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    Old Hancock Trail

    3.5 (4 reviews)

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    Overlook Park & Canyon Dam

    Overlook Park & Canyon Dam

    3.9(32 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    Overlook Park and Dam at Canyon Lake (about 50-60ish miles from both Austin and San Antonio) is the…read morepublic park I visit most often since joining the CL community in June 2020. At least a couple of times per month, we make our weekend run over the dam from North Park and bask in the seasonal beauty of the big blue lake, the variety of plants on the slopes and forest, and the joy of other visitors taking it all in. Who knows how long it will last in these troubled times for public works, but today, the park remains free to enter from dawn to dusk. The enforcement of parking and capacity limits is by Comal County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), while the authority for the water and 1964-built dam falls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Game Wardens, and the Guadalupe - Blanco River Authority (GBRA). Finally, the Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) helps with safety signage and waste management around the park by providing free litter bags to make it as easy as possible for visitors to pack out their trash. The park technically doesn't promote swim access, and there is no lifeguard or buoy barrier system for protected swim zones, but you will see many swimmers and floaters in the cold water around the rocky shore during warm weather. The closer to the dam you are, the more likely you'll see fish swimming in the clear water, so bring your snorkel and enjoy. Keep in mind, depth drops off steeply down to 120 feet, so if you're not a strong swimmer, a life vest or other safety provisions may be in order. Certainly, keep an eye on your kids at all times. If you want a coveted spot for the day at the shoreline, you're going to need to plan ahead. Pack up your provisions, chairs, shade tent, what-have-you and get to the park as soon as possible after dawn to secure a parking spot. You'll need your goat feet and maybe an all-terrain wagon to get down the rocky trails to your place at the water. The shore is entirely limestone, so you typically won't be able to use stakes for a pop-up; plan to weigh down with something else, as Canyon Lake gets VERY windy. Restrooms are at the far southeast end of the park, near the Gorge overlook. You'll also find porto-johns near the dam gate and disabled parking spots. If you're still there by sunset, you'll hear the sheriff's deputy over a PA system asking you to leave. There is no camping or overnight parking allowed. Note that this park is also home to USACE headquarters for Canyon Lake. Their visitor center is open Mon-Fri, 8a-4:30p except for federal holidays. A few times per year, special events may open up an opportunity to drive across the dam's paved path (a.k.a. the Verada Real). These spots are secured through a charitable donation to the DAM Community Alliance (damcommunityalliance.com) and tend to sell out fast. Otherwise, only pedestrians, strollers, and bicycles are allowed on the paved path. Dogs should be on leash and poop should be picked up, please, for the love of all that is holy. More to come....

    We have lived next to Overlook Park and Canyon Dam for 10 years and it has gone to hell in a…read morehandbasket in the last two or three years. It's like the county government, in coordination with the Army Corp. of Engineers has decided that they just don't want people here. First it was erecting "no parking signs" on the road and handing out tickets by the sheriffs department. Then they installed tire flattener spikes at the exit and gate barriers so that access was restricted. They had the sheriffs department come in every night to throw people out at sunset. We used to call that person the "Dam Nazi" (Canyon Dam). Now they close the place early even before hours are over and sometimes they don't open it at all. And worst of all they've started lining tow trucks up to tow people's cars at sunset without warning. It's ridiculous. It's like they are practicing for totalitarianism. It's like the government has decided that they hate people. My daughter and son-in-law walked the over-the-dam walkway with our 3-year-old granddaughter; when they came back to leave, his pick-up truck was in the air - the tow truck driver said he would take $150 to lower it again so they could drive home. People are literally starting to move out of Comal County. It has become downright evil and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority seems to be getting rich by selling all of Canyon Lake's water downstream. This is the rural version of Los Angeles, Seattle or Denver. It's getting nasty.

    Photos
    Overlook Park & Canyon Dam
    Overlook Park & Canyon Dam - Canyon dam

    Canyon dam

    Overlook Park & Canyon Dam - Look there!

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    Look there!

