Best Boat Ramps To Use At Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake, Texas, is known for its boating and sailing, among other attractions. However, as of October 2024, only one of its 23 boat ramps remained open to the public due to the lake's low water levels. This was Ramp #18 in Canyon Park, which was also closed on November 1, 2024, due to safety concerns. As of November 2024, Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina is the only one still open, but it is privately owned and accessible only to marina members. Comal County plans to extend three boat ramps and improve several others to enhance accessibility during future droughts.

Boat Ramp #18 is Canyon Lake's last public boat ramp

Canyon Lake, Texas, is a popular destination for boating and sailing, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, and scuba diving, among other activities. The lake features eight Corps of Engineer Public Parks, 23 boat ramps, two marinas, campgrounds, a golf course, a country club, and a yacht club. However, as of October 2024, only one boat ramp, Boat Ramp #18, remains open to the public due to drought conditions.

The closure of Boat Ramp #18 is a result of the ongoing drought affecting South Texas. Canyon Lake is at historically low levels, down nearly 26 feet from normal and steadily falling. This has made it increasingly difficult for boaters to access the lake. The drought conditions are due in part to La Nina, which has brought drier and warmer than normal conditions to the region. As of January 2025, there have been 43 consecutive days without seeing more than .01" of rain in San Antonio and much of the area.

Despite the closure of Boat Ramp #18, there is some hope for the future. WORD has stated that if the lake rises during the fall or winter, they will consider reopening the ramp for public use. In the meantime, Comal County is extending three other boat ramps (Ramps 2, 7, and 8), which will improve access for boat owners and lakefront residents. Canyon Lake Marina has also taken steps to improve access by moving their boat slips 150 feet further into the lake and adding additional boat slips.

While the drought has presented challenges for boaters and lake enthusiasts, Canyon Lake remains a popular destination for outdoor activities. With its breathtaking waterfront views and abundance of wildlife, it continues to be a favourite spot for many in Central Texas.

Comal County is extending three boat ramps

Boat Ramp 2 will be extended by 25 feet, and six non-trailer parking spaces will be added, along with additional space for boat launches. Boat Ramp 7 will be extended by up to 100 feet, and Boat Ramp 8 will be extended by up to 75 feet.

The US Army Corps of Engineers operates seven major parks on the shores of Canyon Lake, with several others managed by Comal County. Some of these parks provide campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps, and opportunities for shoreline fishing. An entrance and/or boat ramp fee is charged at most parks.

Canyon Lake has 23 boat ramps, two marinas, campgrounds, a golf course, a country club, and a yacht club. The lake has a surface area of 8,230 acres and 80 miles of shoreline.

In October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp #18, remained open to the public due to low water levels. It was closed on November 1, 2024, due to safety concerns, leaving only Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina open, which is privately owned.

Canyon Lake Marina's privately-owned boat ramp #19

Canyon Lake Marinas privately-owned boat ramp #19

As of October and November 2024, Boat Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina is the only ramp still open at Canyon Lake. The lake has been experiencing extremely low water levels due to a prolonged drought, which has forced the closure of all other boat ramps.

Boat Ramp #19 is privately owned, and after the closure of Ramp #18 on November 1st, 2024, it is the only one of Canyon Lake's 23 boat ramps that remains open to the public. The Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) has stated that Ramp #18 is no longer safe for launching watercraft due to low water levels, and it will only be reopened if lake levels rise.

Canyon Lake Marina has been taking measures to adapt to the low water levels. They have moved their boat slips 150 feet further into the lake and have added additional boat slips from Cranes Mill Marina to maintain access for boat owners.

The Canyon Lake area offers a range of recreational activities, including boating, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, helicopter tours, parasailing, hiking, dining, and shopping. Canyon Lake has eight Corps of Engineer Public Parks, two marinas, campgrounds, a golf course, a country club, and a yacht club. The lake covers 8,230 acres with 80 miles of shoreline and is located 40 miles north of San Antonio.

It's important to note that zebra mussels have invaded the reservoir, so boaters must clean, drain, and dry their boats and equipment before travelling to another water body to prevent the illegal transport of these mussels.

Canyon Lake's 23 boat ramps

Canyon Lake in Texas has 23 boat ramps and a surface area of 8,230 acres with 80 miles of shoreline. The lake is located forty miles north of San Antonio and twenty-five miles west of New Braunfels and San Marcos. The lake is known for its breathtaking waterfront and lake views, and an abundance of wildlife.

In October 2024, only one of the 23 boat ramps, Boat Ramp #18, was open to the public. This was located inside the 485-acre Canyon Park. However, users were warned to use the ramp at their own risk due to low water levels, and extreme caution was advised. The ramp was due to close on November 1, 2024, due to safety concerns, and the fact that it no longer safely reached the water line for boats to be launched.

Boat Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina was also open at the time, but only to marina members. Canyon Lake Marina has boat slips from Cranes Mill Marina to keep access available to boat owners.

The Army Corps of Engineers operates seven major parks on the shores of Canyon Lake, with several others managed by Comal County. Some of these parks provide campgrounds, beaches, picnic areas, boat ramps, and opportunities for shoreline fishing. An entrance and/or boat ramp fee is charged at most parks.

Canyon Lake has a lot to offer visitors, including boating, water skiing, kayaking, fishing, scuba diving, helicopter tours, parasailing, hiking, dining, and shopping.

The Water-Oriented Recreation District (WORD)

In recent times, however, Canyon Lake has faced significant challenges due to drought conditions. The lake's water levels have dropped to historic lows, impacting boat ramp accessibility. As of October 2024, only one boat ramp, Ramp #18 in Canyon Park, remained open to the public. WORD closely monitored the situation, urging users to exercise extreme caution due to the low water levels and the potential risks.

Despite their efforts, Ramp #18 also had to be closed on November 1, 2024, due to safety concerns. In their official statement, WORD acknowledged the challenging decision:

> "As of October 30th, the lake level is at 882.42 and there is less than 14 feet of concrete ramp remaining with a severe drop-off at the end... At this time, we have made the difficult decision to close the ramp completely effective November 1st, as we do not believe it will be safe to use for launching any watercraft."

The closure of Ramp #18 marked the end of public boat ramp access to Canyon Lake, as the remaining Ramp #19 at Canyon Lake Marina is privately owned and accessible only to marina members.

Despite the setbacks, WORD remains committed to ensuring that Canyon Lake remains a safe and enjoyable recreational destination. They have indicated that if lake levels rise in the future, they will reconsider reopening Ramp #18 for public use. In the meantime, WORD continues to provide updates on the situation and explore options to enhance water access in the region.

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