Inks Lake State Park

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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.

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, one- to two-person kayaks, life vests and paddles at the park store. Canoes and kayaks are $20 per hour and paddle boats are $15 per hour. Weather permitting, rentals are available Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday - Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Be safe on the water; read our water safety tips.
  

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.

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
  

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

Kona Ice of the Hill Country offers food, drinks, frozen treats and more. 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.