Canyon Lake, Texas, is known as “The Jewel” of the Texas Hill Country.
This title is very fitting because it’s a true gem of Texas!
Its location, on the Guadalupe River, makes it one of the best places to relax and unwind.
There’s outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, golfing, parks, fishing and more.
Check out the 29 best things to do in Canyon Lake, Texas!
GET A FREE TEXAS GUIDEBOOK WITH LOCAL TIPS!
With 71 pages of helpful travel tips and the “best of” Texas lists, this is your ad-free key to your Texas trip.
Looking for more locally approved Texas guides? Check these out!
- 39+ Best Things to Do in Fredericksburg
- 21 Fun Things to do in Texas
- 17 Texas Wineries that You Need to Visit
- 17 Best Texas Breweries
- 19+ Iconic AirBnBs in Texas
- 31+ Best Museums in Texas
- 13 Best Rivers in Texas
How to get around Canyon Lake
Like most of Texas, the best way to get around Canyon Lake is to explore on your own by car!
If you’re visiting and need to rent a car, we highly recommend Discover Cars where they find you the best car rental deals from all of the competitors (has saved us so much money!).
Where to stay in Canyon Lake
From enchanting VRBOs to spacious hotels, here are the best places to stay in Canyon Lake.
- (Hotel) Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hill – Enjoy the spacious rooms and great amenities including swimming pool, playground, and arcade at this clean Holiday Inn hotel. Click here to check prices and read reviews.
- (AirBnB/VRBO) Beautiful Hilltop Lake House – Stunning views off the deck/patio, secluded location, and an overall great atmosphere. This gorgeous lake house is calling your name. Click here to check prices and read reviews.
1. See the Canyon Lake Gorge
Like most of Texas, the best way to get around Fredericksburg is to explore on your own by car!
The 50 feet long limestone gorge is a stunning natural formation that has become one of the top Canyon Lake attractions.
The exposed rock bordering the gorge reveals its rich ecological history, with dinosaur footprints and fossils visible to the public.
It is highly recommended to take a tour of the gorge with an experienced guide who can point out the key sights and history.
Children under 7 are not permitted to join the tour.
2. Explore the parks of Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is made up of a number of smaller parks, which are a mixture of smaller day parks and larger parks with campgrounds.
You can go swimming in many of the lakes and creeks, with North Park offering excellent scuba diving opportunities.
Some of the most popular parks are Canyon Park and Potters Creek Park.
3. Hike to Canyon Overlook Park
As the name suggests, the Canyon Overlook Park is famed for the sweeping views of the surrounding lakes and dam.
You can also walk across the dam walkway which runs alongside the giant dam and makes for a memorable photo spot.
The Canyon Lake visitor center is also located inside the Canyon Overlook Park.
4. Go fishing
One of the most popular Canyon Lake activities is to go fishing for bass.
There are several types of bass that can be found in the lake, including largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, striped bass and the local Guadalupe bass.
For the best chance at catching largemouth bass, you’ll want to visit in the Spring and Summer months.
Fishing from the bank is free in most areas, but be sure to follow local fishing regulations.
5. Go jet skiing at Canyon Lake Marina
Jet skiing is one of the most fun things to do in Canyon Lake, also known as the water recreation capital of Texas.
You can hire equipment from Canyon Lake Marina and explore the 80 miles of shoreline at your leisure.
If you don’t fancy a jet ski or are looking for a group-friendly water activity, you can also hire a boat from the marina.
6. Enjoy other water recreational activities
Other water-based Canyon Lake attractions include kayaking, paddling and fishing charters.
There are a number of motorsport operators located along the lakeside and throughout the park, for gear rental, guided tours or just some friendly advice on the best fishing spots.
7. Go hiking
There are a multitude of hiking trails on offer at Canyon Lake, catering to all levels of hikers.
Hiking the extensive mountainside and lakeside trails is one of the most popular things to do in Canyon Lake.
For beginners, the Guadalupe North Trail is a short distance and is paved for accessibility.
The trail leads to popular fishing spots.
