WELCOME to Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake

he lure of the waters of the Guadalupe River drew the rst settlers to this area. By the mid 1800s, settlements began to take hold. Flooding was a major problem all along the Guadalupe, and a er major oods hit in 1936 and 1938, the people began to demand that the government take some action. A er thorough research, the US Army Corps of Engineers selected the spot for the dam about 16 miles north of New Braunfels.

Canyon Lake, as we know it, happened once the dam was built. Since its dedication in 1966, the area has ourished as a water recreation destination. Tubing along the Guadalupe is a perennial favorite, but the river is also known for its trout shing, a favorite among anglers below the dam. e lake also o ers shing, stocked primarily with bass and cat sh. Boating, water skiing, swimming and personal watercra use also attract many visitors to the lake, along with a relaxed, laid-back atmosphere in all its communities.

One visit is all it takes to become enchanted with what is now known as the “Water Recreation Capital of Texas.”

ings to Do in Canyon Lake

Archers Haven

23655 FM 306

Canyon Lake, TX 78133

Phone: (210) 393-4168 hwww.archershaven eldarchery.com ere is a practice range with distances from 20 yards to 80 yards, and a 28 eld target walk-thru range with 14 targets available. Archery lessons are available and are conducted by Mr. Bubba Bateman IV, a certi ed level II instructor. Lessons are for all ages with an emphasis on youths. is club is a members-only club with a daily shooting fee for non-members.

Archers Haven is a family oriented club and we are seeking new members who are like minded and love the sport of archery. Active military personnel and those who have been injured will receive a discount on their membership.

Canyon Lake Gorge Rocks

www.canyongorge.org e Canyon Lake Gorge is a beautiful and natural insight into the geology and hydrologic dynamics of Glen Rose limestone in Comal County near Canyon Lake. e Gorge was created, or “cut”, when oodwaters escaped over the spillway at Canyon Lake during the Flood Event of 2002. e Gorge Preservation Society is pleased to be able to open the Gorge to visitors through guided educational tours. Learn about the “Power of Water” while hiking to see dramatic Gorge vistas, several waterfalls, beautiful lagoons, biologic succession, the Hidden Valley Fault, geologic formations, an aquifer in action and numerous springs. e GPS mission is to promote the enjoyment and conservation of a unique natural phenomenon by encouraging responsible, quality access opportunities through academic partnerships, economic initiatives and citizen involvement.

Hiking through the Canyon Lake Gorge can be physically demanding and is not recommended for people with bad knees, ankles or heart conditions. Children must be at least 7 years old. One adult must be present for each child, ages 7-10, while for ages 10-15 there must be one adult present for every 3 children. For youth ages 16-20, one adult should be present for every 5 young adults. Tours last an average of 3 hours.

Fishing the Guadalupe River

Each year, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy a variety of activities on the Guadalupe River near Canyon Lake. Fishing, especially trout shing, is a popular activity on this beautiful central Texas river. e Guadalupe is over 250 miles long and ows from the western edge of the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf of Mexico. For the rst 15 or so miles below Canyon Lake Dam, the river is also commonly called the Canyon Reservoir Tailrace. is stretch of the river is one of the state’s most popular freshwater trout sheries and is the only year-around trout shery in Texas. It has been voted one of the Top 100 Trout Streams in America. e cold water released deep from Canyon Lake makes year-around survival of trout possible. Trout stockings by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Guadalupe River Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GRTU) take place each year from November through March. In a typical year, well over 25,000 trout are stocked in the tailrace, ranging in size from 8 to 22 inches in length.

At other times of the year, this portion of the river is home to several species of bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted, and Guadalupe), sun sh, cat sh, and other game sh. ere are even schools of large striped bass that arrived in the river thanks to the ood of 2002. e Guadalupe’s clean, cool waters make it a pleasant place for the sh and those who sh for them. In order to sh on the river you will need a valid shing license with a fresh water shing stamp, unless exempt. Fishing license exemptions can be found in the current TPWD Outdoor

Annual. Much of the shing activity in the Guadalupe River below Canyon Lake, especially during the winter months, is for raiow and brown trout. ere is a special regulation for these species in a portion of the river (check the TPWD annual for details). is regulation is intended to provide a high quality catch-and-release trout shery. In this section of the river only one trout per day over 18 inches may be harvested, and it must be caught on an arti cial lure. Outside this area, from Canyon Lake dam downstream to the eastern most bridge on Highway 306, and from the second bridge crossing on River Road downstream, there is no minimum length limit for trout and the daily bag limit is 5. In these areas, trout may be harvested regardless of the bait type used.

When planning a trip, consult the TPWD at www.tpwd.state.tx.us, TPWD publishes trout stocking dates in late October.

Guadalupe River Tubing

e Guadalupe River is the most popular river in Texas for water recreation due to its scenic beauty, cold clear water and proximity to large metropolitan areas.

Among the favorite sections for tubing or “toobing” is what is known as the “Horseshoe” or “Tube Loop”. e starting point for this section is the western bridge on FM 306 and its end is the east bridge of FM 306, although most tubers continue oating downstream to the 4th Crossing Bridge on River Road or beyond, depending on water ow. Release rates are controlled ows from Canyon Dam and can range from a leisurely oat to an exciting run through several rapids. Always check with a reputable out tter for current ows and use caution anytime you are on the water by wearing a life vest. If needed, use straps on your glasses and remember, no glass or polystyrene on the lake or rivers. is beautiful part of the Guadalupe can become crowded on summer weekends, so try to plan your trip for weekdays if possible. ere are many lodging and camping facilities in the area, some with river views or access that can make your Guadalupe get-a-way even more enjoyable.

Heritage Museum

4831 FM 2673

Canyon Lake, TX 78133

Phone: (830) 899-4542 www.theheritagemuseum.com e Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill County is located between Sattler and Startzville near Canyon Lake. Its mission is to encourage and foster awareness of the natural and cultural history of Comal County and the Texas Hill Country through the collection, preservation and interpretation of its rich history. e Heritage Museum o ers displays on Native American and pioneer history, fossils, the construction of Canyon Dam, and much more. For groups of ten or more, special tours may be scheduled.

Lodging in Canyon Lake www.canyonlakechamber.com

A visit to “ e Jewel of the Hill Country,” as Canyon Lake is called, and to the nearby Guadalupe River on a day trip is most enjoyable, but a longer visit is even better, maybe even irresistible. And for overnight visits there are plenty of places to stay to round out the enjoyment of your visit. All kinds of lodging possibilities are available, from the luxurious to the rustic – bed and breakfasts, lodges, cabins, RV parks, campgrounds, condos, and home vacation rentals. Some are near the lake and some near the river, so you can be close to where you enjoy your favorite water sport activities.

Trails of Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers which maintains ve designated trails with a variety of uses and levels of di culty. Designed for recreational use, these trails are well-maintained. Please check for speci c di culty of a train before attempting it.