    Guadalupe South River Nature Trail

    Guadalupe South River Nature Trail

    4.4(8 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    It's time for a summer 2024 update on my review of Guadalupe South River Nature Trail (GSRNT,…read morelocated just below the Canyon Lake Dam off South Access Road in Canyon Lake, Texas). I still love this park and trail system, and everything wonderful in my original review holds true, but there is an important caveat to share (read to the end to find out). Please, if you visit this wonderful park, leave no trace. Pack out what you bring in, and if you are able bodied, get bonus karma points by bringing in a WORD mesh bag (you can pick one up at the trailhead) to carry out any trash you may see along the trail. If we all work together, we can keep this place as a clean and harmonious place for all to experience the wonder and awe of Mother Nature. GSRNT is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with contributions by the local nonprofit Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) of Comal County and the Lindheimer Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists https://txmn.org/lindheimer/, plus semi-annual Eagle Scout projects for trail rehabilitation and Keep Canyon Lake Beautiful (KCLB) for trash pickup. Most people doing work on this trail system are unpaid volunteers who care about this community. Parking for about 30 vehicles is available on the tree-shaded dirt/gravel lot on the river side of the South Access Road, and the trailhead is at the corner of the lot. Walk carefully as you follow the trail, as there are quite a few rustic steps and tree roots with a bit of elevation change if you continue to the end of the 1 mile, single-track path. The 30 markers along the trail highlight some of the native plants that thrive near our Hill Country waterways. See the guide online at https://txmn.org/lindheimer/guadalupe-river-south-trail/ . If you aren't a hiker, there's great fishing on the bank and cold water for floating or lounging in a short chair. Bird watching is an option, too. Access to GSRNT is unfortunately restricted on weekends from Friday evening to Sunday evening since May 2023. Why? During the pandemic, exponentially more people began spending time outdoors and many new visitors discovered the beauty of the parks in the Texas Hill Country. Unfortunately, too many of these folks left behind litter and destruction, with no regard for the impact to other visitors, park maintenance volunteers & staff, or the natural habitat. This negative behavior resulted in changed policies and reduced hours at numerous parks, including GSRNT. The restricted access is a bummer for locals and conscientious visitors alike. Most people work during the week and only have time for hiking on the weekends. It's a shame that a few bad apples ruin things for everyone. :-( On the other hand, I am grateful that the damage to GSRNT is being minimized and it's in good shape whenever I am able to visit on weekdays.

    Who doesn't love a free nature park or trail! We came to…read morecanyon lake on new years weekend and had a list of their trails and parks we wanted to hit but a lot of it was closed except for this special trail. They had a decent parking lot and we began our trail. The trail is large and lengthy, there were a few benches and some decent pic spots, it's on the other side of the river and the housing area. The water in the river is also pretty clear. It was a nice free nature thing to do especially when the weathers nice!

    Photos
    Guadalupe South River Nature Trail
    Guadalupe South River Nature Trail
    Guadalupe South River Nature Trail

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    Jacobs Well Natural Area - Front entrance parking area

    Jacobs Well Natural Area

    4.2(163 reviews)
    10.8 mi

    I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more…read morecaptivating and visually appealing than my experience of it. But despite that notion, Jacob's Well overall is very underwhelming. The hike is probably the shortest and least challenging I've ever experienced. There are several mini trails that are great for kids to explore, along with a large tire swing at the front entrance. Jacob's Well is definitely very kid- and senior-friendly as it's not very strenuous at all to hike or walk around. It's a nice that it's there for everyone to experience nature but again, very underwhelming. We spent about half an hour there which was enough time to experience the entire area. Definitely worth a visit if it's your first time in Wimberley.

    My family and I stopped by here while driving around and was a fun experience. They had a play area…read morefor kids, a garden, some swings, picnic tables and few trails you can walk. They are known for the well so we naturally went there first. I was expecting a bit more honestly but it was cool to see regardless. The park itself is free but if you want to swim, you have to reserve it and only can during season (starts in may). I can't speak much on the swim itself but the hike there wasn't really bad honestly. There are a few paths that require you to be careful (climbing rocks and bit of steep hill) so hang on to the rails, ropes and don't step close to the edges. The paths themselves are actually really small not very far hikes. You can complete most of the trails in a day if you like but watch your step on some of the paths. The ones I liked were more rocky paths and a bit challenging but nothing too painful. There wasn't many people around either on the paths so was able to just enjoy and do some bird sightings. We even enjoyed a picnic there and nothing around us to bother us. Overall this was a fun experience to visit if you happen to be around. I think this place is fun if you have kids and need to burn some of their energy.

