling museum in 1999 is now one of the highlights of Little Elm. It showcases bright, colorful exhibits that display the history of video games. As you walk in, you get a handful of coins to play games for a truly interactive experience.
TX Ture Farm
The TX Ture Farm is just a few minutes outside Little Elm and is one of the town’s main year-round attractions. Here, you and your family can walk around and enjoy breathtaking fields of lavender, a Christmas tree farm, and many gorgeous nature trails.
This family-operated farm is also home to several llamas and alpacas. You can also walk around the trails with these friendly animals and feed treats along the way. It’s all part of the ‘Alpaca Experience’ offered by the farm’s gracious hosts.
Hydrous Wake Water Park
Located on the shores of Lake Lewisville, this park is where the entire family can experience wakeboarding on artificially made waves.
You can book a private wakeboarding class and training sessions if you’re a beginner. Yet, if you’re a bit more experienced, just jump in the waiting lines and get started!
There are other fun water activities besides wakeboarding, including large inflatable slides for kids of all ages.
Johnny Broye’s Natural Trail
This beautiful trail starts at the north end of Little Elm Park and ends at Main Street. It consists of a hike and bike trail that’s about 10 feet wide and one and a quarter-mile long.
The path starts as a mile of solid concrete. Then, the remaining quarter mile is crushed granite. This fairly easy trail is all about relaxing, taking it easy, and enjoying the abundance of nature around you.
Where to Eat
- Hula Hut
- Romas Pizza and Pasta
- Leo’s Brunch House
- Waters Edge Cafe
- Sunny Street Cafe
Where to Stay
- Holiday Inn Express and Suites Dallas Lewisville
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Dallas-Fort Worth Airport Marriott
- Comfort Suites Lewisville
- Hilton Garden Inn Dallas Lewisville
Little Elm FAQs
Is Little Elm a good place to live?
Recent statistics show that Little Elm scored 88 out of 100 on its livability scoring test. It also ranks as one of the top 10 cities in the US to live because of its affordable home prices and family-friendly neighborhoods.
Is Little Elm safe?
According to the FBI annual Uniform Crime Report, Little Elm is among the top 20 safest cities nationwide. This city is even getting national acclaim for its city-wide focus on its efforts to reduce crime rates and keep its residents safe.
Is Little Elm worth visiting?
Little Elm may be a small city, but it’s worth a visit. It’s filled with fun, exciting things to do and places to explore. So, try to set aside a day to check out this charming town.
Sources:
- Coyote Ranch Resort: www.coyoteranchresort.com
- Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex: www.comptroller.texas.gov
- Crime rate: www.ucr.fbi.gov
- Planning Excellence award: www.littleelm.org
Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.
