CuteCamper
Canyon Lake
In the early part of the 19th century, the lower Guadalupe River Basin, below the current location of Canyon Lake, had been especially subject to serious flooding. Congress authorized in the 1940's the construction of Canyon Lake Dam. Construction began in 1958, was completed in 1964, dedicated in 1966 and reached the conservation pool by 1968. The lake will turn 50 in 2016. The scenic blue water of the lake is due to its limestone bottom. It averages around 40 feet in depth but can be as deep as 130 feet. Canyon Lake is located about sixteen miles northwest of New Braunfels, Texas, between San Antonio and Austin.
RecAreaDirections
From New Braunfels, 15 miles northwest on FM 306.
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Permits info
Direction
From Big Pine go west on Crocker Ave. which becomes Glacier Lodge Rd. and follow to the end of the road. Alternate trail start point at the pack station and large paved backpackers parking lot. Day use parking is near Glacier Lodge, at end of the road
Important Information
DOWNLOAD AREA MAP FOR THIS TRAIL:Click Here
Big Pine North Fork Area:
- No campfires.
- Food and refuse must be stored so that animals cannot get into the food or trash.
- The South Fork and Baker Lake have separate quotas.
- John Muir Wilderness regulations apply.
- Sequoia and Kings Canyon wilderness regulations apply if entering the park.(includes Cross Country travel to Dusy Basin / Palisade Basin areas; no night box permit pickup)
- Deadline: Reservation will be canceled unless the permit pick up instructions are completed before the deadline. Instructions are in the confirmation letter.
- Only the group leader or alternate leader may pick up the permit; the person picking up the permit must be going on the wilderness trip.
- BE SURE YOUR DATES AND TRAIL ARE CORRECT - The entire group must start on the trail on the entry date listed. Reservations cannot be changed or transferred.
USFS Webpage for: Big Pine Creek North Fork.
Long Description
Going to the popular First through Seventh Lakes up the canyon north of Mount Sill, this trail also offers views of Temple Crag and the Palisade Glacier. The hike begins at First Falls in the shade of Jeffrey pine and aspen and quickly climbs across sage and manzanita covered slopes to enter the wilderness boundary near Second Falls. As the trail climbs past the chain of Big Pine Lakes there are many opportunities to observe the effects of glacial activity, such as cirques, glaciated granite and glacial erratic. A side trail to Black Lake offers views of glaciers and the Sierra Crest before rejoining the main trail near Fourth Lake. The trail to Baker Lake has a separate quota. Please refer to the area map for other trail names.
Facilities
North Park Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
North Park is only open Friday at 3pm until Sunday at 2pm every week. Hours are extended only on federal Holiday weekends.
The Park is a primitive camping experience on the northern shore of Canyon Lake bordering Canyon Dam. Each site comes with a picnic table, standing grill, fire ring, and access to the lake. There are plenty of shade trees at many camp sites.
The park is popular with SCUBA divers who are learning or wanting to improve their skill level. To dive you will need to go through local dive shops to set up training. Come enjoy a beautiful park and wonderful sunsets across the lake. If you are a hiker, the trail across the dam provides a spectacular view evey time.
Recreation
Canyon Lake is a large reservoir for water retention, but has become well know for boating, swimming, skiing, scuba diving, and so much more. Local outfitters and guides and help you find the activity that is right for your needs. You can access the lake from the park as well as a nice hiking trail across the dam and other trails near by in driving distance.
Facilities
Available facilities in the park include a vault restroom, 3 water fountains, 20 tent only campsites, access to the lake, a gate house, hosts sites, a bench and table at each site, a fire ring at each site, and a grill at each camp site. You will find a fes short trails that wrap around inside the park also.
Natural Features
North Park is perched on top of a limestone bluff overlooking the beautiful blue waters of Canyon Lake. The area is full of natural carsts and caves in the region. Fossil imprints can be found across the region in the limestone. Near by are dinosuar tracks in the limestone in the gorge where you can take a tour.
