Things to Do in Canyon Lake: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Canyon Lake, in the Texas Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin, is a clear reservoir surrounded by limestone hills, with boating, swimming and the famous Guadalupe River tubing below the dam.
This guide covers the best things to do in Canyon Lake, 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries with Gruene, New Braunfels, Wimberley and San Antonio, plus food and where to stay.
Top things to see in Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake
Clear water for boating and swimming.
Canyon Lake Gorge
Guided hikes through a gorge carved by a 2002 flood.
Guadalupe River
Classic Texas tubing.
Canyon Park
Beach and picnic area.
Gruene Historic District
Gruene Hall, Texas's oldest dance hall.
New Braunfels
German heritage and Schlitterbahn.
Natural Bridge Caverns
Giant caves.
Wimberley
Artsy town and swimming holes.
Canyon Lake in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Lake day
Spend the morning swimming at Canyon Park or one of the lake's parks. Lunch at a marina grill. In the afternoon, rent a pontoon or jet ski. Watch the sunset over the hills.
2Day 2 · Gorge
Join a guided hike through the Canyon Lake Gorge, viewing fossils, dinosaur tracks and springs. Lunch in Startzville. In the afternoon, relax at the lake. Dinner at a local barbecue joint.
3Day 3 · Guadalupe River
Float the Guadalupe River below the dam with an outfitter. Picnic lunch by the river. In the afternoon, continue floating or rest. Spend the evening at Gruene Hall for live music.
Canyon Lake in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · New Braunfels
Visit Schlitterbahn water park or tube the Comal River in New Braunfels. Lunch at a German restaurant. In the afternoon, Gruene's shops and wineries. Dinner at the Gristmill.
5Day 5 · Caverns
Explore Natural Bridge Caverns and the drive-through Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. Lunch nearby. In the afternoon, return to the lake. Evening at a winery.
Canyon Lake in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Wimberley
Drive to Wimberley to swim at Jacob's Well or Blue Hole and browse the galleries. Lunch on the square. In the afternoon, visit a vineyard. Return to Canyon Lake.
7Day 7 · Last day
Final swim and brunch, then head to San Antonio or Austin airports, about an hour away.
What to do in Canyon Lake on a weekend
For a weekend in Canyon Lake, combine lake time, river tubing and Gruene Hall.
San Antonio and Austin are about an hour away.
What to do in Canyon Lake in the evening
Evenings mean live music in Gruene, sunsets on the lake and Texas barbecue.
Stargazing in the Hill Country is excellent.
Canyon Lake for couples
Couples can book a lakeside cabin, sip Hill Country wines and dance at Gruene Hall.
Canyon Lake with kids
With kids, swimming, tubing, the caverns, Schlitterbahn and the wildlife ranch are favorites.
What to eat in Canyon Lake
Texas barbecue
Brisket and ribs.
Tex-Mex
Breakfast tacos and enchiladas.
German sausage
New Braunfels heritage.
Peach cobbler
Hill Country peaches.
Craft beer
Local breweries.
Where to stay in Canyon Lake: best areas
Lakeside cabins
Water views.
Startzville
Near the gorge.
Gruene
B&Bs and music.
New Braunfels
More choice.
What to do in Canyon Lake when it rains
On rainy days, visit Natural Bridge Caverns, wineries, or the museums of New Braunfels.
How much does a trip to Canyon Lake cost?
Expect $150 to $300 per night, $15 to $30 for meals and $25 to $40 for tube rental.
Practical tips for Canyon Lake
Best time to visit
April to October.
Getting around
A car is essential.
Our practical tips
- Check river flow before tubing.
- Book Gorge tours early.
- Bring water shoes.
- Respect alcohol and container rules on the river.
- Apply sunscreen.
- Reserve lake rentals early.
Mistakes to avoid
- Tubing at high flow.
- Bringing glass on the river.
- Ignoring the summer heat.
- Forgetting reservations at Jacob's Well.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Canyon Lake?
Lake days, the Gorge, Guadalupe tubing and Gruene.
Can you swim in Canyon Lake?
Yes, at designated parks.
When is tubing season?
Late spring to early fall.
How far is San Antonio?
About an hour.