Hill Country Gem

Inks Lake State Park offers family fun on water and land. With its sparkling blue water, colorful rock outcrops, and striking sunsets, this gem of the Hill Country is just an hour northwest of Austin.

Things to Do

Inks Lake State Park is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Because the lake’s level usually stays constant, you can play here year-round.

On land, you can camp, backpack, geocache, play volleyball, picnic, and observe nature. We have 9 miles of hiking trails through shady forests and across rocky hills. Stop by our bird blind to see who's visiting. Rent our group picnic pavilion for your next family reunion. Contact us to ask about our all-terrain wheelchair, available for your use in the park.

On the water, you can swim (no lifeguards on duty), boat, water ski, scuba dive and fish. We have set aside a large, no-wake zone for paddling.

• Rent paddle boats, canoes, single and double kayaks, stand-up paddleboards (SUP), life vests and paddles at the park store.
• All boats are $20 for the first hour and $10 for each additional hour.
• Weather permitting, rentals are available daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., with all boats due back by 4 p.m.
• Be safe on the water; read our water safety tips.
• Watch for algae blooms in stagnant water. Learn more from the Lower Colorado River Authority. 

Camping

Stay at one of nearly 200 campsites or 22 cabins (two are ADA-accessible). Many sites are lakeside or have easy access to the lake. Several camping loops have playgrounds. Sponsored youth groups can rent our youth group camping area. 

Fishing

Fish for sunfish, catfish and several species of bass. We have two fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and a boat ramp. You do not need a fishing license to fish from a pier or the shore in a state park.

• Borrow rods, reels and tackle boxes with hooks, sinkers and bobbers.
• Detailed fishing and lake information for Inks Lake.
• Fishing Tip Sheet

Shopping

Buy food and supplies inside the park. The park store sells snacks, camping supplies and souvenirs. 

Kona Ice of the Hill Country offers drinks and frozen treats. Look for them in the Central Park area across from the Park Store. It's open weekends and most weekdays in the summer; hours subject to change.

Devil’s Waterhole

Hike the small canyon or swim at Devil’s Waterhole. When Valley Spring Creek is running, you can explore scenic waterfalls upstream of the lake.

Civilian Conservation Corps

During the 1930s, the CCC built roads, culverts, a boat house and dock at Inks Lake, as well as parts of Park Road 4 and facilities at Longhorn Cavern. To learn more, visit our History page.

Get involved

We need your help! Visit the Volunteer page or stop by headquarters.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Ranger Programs

Rangers lead nature walks, geology hikes, canoe tours and other programs.

Help your children explore nature through our Junior Ranger Program. Pick up a free Activity Journal or borrow an Explorer Pack.

• Check the Events page for upcoming programs.
• Call the park to schedule a program for your group.
• Interpretive Guide to Inks Lake and Longhorn Cavern State Parks

Teachers: This is a Texas Aquatic Science Certified Field Site.

Area Attractions

Nearby cities offer museums, shopping and restaurants:

• Burnet
• Llano
• Marble Falls.

Don’t miss:

• Longhorn Cavern State Park
• Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery
• Buchanan Dam (the largest multiarch dam in the world)
• Vanishing Texas River Cruise
• Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
• Great Texas Wildlife Trails:  Stone Bluffs Loop – best wildlife viewing in the area.