Canyon Lake

Hiking Dogs Allowed

Those yearning for cool relief from the harsh Texas heat need look no further than the aqua-blue waters of Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake is located on the Guadalupe River in Comal County, Texas. With over 80 miles of scenic shoreline and an area covering 8,200 acres, Canyon Lake is the premier destination for water-lovers from San Antonio to Austin.

Although referred to in general as “Canyon Lake”, the lake is actually a conglomerate of eight different public parks: Cranes Mill, Comal Park, Potter’s Creek, Canyon Park, Jacob’s Creek, North Park, Overlook Park, and Guadalupe Park.

Activities

Camping

Canyon Lake has four developed camping areas open to the public.Potter’s Creek
Potter’s Creek is located on the Northwest side of Canyon Lake. The facilities include 114 modern RV campsites, 7 screen shelters, 10 designated tent camping sites, and 5 Family sites.

This is not a “day-use” area. Camper’s only!Canyon Park
Canyon Park is a primitive campground located on the North shore of Canyon Lake. The facilities include 150 campsites, 2 overnight shelters, and 1 day-use shelter.

This park is a primitive area and does not offer shower facilities.Cranes Mill
Cranes Mill Park is located on the Southwest shore of Canyon Lake. It offers 30 RV sites and 34 tent campsites. Water and electrical is available at most areas. North Park
North Park is located on the North side of Canyon Lake and is only open seasonally. There are only 19 campsites. Since this is a popular area for scuba divers and contains the fewest number of sites, visitors are encouraged to call ahead well in advance.

Dogs

All visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm guidelines for pets. There are different allowances for each area around canyon lake.Canyon Beach Park
No pets allowed. Comal Park
Pets allowed on leash. No pets allowed in swimming/beach area.

Hiking and Mountain Biking

Although Canyon Lake is known as the “Water Recreational Capital of Texas”, it offers much to those more terrestrially inclined. Whether you’re a casual hiker or a hardcore mountain bike enthusiast – you’ll find a number of trails both pleasurable and challenging.

The most popular trails are:Canyon Dam Crest Trail: Hiking and Mountain Biking, .8 miles.
Canyon Lake Gorge Trail: Hiking only, 1.3 miles.
Guadalupe River South Trail: Hiking only, 1.25 miles.
Guadalupe River North Trail: Hiking only, 2.5 miles
Madrone Trail: Hiking and Mountain Biking, 8.3 miles.
Old Hancock Trail: Hiking and Mountain Biking, 3.5 miles.

Canoeing and Kayaking

There are a total of 23 recognized boat ramps on Canyon Lake for powered and large vessel access. Visitors may bring their own or rent from a variety of outfitters.

Canoeing and kayaking are also popular but must be done safe, designated areas to avoid larger watercraft.

Not all marinas and boat ramps are free to use. Visitors are encouraged to call ahead to confirm additional charges.

Swimming

The simplest form of water recreation is still the most popular.Tens of thousands visit to swim the refreshing waters each year.
There are 3 official swimming and beach areas; however, all of Canyon Lake’s shoreline is open for swimming.

Know Before You Go!

Be prepared for lots of sun as the tree cover is sparse to none. Campsites are grouped closely together and offer little privacy. Securing tents and other items is a must due to perpetual wind gusts.
Boaters must wear life-jackets or risk being fined by park police.

All swimming is “at your own risk”. There are NO lifeguards on duty. When in doubt – call ahead! Canyon Lake is one of the most popular recreational destinations in Central Texas and fills up quickly.

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