Guide to Inks Lake State Park, Texas
Central Texas is notorious for brutally hot and dry summers. Easily experiencing over a month or more of temperatures in the triple digits, many do not consider central Texas an ideal vacation spot. However, there is one place in Central Texas guaranteed to give visitors precious relief from the heat and make you crave spending summers here on its shores: Inks Lake. Inks Lake is small by Texas standards but what it lacks in size, it makes up in beauty. One of the smallest of the Highland Lakes chain, a chain of lakes feeding off the Lower Colorado River, Inks Lake is clearly a central Texas favorite. And on the banks of Inks Lake, in Blanco county Texas sits Inks Lake State Park, perhaps a crown jewel of Texas State Parks. Inks Lake State Park offers a vast array of activities that will keep young and old visitors alike occupied and happy.
Water Activities
Arguably, the most popular attractions at Inks Lake State Park are the sheer granite cliffs surrounding Devil’s Waterhole. The cliffs attract brave swimmers who climb onto the great granite cliffs, making their way to the edge at either 10, 20 or 30 feet above water level. They gather their courage and plunge into the dark lake below. When they break the surface with huge smiles on their feet, bystandars applaud. Meanwhile swimmers float or paddle around Devil’s Waterhole or climb upon the rocky banks for a picnic and a rest, watching the jumpers dare themselves to go higher.
Lake swimming is also popular among the smaller visitors to Inks Lake State Park. Most of the lake is banked by shallow swimming areas where toddlers and young children splash in the cool lake water. Motorized watercraft are required to abide by no-wake rules while inside the park, protecting swimmers, canoers and kayakers from heavy and often dangerous wake and equipment.
If you enjoy boating, try renting paddle boats, canoes or kayaks at the park store located inside Inks Lake State Park. Paddle boats are fun excursians for kids and campers can rent canoes or kayaks for periods of one, four or twenty-four hours. The twenty-four hour rental gives campers the freedom to pull the boat right up to their campsite in the evening.
Inks Lake State Park has two public boat ramps giving boaters easy access to the lake. However, the lake portion inside the park is designated “no wake” area meaning motorized watercraft must drive slowly and carefully to protect swimmers. Boaters wishing to pick up speed for skiing or tubing can use the park boat ramp and proceed to the larger, non-park portion of Inks Lake.
Inks Lake is a fisher’s paradise with a lighted fishing pier on one side of the lake and undeveloped land on the other. Inks Lake boasts numerous secluded fishing locations stocked full of fish, including bass, crappie and catfish.
Camping
Inks Lake State Park is a favorite camping spot in Central Texas. The park is packed full of lakeside campsites. Campers, especially the little ones, can and do wake up and head straight into the water before breakfast by just walking a few feet from their tent or RV. For those wishing a more private experience with less children, the park also has numerous campsites that are not directly on the lake. It also lists several primitive campsites for those wishing to really get private and up close and personal with nature. If tent camping doesn’t suit and an RV isn’t available; campers can still experience the fun of an overnight trip to Inks Lake State Park by renting mini-cabins, complete with bunks and air conditioners (a necessity for camping in August in Central Texas).
Inks Lake State Park is very family friendly. There are eight playgrounds located throughout the park giving every campsite access to a playground. The park is patrolled regularly by park rangers; keeping campers safe by ensuring drivers drive safe speeds throughout the park.
Hiking & Golf
Inks Lake State Park is not just for camping, swimming and/or boating. The park has over seven miles of hiking trails winding through the craggy granite terrain. On any given day, hikers may view deer, turkey, quail, snakes, and other wildlife native to central Texas.
Golf is another pleasure located within the park. Inks Lake State Park has a nine-hole golf course located lakeside. If golfers find themselves unprepared, they can rent carts and even golf clubs at the clubhouse.
No matter what your outdoor pleasure, Inks Lake State Park has something for everyone. If you find yourself in Central Texas, head on over toward Burnet and take a fun-filled detour through Inks Lake State Park, you won’t regret it and you may just find excuses to come back.