You can watch spectacula sunrises on east of the park at Canyon Dam or magnificant sunsets on west of the park. The water in Canyon Lake is clear and allows you to see the natural plants and fish under the water. The limestone hills surrounding the lake are full of fossil imprints and amazing rock formations.
contact_info
For facility specific information, please call (830) 964-3341.Nearby Attractions
New Braunfels Area:
Natural Bridge Caverns, McKinna Museum for Kids, Gruene Hall, Comal River, Schlitterbauhn, and so much more.
Canyon lake Area:
Guadalupe river, the GBRA gorge tours, Fishing pier on the river below the dam, and theHeritage meusem on south side fo Canyon lake.
San Antonio area:
Sea World, River walk, Six Flags, and so much more
Charges & Cancellations
The reservation system sets all change and cancellation fees.
POTTERS CREEK PARK Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Potters Creek Park is situated on the northern shore of Canyon Lake in the rolling hill country of South Central Texas. Cool breezes off the lake create a pleasant environment for relaxing in this scenic area. The lake and Guadalupe River also provide great opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming.Recreation
Visitors enjoy coming to Canyon Lake for boating, swimming and fishing. The Guadalupe River is a great location for canoeing, kayaking and tubing. Both the lake and river are stocked with a variety of fish for each habitat including various bass, catfish, or river trout. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, birding, and wildlife viewing are popular activities in the surrounding hills. Five trails are available at different locations around the lake. There is a mountain biking trail, a horse trail, and several foot trails. You can not rent any items from the park, but must bring your own gear for all recreational activities.Facilities
The park is open year-round and offers RV and tent sites as well as overnight screened shelters, and a group site, all with electric and water hookups. Every site has a picnic table, fire ring, and grill, water and electricity. Park Amenities include flush toilets, showers, drinking water, and two dump stations. The park also has two boat ramps with docks, a fishing pier and beach. Rangers patrol the park and hosts are on-site year-round.Natural Features
The park is settled among Juniper and native Oaks on gently sloping terrain on the shore of Canyon Lake. Thick oak and juniper surround the upper campsites; sites closer to the waterfront are in full sun. Grassy fields of native hill country plants and wildflowers dot the landscape. Rocky outcroppings are scattered throughout the park.Nearby Attractions
Canyon Lake is near many sites of interest including Natural Bridge Caverns and the historic town of Gruene in New Braunfels.Charges & Cancellations
The reservation system has the right to charge you fees for shortening or extending your stay, or cancelling a reservation.CRANES MILL PARK Campground
List of CampsitesOverview
Cranes Mill Park is located on a long peninsula on the southwestern shore of Canyon Lake in Texas Hill Country, halfway between Austin and San Antonio. Dramatic sunrises to the east of the park across Canyon Lake and sunsets on the western side of the park behind the Guadalupe River make this an unforgettable location.Recreation
Cranes Mill Park offers a ramp for boating and two fishing piers. The Canyon Lake area has many options for recreation including: helicopter tours, boating, kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, dining, hiking, biking, fishing, camping, waterskiing, parasailing, horseback riding, guided gorge tours , river tubing, and much more. Anglers are welcome to try their hand at trout fishing in the Guadalupe River between the dam and New Braunfels.Facilities
Cranes Mill Park hosts 30 RV sites, 34 tent sites, water and electrical at most sites, a dump station, restrooms with hot and cold showers, boat ramp in the park with restroom facilities, two fishing piers, adjacent marina and many undeveloped acres of land where the wildlife is abundant.Natural Features
The Guadalupe River flows into Canyon Lake on the west side of Cranes Mill Park creating tranquil, warm summer evenings as the sun rests across the horizon. The peninsula is home to wildlife including deer, squirrel, fox, armadillo, raccoon, Cardinals, dove, Mockingbirds, finch and swallow.Nearby Attractions
Some of the local attractions include: Historic Downtown Gruene Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns, Wonder World in San Marcos, Comal River, Guadalupe River, San Marcos River, Lake Dunlap, Lake McQueeny, historic downtown New Braunfels, San Antonio River Walk, Six Flags, Sea World and many others.Charges & Cancellations
The reservation system has the right to charge fees for cancellation of a reservation, or for changes to a reservation. Changes include shortening a stay, extending a stay, or site transfers.North Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
Jacobs Creek Facility
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
Canyon Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
Cranes Mill Park Facility
This recreation area is part of Canyon Lake
