Heading to the Texas Hill Country and looking for things to do in Canyon Lake Tx?
Located one hour from both Austin and San Antonio and only 30 minutes from New Braunfels, Canyon Lake is a great place to head for a getaway.
Because of its clear and often turquoise blue water, it is known by locals as the Hill Country Caribbean. This makes it the perfect place to spend a day on the boat, hiking the trails and enjoying the stunning views, or relaxing in a tube while washing all your cares away.
But Canyon Lake has so much more to offer. From hiking to fishing to shopping and playing golf, Canyon Lake has some of the best things to do while on vacation.
I have lived near Canyon Lake for almost 30 years and I am here to share the wide array of activities it has to offer. You’re going to want to extend your stay so you can get it all in.
This Post is All About the Best Things to Do in Canyon Lake.
The Best Things to Do in Canyon Lake
Tour Canyon Lake on a Boat –
Canyon Lake has two marinas that offer boat rentals, Canyon Lake Marina, 280 Marina Dr, and Cranes Mill Marina, 16440 Cranes Mill Rd
You can rent anything from jet skis to pontoon boats and even double-decker pontoons with waterslides. How fun does that sound?
They also rent standup paddle boards, kayaks, and canoes.
Pricing fluctuates depending on the season and day of the week you rent. Here is a rough estimate of rental prices. start around $110/hr for a weekday in the off-season to $125/hr for a weekend in the peak season
The pontoon boats are incredibly entertaining and offer plenty of seating for you and up to 10 of your friends and family.
With a plethora of coves to explore, you can have an adventurous day out on the water and never run out of new areas to discover.
Ski/Tube/Surf
If you prefer more action-packed water activities, you can rent a ski boat to go water skiing, tubing or even surfing. Tubing behind our boat is one of our favorite things to do on Canyon Lake.
Surfing behind a boat can have quite a learning curve and might not be the best idea for beginners. But tubing is fun for everyone.
Canyon Lake is so large that it doesn’t feel crowded even when it’s a busy day, this makes it the perfect place for skiing.
If you happened to bring your boat with you, there are several free boat ramps around the lake.
See Also: Best Places to Stay in Gruene
Drive Scenic River Road
Taking a drive down scenic River Road is one of my favorite things to do. River Road connects New Braunfels and Canyon Lake along the famous Guadalupe River and is one of the best places to take a relaxing drive. It is lined with rolling hills, towering beautiful cypress trees, and countless RV sites, making it one of the most scenic drives in Texas.
If you are visiting during peak season, you may not want to drive on a weekend. The traffic can be a bit thick.
Swimming on Canyon Lake
With its crystal clear water, Canyon Lake is one of the best lakes in Texas for swimming. There are several beaches around the Canyon Lake Area that are great for a family day relaxing on the lake. So, grab your float, picnic basket, and favorite people and head to a swimming area on Canyon Lake.
Hiking in Canyon Lake
From a leisurely stroll across Canyon Dam to exploring the Canyon Gorge, the Canyon Lake area has a lot to offer when it comes to hiking.
Many of the Canyon Lake parks have hiking trails you can explore. One of my favorite apps when it comes to hiking anywhere is AllTrails. It will give you all the info about hikes in the area. Think of it as Yelp for hiking.
Best Places to Hike in Canyon Lake:
- Overlook Park
- James C. Curry Nature Loop
- Canyon Gorge Overlook Trail
- Madrone Trail – Canyon Park
- Upper Madrone Trail Loop
- Canyon Lake Dam Loop
Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country
Even if you are not a history buff, The Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country is worth a visit.
It is housed in what used to be a schoolhouse and showcases the history and cultural heritage of the Texas Hill Country.
The museum’s collection includes antique firearms, Native American Artifacts, and Pottery, as well as historic documents and photographs.
Be sure to check their calendar for educational programs and events throughout the year.
Float in a Tube on the Lake
One of my favorite things to do is to anchor my tube to the shore (so I don’t float away:) and just relax and float. You can almost feel the water washing all your cares away. It’s one of the most relaxing things you can do on the lake.
Canyon Lake Gorge
I remember the day in 2002 when we got the news that the flood waters were spilling over the dam. It was a very difficult time for our community. Everyone either was affected or knew someone who was affected by this flood.
This flood and spillover created the 64-acre Canyon Lake Gorge exposing ancient fossils and dinosaur footprints. It is a beautiful reminder of a very difficult time in our area.
You can take guided tours into the Gorge or you can hike above the Gorge on the Canyon Gorge Overlook Trail. If you want to actually enter the gorge and see the dinosaur tracks, you must do the guided tour.
There are 2 tour options. They both cover the same material but the 90-minute tour just moves a lot quicker.
- 90-Minute Tour: $15
- 3-Hour Tour: $20
See Also: Best RV Parks Near Canyon Lake
Yoga in the Gorge
If you are looking for a little zen, they offer Yoga in the Gorge from March thru October. If you take the morning session, you can hike the gorge after your yoga class and if you take the evening class, you can hike the gorge before your yoga class.
- Reservation: None needed
- Price: $5
- Level: Beginner to intermediate
- Phone Number: 830-964-5425
Visit one of the Wineries near Canyon Lake
If you are a wine enthusiast this is the place for you.
The Texas Hill Country is home to some of the best wineries in the United States. With the rolling hills, sunny climate, and limestone soil, this area provides the perfect environment for growing grapes and producing top-quality wines.
Dry Comal Creek Vineyards – $25/person and includes 6 wine tastings. Tastings last 45 minutes to an hour and reservations are recommended. Check their calendar for dates offering live music and food trucks
To find out more about the wineries in the area read my post about New Braunfels Area Wineries.
Fishing on Canyon Lake
Who doesn’t love a good fish story? And there is no better setting for your tall tale than Canyon Lake.
Canyon Lake is stocked with a variety of fish including Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish, Crappie, White & Striped Bass, and Sunfish. This makes it the ideal spot for casting your line.
See a Concert at Whitewater Amphitheater
Before your book your family vacation to visit Canyon Lake, the first thing you need to do is look at the performer schedule for Whitewater Amphitheater.
In my opinion, there is no better place in Texas to see a concert than Whitewater Amphitheater. The area infant of the stage is general admission. so, if you are willing to get here early and stand in line, you are pretty much guaranteed a front-row seat for some amazing artists.
A few years ago, my daughter held hands with Sam Hunt while he sang her a song, and later that same night she caught Billy Currington’s guitar pick. Talk about a night to remember. And all for a $20 general admission ticket.
Camping/Glamping in Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake offers a peaceful and serene escape into nature. The lake is surrounded by rolling hills, lush greenery, and unique rock formations that make for a stunning backdrop to any camping/glamping trip.
You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities, including fishing swimming kayaking, and hiking. The clear waters are perfect for water sports and the nearby trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside.
From RV sites with lake views to family-friendly themed RV parks perfect for the whole family, Canyon Lake has it all when it comes to camping.
If you would rather stay in a cottage or Yurt, they have those too. Read more about Camping in Canyon Lake here.
Play Golf in Canyon Lake
This Post was All About the Best Things to Do in Canyon Lake, Tx.
Canyon Lake Texas is a beautiful place to vacation. You could stay here for weeks and not run out of fun things to do. With miles of shoreline, numerous public parks, nature trails, and beautiful scenery Canyon Lake is a great lake for a family vacation. I feel so incredibly blessed to be able to live in this area and I hope my list helps you get the best out of your vacation.
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