Hill Country Edge
Canyon Lake
KayakingCampingFishingSwimming
Hill Country Edge
Canyon Lake is an 8,308-acre U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Guadalupe River in Comal County, impounded in 1964 for flood control, water supply, and recreation. Located about 16 miles northwest of New Braunfels, the lake reaches a maximum depth of 125 feet with 90.5 miles of shoreline characterized by steep, rocky limestone banks and exceptional clarity. The Corps maintains eight park areas around the lake including Potters Creek Park and Cranes Mill Park, each offering designated swim beaches, boat ramps, camping, and fishing docks. Fishing is the lake's signature draw: largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and Guadalupe bass all thrive in the clear water, while TPWD stocks more than 18,000 striped bass annually because they do not reproduce naturally here. White bass, channel catfish, blue catfish, and flathead catfish round out the fishery. Boaters should note that zebra mussels are established in the reservoir — all equipment must be cleaned, drained, and dried before leaving.
Shade Details
Open lake with limited shade. Some shade at shoreline campsites with cedar and oak.
Conditions & Tips
Multiple parks around the lake — Cranes Mill, Potter's Creek, Canyon Park. Below-dam Guadalupe section offers cold-water fishing. Boat rental available at Canyon Lake Marina.
Lake levels drop in drought but the reservoir is large enough to remain usable.
Guadalupe North River Trail