JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
From boating to hiking, the Joint Base San Antonio
Recreation Park at Canyon Lake offers several year-round activities for JBSA
members and their families to enjoy in a scenic setting.
The park is 52 miles north of San Antonio on 250 acres
around Canyon Lake, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and
is open to active-duty service members and Department of Defense cardholders,
including dependents, retirees and civilian employees.
Jonathan Clifton, JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake
general manager, said the recreation area has camping, boating and lodging
facilities, RV parks, pavilions, picnic areas, hiking trails and beaches for
JBSA members to use.
The recreation area provides a pristine lakefront with peace
and solitude in the Texas Hill Country for JBSA members and their families to
enjoy, Clifton said.
Clifton said there are 81 lodging units to stay in and 18
pavilions and day use picnic areas. Pavilions can be rented for work or family
gatherings. There are two RV parks, with both full-service and electricity only
sites, with restrooms, laundry facilities and dump stations available.
In addition, the park’s country store provides food items,
beverages, fishing gear and other items for purchase.
The recreation area has three lakefront beaches and two
marinas, operated by the park. Park patrons can rent ski, fishing, pontoon and
paddle boats, canoes and kayaks at the Hancock Cove Marina, or rent a slip at
the Sunnyside Marina to store their boats.
Clifton said park users who want to rent a boat will need to
show proof of having completed a boater's safety course. Patrons who want to
fish are required to have a fishing license. Fishing licenses can be purchased
at the country store.
There are three miles of hiking trails in the park that
provide scenic spots and opportunities for hikers to view wildlife, including
deer, raccoons, foxes and birds.
Clifton said the park sustained flood damage in May 2015,
mostly to the two marinas, a pavilion and from debris. Repairs are still being
made to the marinas, but the marinas and other facilities are still open.
Clifton said the park is centrally located between San
Antonio and Austin. During the summer months, park users can go to nearby New
Braunfels for tubing in the Guadalupe River and to visit other attractions,
including historic Gruene and Schlitterbahn water park.
Reservations for camping, lodging and RV facilities should
be booked in advance. To make reservations, call toll-free at 1-800-280-3466.
Active-duty service members can reserve facilities for up to six months in
advance; DOD cardholders for up to three months.
The park is open 365 days a year.
For information on lodging rates, boat rental and storage
rates, pavilion rentals, park directions and hours, go to www.myjbsa-fss-mwr.com.