What to
See in
Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River area host many types of activities and businesses just waiting to welcome you! This Water Recreation Capital of Texas is only 15 minutes from Interstate Highway 35 or from Highway 281, and these two highways are connected by FM 306. Once here, quaint, winding roads will draw you into the natural surroundings. River Road is a destination in itself. River Road runs alongside the Guadalupe River between Canyon Lake and Gruene/New Braunfels, and is lined with
beautiful Cypress trees, tubing and rafting outfitters, tent camping, cabins and cottages and other comfortable accommodations; something for everyone! Canyon Lake has 80 miles of shoreline surrounded with nature-rich neighborhoods. There are many accommodations available on the lake, from tent camping in the lake parks to plush bed and breakfasts. Visit our Lodging Pages for all the details.
Once here, we recommend a map! Our Visitor Center offers free maps of the Texas Hill Country and lots of friendly information and material on events in the area. Highlights include The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill County, which is home to over 300 dinosaur tracks, Whitewater Amphitheatre - a live music amphitheater on the Guadalupe, Lakeside Golf Club, a one-of-a-kind gorge – Canyon Gorge, free hiking nature trails, swim beaches, boat rentals and a paddling trail on the Upper Guadalupe. Rainbow trout fishing below Canyon Dam is especially popular during winter and spring months.
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Nearby places to visit include:
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Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resort
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Gruene Historic District – home to Texas’ oldest dance hall – Gruene Hall,
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the Centex Wing of the CAF – Ghost Squadron exhibit,
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Natural Bridge Caverns – a national natural landmark.
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Great annual events include:
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The Chamber’s annual Real Texas Bar-B-Que Cook-off held each October
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The Wimberley Gospel Music Festival
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KidFish
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Market Days
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Texas Dinosaur Day
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Independence Day Parade
Christmas brings the infamous North Pole Village, Christmas Parade and the beautiful Parade of Lights on the Lake (boats dressed in lights with caroling), and many other entertaining events filled with food, fun and fundraising efforts.
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Nearby Cities Include:
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San Antonio (45 minutes):
San Antonio is 45 minutes away. The beautiful downtown Riverwalk and unique Market Square are here. San Antonio is home to the Spurs basketball team and the Missions baseball team. Remember the Alamo! Seaworld, Fiesta Texas, and the San Antonio Zoo, plus several great museums inhabit San Antonio, too. Austin, the state’s Capital, is about an hour away and home to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, popular 6th Street and is the Live Music Capital of the World!
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Fredericksburg (about 80 minutes away)
Offers grand shopping, food and is part of the Texas Hill Country Wine Region, home to over 30 wineries. Also in Fredericksburg is the National Museum of the Pacific War. Nearby Kerrville is home to the Museum of Western Art, Kerrville Folk Festival and other arts, crafts, jazz and wine festivals, and the origin of the Guadalupe River. A half-hour west from Canyon Lake is Boerne, which offers great food and exciting shopping; another half-hour to Bandera – the Cowboy Capital of Texas, finds you in real Cowboy country. Other area attractions include the Lavender Festival in Blanco, Enchanted Rock and Pedernales Falls in the Johnson City area, beautiful waters and boat races in Marble Falls, the very famous Outlet Malls near San Marcos, and then there is Wimberley – big fun in a small package – home to the Blue Hole, an outdoor movie theatre, a glass-blowing factory and bonsai farm.
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So, whether you are coming for a weekend or a long while, we’ll help you find a place to stay, how to get around and let you know what’s happening during your visit. If you decide to stay forever, we’ll help you with that, too.
