Things to Do

Come to Canyon Lake, Texas

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Tony Maples Photography

 

The Canyon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce would like to warmly invite and welcome you to come experience the wonders that are Canyon Lake! We love to welcome visitors to our area and are sure you will leave with pleasant vacation memories, with plenty of smiles, and with plans to return to “The Water Recreation Capital of Texas”!

Canyon Lake Texas

The lure of the waters of the Guadalupe River drew the first settlers to this area hundreds of years ago, but prior to 1850, Texas was a rough place to live, especially in the lower Guadalupe River Valley. If the floods didn’t wipe you out, then the Indians surely would!

However, by 1900, settlements had taken hold and today, the river supports jobs for over 100,000 people. But the river was as dangerous as it was giving. Flooding was a major problem all along the Guadalupe and in 1929, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers began exploring the idea of a dam to control and prevent downstream flooding, regulate stream flow, and provide a catchment for conservation.

Soon after some major floods hit in 1936 and 1938, the people began to demand that the government take some action. After thorough research, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers selected the spot for the dam about 16 miles north of New Braunfels. Shortly thereafter, the Texas legislature created the Guadalupe-Bianco River Authority (GBRA), and the two organizations collaborated on a dam effort. Construction of the Canyon Dam began in 1958 and was dedicated in 1966.

In 1989, the GBRA began to generate electricity by making Canyon Lake Dam a hydroelectric facility. Since the dedication in 1966, the area has flourished as a water destination. You just have to come and see it for yourself!

Canyon Lake Texas

Once here, we recommend a map! Our Visitor Center offers free maps and lots of information and material on events in the area. Some year-round highlights include Dry Comal Creek Vineyards, the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill County, which is home to over 300 dinosaur tracks, Whitewater Amphitheater – a live music amphitheater on the Guadalupe, a lakeside golf course — Canyon Lake 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.

Canyon Lake Texas

Canyon Lake and the Guadalupe River area host many types of activities and businesses just waiting for you! The heart of this “Water Recreation Capital of Texas” is located on FM 306 equal distance and only 15 minutes from Interstate Highway 35 or from Highway 281. Once here, quaint, winding roads will draw you into the natural surroundings. River Road is a destination in itself. River Road runs along side 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 even luxurious, comfortable accommodations; something for everyone! Canyon Lake has 80 miles of shoreline surrounded with nature-rich neighborhood. There are many accommodations available on the lake, too, from tent camping in the lake parks to plush bed and breakfasts. Visit our Lodging Pages in our Visitors’ Guide for all the details

Canyon Lake Texas

Tubing along the Guadalupe is a perennial favorite, but the river is also known for its trout fishing, popular among anglers below the dam. The lake also offers fishing, stocked with primarily bass and catfish. Boating, waterskiing, and watercraft of all sorts also attract many visitors to the lake.

From sunrise to sunset, we offer everything from romantic getaways to fun-in-the-sun activities on our beautiful lake and river. Where else can you go fly fishing for trout in the morning, ride tubes down the river after lunch, relax and enjoy nature at its finest in the afternoon and eat at one of our great local restaurants at night. But when you leave our area there is one thing you will know for sure, you will understand why the Canyon Lake Area is known as the “Water Recreation Capital of Texas!”