Canyon Lake sits at approximately 909 feet elevation in the Texas Hill Country, surrounded by limestone bluffs and oak forests. The lake spans 8,230 acres with 80 miles of shoreline, offering water-based recreation alongside traditional camping. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer days regularly exceed 95°F, making seasonal planning essential for campers.
What to do
Waterfront activities: Access the river directly from Camp Huaco Springs, where campsites are positioned along the Guadalupe River. "The Guadalupe River lets out right at the camp site so makes it convenient to just hop out of the river," notes one visitor who adds that the "camp grounds are crowded however, and a bit pricey."
Fishing opportunities: Anglers find success at Cranes Mill Park where the lake access provides good fishing spots. "The water level of Canyon Lake was down so access to the water wasn't real easy. once in the water it was great floating in a tube," reports a camper who appreciated the clean facilities.
Hiking trails: Explore the network of trails at Pedernales Falls State Park, located within driving distance of Canyon Lake. "The trails are the must for going to the park! Great hike down to the Pedernales Falls and cool little caves to explore. On the other end of the park, there are longer trails (roughly 4 Miles) with scenic overlooks of the Pedernales River," writes one hiker.
What campers like
Lakeside views: Sites at Potters Creek Park offer direct lake access with some incredible vantage points. "This COE campground is amazing. We stayed in site 66 right on the water. There are great spots everywhere you turn. The bathrooms were very clean and the staff was very helpful," according to a satisfied camper.
Shaded campsites: Many visitors appreciate the natural shade at Summit Vacation Resort, especially during hot summer months. "Very nice spaces with lots of large trees! River access, pools, outdoor activities and lots more," mentions one reviewer who valued the cooler spots.
Wildlife sightings: Deer are commonly spotted throughout the camping areas around Canyon Lake. At Summit Vacation Resort, one camper noted, "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."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance booking, particularly during peak summer months. "Make reservations months in advance," advises a camper at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, highlighting the popularity of Canyon Lake destinations.
Seasonal changes: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year, affecting lake access. "The water level of Canyon Lake was down so access to the water wasn't real easy," reports one camper, suggesting checking conditions before arrival.
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near roads may experience traffic noise. At Camp Huaco Springs, a camper noted, "Lots of noisy motorcycle traffic all night," indicating that sites further from the road might be preferable.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between campgrounds. While some offer full shower facilities with hot water, others provide basic vault toilets. "The bathrooms were very clean and I did use the nice roomy showers they have," writes a camper about Potters Creek Park.
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation: Multiple swimming areas provide family-friendly water access. A parent camping at Cranes Mill Park shared, "I absolutely love canyon lake and have been to pretty much all of the surrounding parks. Cranes Mill has great trees for hammock camping as well as traditional camp sites."
Kid-friendly amenities: Playgrounds and organized activities are available at select campgrounds. "Lots of activities for the kids and adults alike," reports a visitor to Jellystone Park, which offers scheduled events throughout the camping season.
Safety considerations: Flash flooding can occur rapidly in the area. A regular visitor to Pedernales Falls State Park warned, "Made me aware of how serious flash flooding is here. Respect weather warnings!" Always monitor weather forecasts when camping with children.
Spacious sites: Some campgrounds offer extra room for families to spread out. "The sites are mostly private and have tent areas as well as pads for campers. You could fit a group of people all one one site with room to spare!" notes a camper at Pedernales Falls State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many campgrounds have varying levels of privacy and shade. "We stayed in RV5, which is a pull through. The sites are a little tight but they are what you would expect at an RV park," reports a visitor to Mystic Quarry.
Leveling challenges: Prepare for potentially uneven terrain at some sites. One RVer noted about Cranes Mill Park: "They aren't all level but compared to other campgrounds they are pretty even. Loved the extra parking spot for our truck."
Access considerations: Larger rigs may face challenges at older campgrounds. A camper at Jellystone Park observed, "Only Con is it is an older park and kind of hard to maneuver larger rigs in the park. Some of the pull thrus are kinda tight."
Hookup availability: Full hookups are available at most established RV sites, but capacity varies. "Gravel and mostly level, very few sites were unlevel. They are full hook up sites. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table," writes a visitor describing Summit Vacation Resort.
