The best-known gated communities in Dallas-Fort Worth include Vaquero, Quail Hollow and Terra Bella in Westlake; Starwood and The Hills of Kingswood in Frisco; Glen Abbey in North Dallas; Chateau Du Lac on Grapevine Lake; Montclair Parc in Colleyville; Cottonwood Valley in Las Colinas; and Mira Vista, Montserrat and Montrachet in west Fort Worth. Several of these appeared on Country Club Magazine's October 2025 list of the most expensive gated communities in Texas, with Vaquero ranked first and described as a 525-acre, 24/7 guard-gated enclave where homes routinely trade above $10 million.
At The Agency Dallas, our agents work with buyers and sellers in gated communities across North Texas. This guide gives an overview by area, explains the difference between gate types and covers what to check before buying.
What are the top gated communities in each part of DFW?
Westlake and Southlake
- Vaquero (Westlake). A guard-gated community of about 298 homes around a golf course designed by a nationally known golf architect, per the Town of Westlake.
- Quail Hollow (Westlake). About 96 estate homes on lots over one acre across 188 acres, described by Country Club Magazine as guard-gated around the clock.
- Terra Bella (Westlake). A gated subdivision of 28 lots on about 55 acres.
- Glenwyck Farms (Westlake). A private community on more than 100 wooded acres with homesites from about 0.8 to over one acre.
For more, see the gated communities in Westlake and Southlake.
Frisco
- Starwood. A 550-acre, guard-gated neighborhood.
- The Hills of Kingswood. A guard-gated community listed among the state's most expensive gated enclaves.
See the most expensive neighborhoods in Frisco for context.
Dallas, Irving and the mid-cities
- Glen Abbey (North Dallas). A guard-gated enclave of fewer than 50 homes.
- Cottonwood Valley (Las Colinas, Irving). A gated golf community of about 450 homes developed in the 1980s.
- Montclair Parc (Colleyville). A guard-gated neighborhood of roughly 74 homes around a central park with tiered lakes.
- Chateau Du Lac (Grapevine Lake area). A guard-gated enclave of multimillion-dollar estates.
West Fort Worth
- Mira Vista. A golf community with a 24-hour guarded gate.
- Montserrat. A guard-gated enclave of about 330 acres.
- Montrachet. A guard-gated community of about 243 acres.
See the best guard-gated luxury neighborhoods in Fort Worth for a deeper look.
What is the difference between guard-gated and gated?
"Gated" covers several setups, and the difference matters for privacy and cost:
- Guard-gated (staffed). A gatehouse staffed by security personnel, often around the clock. Highest privacy and highest HOA cost.
- Controlled-access gate. An unstaffed gate opened with codes, remotes or callboxes. More privacy than an open street, at a lower cost.
- Private streets without a gate. Some exclusive enclaves rely on private roads, low traffic and layout rather than a physical gate.
What should I check before buying in a gated community?
- HOA dues and reserves. Staffed gates, private streets and shared amenities are expensive. Review the budget, reserve study and any planned special assessments. See how HOA fees work in North Texas.
- Private street maintenance. In many gated communities, the HOA, not the city, maintains streets and drainage.
- Access rules. Gate procedures affect guests, deliveries, contractors, showings and inspections.
- Club membership. In golf communities, membership is usually separate from owning a home.
- Architectural controls. Renovations and new construction often need HOA approval.
Is a gated community worth the premium?
For many buyers, yes, especially those who value privacy, travel frequently or have a public profile. Gated communities also tend to have consistent architecture and maintenance standards. The tradeoffs are higher dues, more rules and sometimes longer marketing times when selling, because the buyer pool for a specific gated enclave is smaller. Our guide on security and privacy features to look for in a Dallas home covers related considerations.
How do gated communities affect resale?
Gated communities tend to hold value well because of their privacy, consistent standards and limited supply. At the same time, the buyer pool for a specific gated enclave is smaller, and HOA dues are part of every buyer's monthly math. Sellers should price against closed sales inside the gate and in comparable gated communities nearby, prepare HOA documents in advance and plan gate access for showings. Buyers should look at how long homes in the community have taken to sell recently, which says a lot about future resale.
How The Agency Dallas works in gated communities
The Agency Dallas is an independently owned North Texas luxury real estate brokerage serving buyers and sellers across Dallas-Fort Worth, including gated enclaves in Westlake, Frisco, Colleyville, Las Colinas, North Dallas and west Fort Worth. Our agents coordinate gate access for showings and inspections, prepare written valuations based on closed sales, and work with our in-house marketing team on each listing's campaign. For a broader look at where luxury buyers focus, see where luxury homebuyers look in Dallas-Fort Worth.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most expensive gated community in DFW?
Vaquero in Westlake is widely considered the most expensive. Country Club Magazine ranked it first among Texas gated communities in October 2025, describing a 525-acre, 24/7 guard-gated enclave where homes routinely trade above $10 million. It has about 298 homes around a golf course by a nationally known architect.
Which Frisco neighborhoods are guard-gated?
Starwood, a 550-acre community, and The Hills of Kingswood are guard-gated Frisco neighborhoods, both listed by Country Club Magazine among the most expensive gated communities in Texas. Frisco also has smaller controlled-access enclaves, so confirm the gate type for any specific neighborhood.
Are there gated communities in Fort Worth?
Yes. Mira Vista, Montserrat and Montrachet are guard-gated communities in west Fort Worth. Mira Vista is built around a golf course with a 24-hour guarded gate, while Montserrat and Montrachet are larger enclaves on the city's far west side.
Do gated communities have higher HOA fees?
Usually. Staffed gatehouses, private streets and shared amenities raise association costs, and guard-gated communities typically cost more than controlled-access ones. Review the HOA budget, reserve study and any planned special assessments before buying, and factor dues into your total monthly cost.
Does buying in a gated golf community include club membership?
Usually not. In most DFW golf communities, club membership is handled separately from home ownership and may require an application, initiation fee and dues. Buyers who plan to play should ask the club about membership options before buying.
Sources: Country Club Magazine, "Top 20 Most Expensive Gated Communities in Texas," October 24, 2025; Town of Westlake, Residential Subdivisions; D Magazine, May 2023; Community Impact, Montclair Parc profile. Accessed October 30, 2026.
