Lake Gilmer at a Glance
About Lake Gilmer
Lake Gilmer is a small but beloved reservoir near Gilmer — the Upshur County seat and the city that hosts one of East Texas's most enduring traditions: the East Texas Yamboree. This sweet potato festival, held every October since 1935, draws tens of thousands of visitors to Gilmer each fall for carnival rides, the Yamboree Queen coronation, live music, and sweet potato-themed everything. It's one of the most genuinely fun small-town festivals in Texas.
At approximately 797 acres, Lake Gilmer is one of the smaller lakes in our network, but it has an established residential community along its shores and provides a quiet, accessible waterfront lifestyle at prices that represent some of the most affordable in the greater Longview-Marshall lake district. Both Longview (25 miles) and Marshall (30 miles) provide full city services for lake property owners.
Gilmer itself has a charming courthouse-square downtown with local restaurants, hardware, and a friendly community character. The Upshur County area is known for poultry farming, timber, and a conservative, family-oriented community that prizes outdoor recreation and strong local traditions.
Why Buy on Lake Gilmer?
- East Texas Yamboree every October — one of Texas's best small-town festivals right in your backyard
- Very affordable waterfront — one of the lowest entry points in the Longview-Marshall lake district
- Gilmer's genuine small-town character — courthouse square, local diners, and a tight-knit community
- Longview and Marshall both within 30 miles — dual urban options for medical, shopping, and services
- Quiet, low-traffic lake — small size keeps boat traffic minimal and the atmosphere peaceful
The Real Estate Market
Lake Gilmer is one of the most affordable lake markets in Northeast Texas. Waterfront lots start around $45,000-$65,000. Basic lake homes and cabins with water access run $70,000-$160,000. The upper end of the market — nicer established homes with good dock access — reaches $200,000-$250,000. The Yamboree season each October is the best time to see the community at its most vibrant.
Fishing & Recreation
Lake Gilmer offers quality bass, catfish, crappie, and bream fishing in a relaxed, uncrowded setting. The lake's small size means you can thoroughly cover all the productive structure in a few hours. Spring bass and crappie are the seasonal highlights. Catfishing is consistent year-round. Light fishing pressure means fish populations are healthy relative to the lake's carrying capacity.
Getting There
From Gilmer: the lake is approximately 3-5 miles from downtown — about 5-10 minutes via county roads. From Longview: take US-271 North to Gilmer — about 25 minutes. From Marshall: take US-80 West to Longview, then US-271 North — about 35 minutes. From Tyler: take TX-135 North through Overton and Henderson to Gilmer — about 50 minutes.
Lake Gilmer Properties For Sale
Active listings from licensed East Texas brokers. View all listings →
Featured$265,000
Lake Lot$45K
Lake Home$155,000Communities & Nearby Towns
Gilmer, TX
The Upshur County seat, right next to the lake. Gilmer is famous for the East Texas Yamboree and has a charming historic courthouse square, local restaurants, and schools (Gilmer ISD). A friendly, community-oriented small city.
Longview, TX
25 miles south, Longview provides Good Shepherd Medical Center, East Texas Regional Airport, and all major retail — the primary urban hub for Lake Gilmer residents who need full city services.
Buying on Lake Gilmer — What to Know
- Verify the permitting authority for Lake Gilmer — dock and shoreline modification permits typically go through the city or county water authority.
- The Yamboree brings significant traffic to Gilmer in October — if you're visiting to evaluate properties, timing your visit around the festival gives you a great sense of the community.
- Road access to some lake areas involves county roads — verify year-round condition and maintenance before purchasing.
- Both Longview and Marshall provide hospital access — understand which is closer to your specific property for emergency planning.
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