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JBSA News
NEWS | Feb. 3, 2016

JBSA park at Canyon Lake provides year round activities

Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph Public Affairs

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.