Canyon Lake offers multiple glamping options between San Antonio and Austin in Texas Hill Country. Located 16 miles from New Braunfels in Comal County, this reservoir sits at 909 feet above sea level and spans 8,230 acres with 80 miles of shoreline. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, which affects shoreline camping and water access points, with summer water temperatures reaching 80-85°F.
What to do
Water recreation at Canyon Lake: Visitors staying at Corps of Engineers parks like Cranes Mill Park enjoy access to fishing opportunities directly from the shoreline. "Beautiful park teaming with wildlife, with a section for RVs and a section for renters. The RV sites have 30/50amp electric and water connections," notes Richard A. about Cranes Mill Park.
River tubing nearby: The Guadalupe River offers additional water activities just minutes from lake camping. "We spent two nights here and with our America the beautiful pass was only $35. Spaces are nicely far apart from each other and pavement pads and level," shares Lisa M. who camped at Cranes Mill while exploring the area.
Explore Hill Country towns: Johnson City sits 25 miles northwest of Canyon Lake, providing supplies and dining options. A camper at Pedernales Falls State Park noted, "State Park is about 25 mins away from Johnson City (closest city) if any groceries are needed."
Night stargazing: The relatively dark skies over Canyon Lake create opportunities for stargazing from campsites. "A quiet beautiful park," mentions Richard A., making it ideal for night sky viewing away from city lights.
What campers like
Spacious, private sites: Many campers appreciate the layout at Potters Creek COE Park, with Laura F. mentioning, "Nice large sites with covered picnic tables, a fire ring, and a grill. The sites along the lake front do not have trees for shade but the ones in the back row have nice trees."
Wildlife viewing: Deer sightings are common at several Canyon Lake campgrounds. At Summit Vacation Resort, Laura H. observed, "Small deer herds would move through the park each evening. Many of the campers feed them corn and they know the sounds and come running out of the hills."
Clean facilities: Campground cleanliness receives consistent praise, with Stephanie G. noting about Cranes Mill Park, "As always our campsite was clean, restrooms fully stocked with TP and soap and showers have hot water which was nice since it was a cold evening."
Lake views: Many sites provide direct water views. "We stayed in site 66 right on the water. There are great spots everywhere you turn," shares Tim M. about Potters Creek COE Park, highlighting the premium waterfront locations available.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most Canyon Lake campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer and holiday weekends. Potters Creek staff is "very strict about the 3pm check in time," according to Sheila C.
Weather considerations: The Texas Hill Country experiences flash flooding potential. As Faith S. advises about Pedernales Falls, "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!"
Water level fluctuations: Canyon Lake water levels vary significantly throughout the year. Stephanie G. noted during her visit to Cranes Mill Park, "Although water is low there were folks who fished," indicating that activities remain possible despite changing conditions.
Limited cell service: Coverage varies significantly around the lake. At Mystic Quarry, Jeff H. reported, "We are on AT&T and were able to use use data without any issues," while others noted spotty coverage in more remote areas.
Tips for camping with families
Children's activities: Beyond water recreation, Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers extensive family-friendly options. "Amazing place for kids because they have so many activities such as paintball, laser tag and a pond and much more," shares Tripler S.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming pools as alternatives to lake swimming. Kathy S. notes that at Camp Huaco Springs, there's a "Fabulous pool, hot tub. Cute playground for kids."
Fishing with kids: Stocked fishing areas provide reliable catches for younger anglers. "The pond is stocked full with bass and bluegill and you can catch 10 fish in 10 minutes," mentions Tripler S. about Jellystone Park.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds provide additional security measures for families. Stephanie G. appreciated that at Cranes Mill Park, "I let the office know it was just us ladies and they surveyed the area to see how many folks were staying in the area to make me feel more at ease."
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategies: Choose sites based on shade and privacy needs. Laura F. advises at Potters Creek, "The sites along the lake front do not have trees for shade but the ones in the back row have nice trees."
Level sites: Most RV sites around Canyon Lake are reasonably level. "Gravel and mostly level, very few sites were unlevel," notes Laura H. about Summit Vacation Resort.
Space between sites: Site spacing varies significantly between campgrounds. Mia D. observed at Cranes Mill Park, "Loved the extra parking spot for our truck. This campground feels super secluded away from the bustle of town."
Hookup options: Most Canyon Lake campgrounds offer multiple hookup configurations. Richard A. points out that at Cranes Mill Park, "The RV sites have 30/50amp electric and water connections," which is typical for the area.
