Inks Lake State Park

Park Alerts...

Inks Lake State Park

  • Inks Paddlers and Friends
    When the temps soar, it's time to head to the lake! Rent paddling equipment at our park store.
  • Inks Swimmer
    Stay cool in the water!
  • Inks Lake Devils Cove
    Hike up pink granite hills for Hill Country vistas.
  • Inks Lake Pier
    Fish for sunfish, catfish and bass. Borrow gear to try a new sport!
  • Inks Lake Campers
    Set up camp on the shore of the lake.
  • Inks Lake Rocks and Flowers
    This rocky country is home to lots of wildflowers and wildlife.
  • Inks Lake Sunset Family
    Spend a day at the lake with your family and make lifelong memories.
  • Inks Lake Sailboat
    At the end of the day, you'll be glad you came.

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.

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.

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

Area Attractions

Nearby cities offer museums, shopping and restaurants:

Don’t miss:

Burn Ban in Effect

3630 Park Road 4 West
Burnet, TX 78611

Latitude: 30.737356

Longitude: -98.369007

(512) 793-2223

Entrance Fees
  • Adult (Day Use): $7 Daily
  • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Hours

Open daily, 
8 a.m. - 10 p.m.

 

Headquarters & Park Store:
Open daily,
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.


We often reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit.


Check our Twitter feed or Facebook page or call the park for updates.

Busy Season

Spring, summer and fall

Climate

January average low is 33 degrees. July average high is 98 degrees. Wettest months are May, September and October. First freeze occurs mid-November. Last freeze occurs late March.

National Weather Service forecast for this area
Elevation

900 feet