    Photos
    Jacobs Well Natural Area
    Jacobs Well Natural Area - Flowers all around

    Flowers all around

    Jacobs Well Natural Area

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    James C Curry Nature Center - Trail map

    James C Curry Nature Center

    4.5(2 reviews)
    5.9 mi

    If you're looking for a short hike with classic Hill Country features and almost no one else…read morearound, the Curry Nature Center (or preserve) is a wonderful free-to-the-public option in Canyon Lake. The coliche and timber-lined trail is very well maintained and plenty wide enough. The hilly loop is about .7 miles and whichever turn you take, you'll have some pretty good elevation change and some great terraced steps. The view is pretty mich tree-covered hills dotted with a few houses and cell towers. We didn't notice any creeks or springs, but there is a fountain at the trailhead. Our first visit was for a family walk during the first cool Fall weather in October 2020, and it was the perfect way to get outdoors and get the blood pumping before dinner. We encountered only two other parties along the short hike, each walking their dogs. Now that I'm a part-time Canyon Laker, I know I'll be back often to use this park for trail running workouts. You can make a challenge of running multiple loops, working on uphill and downhill stability and stamina. During summer, I recommend early mornings, as there is no shade at all on the path.

    Just shy of a mile, perfect loop to walk the dogs. Trail is clean and well maintained. The water…read morefountains at the entrance is perfect for both humans and furry companions. This will definitely be my go to spot!

    Photos
    James C Curry Nature Center - Trailhead

    Trailhead

    James C Curry Nature Center - Start of the trail

    Start of the trail

    James C Curry Nature Center - One of two big terraced climbs

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    One of two big terraced climbs

    Madrone Trail - It doesn't show here but you can definitely see the lake and nice sunset

    Madrone Trail

    3.7(6 reviews)
    1.5 mi

    What a gorgeous trail! This was such a good find. Plus nothing else was open because of the…read moreholiday. I needed a short hike to shake off the day and this was it! Gravel nature trails that led me down to the lake and back within 30 minutes. I saw a few people along the trail which was nice too! All the trails led back to the parking area and they're easy to read on the map in case you feel lost. Highly recommended!

    Time for a 2025 update on the changes to the visitor experience here at Madrone Trail. My past…read morereviews go over the terrain (varied with rock gardens, shade, & minimal elevation change) and rules (stay on trail; no lake swimming access). Check those older reports for more details. The biggest change since my last update is the opening of the Butterfly Garden just a few yards from the trailhead off Canyon Park Road. This curated and annotated pocket park is a neat little fenced-in microbiome of native plants offering a great place to observe the changing seasons and pollinators at work. The local chapter of Texas Master Naturalists have done a wonderful job here! The devastating drought in Central Texas for the past several years has dropped the level of Canyon Lake by 29 feet and there's no end in sight. This is sad for many reasons, but offers some interesting opportunities at Madrone Trail in early 2025. The shoreline has changed dramatically and you can now see what used to be under water since 1968. During our most recent visits in 2024-2025, we've walked on uncovered asphalt roads that used to service the Hancock community. We've also found sunken water craft and all sorts of lost objects from boaters over the years. WORD (the local nonprofit that stewards this park) is currently cleaning up all 85 miles of Canyon Lake's shore, so most of the big items will be taken away soon. However, it's always appreciated when trail visitors bring a trash bag and pick up any smaller debris encountered along the way.

    Photos
    Madrone Trail
    Madrone Trail - Make it to the lake within 15 minutes of starting

    Make it to the lake within 15 minutes of starting

    Madrone Trail

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    Old Hancock Trail - hiking - Updated September 2026

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