Canyon Lake near San Antonio

Canyon Lake is a reservoir and community located around 44 miles northeast of San Antonio. Set on the Guadalupe River, the area consists of 8 parks and 80 miles of shoreline. It is considered "The Jewel" of the Texas Hill Country. You’ll find endless adventure, incredible scenery, and local wildlife at every turn. Float down the river on an inner tube, or try your luck catching bass or catfish. Hike through the rolling hills before cooling off in the clear waters of the shimmering lake.

The parks at Canyon Lake also offer campgrounds where you, friends and family can set up camp for a few days. If you prefer a bed, lodgings available include cottages, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. Whether you’re visiting to escape the scorching hot Texan summer months or to savour the crisp autumn air, you’re sure to have a delightful experience when you travel through Lake Canyon.

Canyon Lake near San Antonio - one of the highlights of 10 Best Road Trips near San Antonio (Read all about San Antonio here)

What are the highlights of Canyon Lake?

There are several ways you can appreciate Canyon Lake’s natural beauty. Put on your hiking shoes and explore the lake’s many scenic walking trails. The 0.6-mile loop trail at Overlook Park takes you to the water’s edge, offering a picture-perfect view across the lake. Meanwhile, on the out-and-back, 1.9-mile Guadalupe Park Trail, you will walk along the Guadalupe River. There are good chances to spot deer, foxes, roadrunners, and various bird species.

Soak up the sun and explore the lake’s many secluded coves onboard a rented kayak, stand-up paddleboard, or jet ski. When you want to relax, have a picnic while enjoying the turquoise waters and set your blanket on one of the lake’s swim beaches such as Comal Park, Canyon Park, and Jacob’s Creek Park. The Lakeside Golf Club will put golfers of all levels to the test with its 18-hole, par-7 course carved into the beautiful landscape of Texas Hill Country.

What else can you do at Canyon Lake?

Your visit to Canyon Lake won't be complete without a guided tour of the fascinating new geological treasure, Canyon Lake Gorge. A historic flood in 2002 created the 64-acre gorge. Torrential rains ripped up trees, tore away soil and sliced open the ground – exposing 110-million-year-old cretaceous limestone, perfectly preserved fossils, and even dinosaur footprints. Visitors must be age 7 or older as the 3-hour tour can be physically demanding.

Less than a 10-minute drive from the gorge, you can discover Canyon Lake's history at The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country. Indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase dinosaur tracks, Native American Indian artefacts, vintage farm equipment, and an extensive Cretaceous fossil collection.

Cap off your history tour with a burger or fried catfish at Lucky's Sports Bar & Grill. The laidback bar has an outdoor dining area with lake views.

foto door Danny Navarro (CC BY-SA 2.0) bewerkt

Good to know about Canyon Lake

While there are many things to do in Canyon Lake, this part of Texas is terrific for scenic road trips. One of the best trips is the 10-mile journey following the Historic River Road to New Braunfels.

The winding route sweeps back and forth along the Guadalupe River and is lined with beautiful Cypress trees. You can also drive along Devil’s Backbone and enjoy gorgeous views of Texas Hill Country’s rolling hills. At sunset, you’ll want to whip out your camera to capture the marvellous view.

The parks in Canyon Lake are on a first-come-first-serve basis. If you’re planning to visit on a weekend or national holiday, it’s better to arrive early to find parking and grab a picnic table. Also, there are no onsite hand-washing facilities, so bring along your hand sanitiser.

foto door jbsapublicaffairs (CC0 1.0) bewerkt

Jacqui de Klerk | Schrijver

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