For more experienced hikers, the Hancock Trail is 3.5 miles and can also accommodate horse riders for those who prefer to explore on horseback.
8. Go birdwatching
For birdwatching aficionados, there are many opportunities to spot many types of different bird species.
From herons, pelicans and waterfowls, there are also bald eagles, kingfishers and meadowlark spotted in the area.
Early mornings are typically considered the best time to spot the many birds that encircle Canyon Lake.
9. Play Golf
One of the top things to do in Canyon Lake is to play golf.
The Lakeside Golf Club is a scenic par 72 golf course, with spectacular views of Canyon Lake and the surrounding hillside.
There are 18 holes and you can purchase a practice facility pass with a bucket full of golf balls to spend a leisurely day on the green.
10. Visit Comal Park
Comal Park is a popular spot for swimming and boat rental, and is a popular activity when you are searching for family friendly Canyon Lake things to do.
You can get on the water by kayaking or renting a boat from one of the nearby operators.
Alternatively you can enjoy a restful picnic along the shaded shoreline.
The water is generally calm and considered safe for swimming for all ages.
11. Visit the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country
For dinosaur fans, the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country is one of the most popular things to do in Canyon Lake, especially with kids.
The museum has a number of dinosaur themed attractions, including fossilized footprints, dinosaur dig pits and indigenous artifacts from over 100 million years ago.
Guides are on hand to explain the history and visitors can also self-explore by hiking through the trails surrounding the museum where dinosaur tracks can still be spotted.
12. Drive the scenic River Road
For those looking for leisurely Canyon Lake sightseeing opportunities, the River Road is one of the most scenic road trips you can take in Texas.
Although it’s a short drive at approximately thirteen miles long, you will pass the famous Guadalupe River as well as lines of cypress trees and towering mountainside.
There are also a number of rest stops along the way, including local restaurants, hotels and cabins that can accommodate an overnight stay.
13. Spot the bluebonnets
If you’re visiting Canyon Lake during the Spring, you’ll have the highest chances of spotting the beautiful bluebonnets.
The bluebonnets are Texas’ state flower for a reason – they’re a beautiful indigo wildflower named after the shape of the bonnets that women wore to shield themselves from the Texas sun.
During Spring and the shoulder months, you may also be able to spot primroses, daisies and blue sage.
14. Visit Whitewater Amphitheater
Whitewater Amphitheater is an outdoor concert venue located on the banks of the Guadalupe River and is one of the most interesting things to see in Canyon Lake.
The amphitheater has hosted a number of famous Texas country musicians and other live performers.
The venue is set up with picnic areas, food vendors and comfortable seating so it can be a great way to enjoy a fun evening whilst soaking in the refreshing ambience of the scenic open air setting.
15. Go wine tasting
There are a number of wineries in Canyon Lake and many are open to the public for tastings and to purchase bottles to take home.
One of the most famous and well loved wineries is Pontita Winery and Vineyard.
At this boutique vineyard, the owner is often on hand to guide visitors through the winemaking process and what makes the vineyards of Texas so unique.
You can also settle in for some light bites and tapas to accompany your indulgent afternoon of wine tasting.
16. Walk along James C Curry Nature Preserve
The James C Curry Nature Preserve is a moderately challenging nature walk, looping through the hills of Canyon Lake.
The trail is just under one mile long and can be steep in parts, but walkers who are comfortable hiking through the mountainside will enjoy the sweeping views of the hillside.
There is also an abundance of wildlife residing in the hills so keep an eye out for any creatures that are traipsing around.
17. Scuba dive in Canyon Lake
One of the most fun things to do in Canyon Lake is to go scuba diving in Canyon Lake itself.
Divers can walk straight in off the shore and enjoy the fresh water dive, and there are also training platforms available.
The visibility can range depending on weather conditions, but on a clear day, divers can see a variety of marine wildlife, plants, wreckages of old cars and boats and an underwater forest.
18. Go river tubing
The many waterways of Canyon Lake offer a large number of water-based activities, from fishing, boating and swimming.
One of the best things to do in Canyon Lake however is to go river tubing down the Guadalupe River.
A standard tube ride can range from two to three hours and the Horseshoe Loop is the most popular part of the river for tubers.
If you need to hire gear, there are a number of operators located in New Braunfels who can get you kitted up.
19. See the Christmas parade
Canyon Lake takes Christmas seriously.
With lights along the lakeside, a spectacular Christmas parade and a replica North Pole set up in this festive corner of Texas, there’s plenty of stuff to do in Canyon Lake during the merry season.
The local boat owners also decorate their boats with lights as part of a time honored tradition.
Seeing the Canyon Lake boat parade is one of the top things to do in Canyon Lake during the holiday season.
20. Explore the Natural Bridge Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest explored commercial caverns in Texas.
The amphitheater style limestone entrance makes for a grand welcome as visitors enter these magnificent caves.
The caverns were made by unique geological formations and a guided tour will help you learn about the rich history of the caves.
The caverns are typically quite warm inside with a consistent temperature of 21 degrees celsius and a humidity rate of 99 percent, so remember to wear lightweight and airy clothing if you decide to visit.
21. Stay overnight at the John Knox Ranch
The John Knox Ranch is a campsite and mission run as part of the Presbyterian Church of USA.
The ranch is mainly used as a summer camp site for students and young adults, however visitors can also book into one of the several cabins for an overnight stay.
For a unique accommodation experience set amongst acres of mountains and sweeping rivers, book a cabin and learn more about the mission of this proudly religious group.
22. Go Ziplining
One of the most fun things to do in Canyon Lake is to go ziplining through the forests.
Wimberley Ziplining Adventures offers guests the opportunity to enjoy self-guided nature walks and zip lining courses through Texas Hill country.
There are ten zip line crossings and tours must be booked in advance as they can be extremely popular.
23. Visit Dry Comal Creek Vineyards
One of the most popular things to do in Canyon Lake is to stop in for a visit to the Dry Comal Creek Vineyards.
This winery is very popular for its warm and inviting atmosphere, scenic vine-filled landscapes and the highly regarded wines they produce.
The vineyard also has an onsite restaurant with pizzas and sangria for a delicious and leisurely afternoon of wining and dining.
24. Visit Randolph Recreation Park
The Randolph Recreation Park is a popular spot for locals and tourists thanks to its clean reserves, child-friendly playgrounds and a wooden pier that doubles as a striking photo op during sunset.
There are also picnic tables, restrooms and shaded areas, making this a comfortable park for families (and their furry friends).
25. Wander through Canyon Lake Marina
The Canyon Lake Marina makes for a leisurely place to go on an easy stroll whilst admiring the many boats that dock on Canyon Lake.
You can also hire a pontoon boat from a nearby operator to enjoy a day out on the lake with friends or family.
26. Go swimming
There are several swimming spots in Canyon Lake, including three separate beaches.
Some of the most popular lakes to swim include Comal Park, Overlook Park and North Park.
There aren’t lifeguards on duty however so keep an eye on the waves and only swim where you are comfortable.
27. Visit a local cafe
After a busy few days enjoying Canyon Lake activities, save some time to relax and enjoy a meal at one of the many local cafes that serve up delicious home made goods.
One of the most popular in the area is Wildflour Artisan Baker and Grill, a cozy local favorite with hearty breakfasts and popular weekend brunches.
Wildflour also has vegetarian and vegan menu options available.
28. Go vintage shopping
One of the quirkiest places to visit in Canyon Lake is Rustic Hideaway Crafters Mall, an artist-run mall of over 60 operators.
Here you can find vintage treasures, including fashion and jewelry along with paintings and artwork created by the artists who run the stalls.
29. Visit a local saloon
When visiting Texas, stopping by a local drinking spot is a must do activity.
One of the highest rated drinking holes in Canyon Lake is Silly Rabbit Saloon.
The venue has a full bar, dining menu, pool table and local entertainers who perform for the crowds on occasions.
To experience a local style Texas night out, a stop in to a traditional saloon should definitely be part of your itinerary.