Lake Buchanan at the head of the Highland Chain of Lakes.

Central Texas is lucky to have so many lakes and rivers to enjoy the outdoors.  One of the features that make Lake Buchanan so special and enjoyable among the Highland Lakes is that while it is very accessible from several major cities, it hasn’t been spoiled by overcrowding. It’s an excellent lake to enjoy the natural beauty and charm of the Texas outdoors.

Lake Buchanan offers plenty to do, on and off the lake.  For the water lovers, Lake Buchanan’s large size ensures that you’ll have plenty of room to swim, fish, kayak, Jet Ski and boat.  Even on popular holiday weekends, this lake always has plenty of elbow room so you won’t feel crowded out by other visitors.  Lone fisherman seeking solitude will be able to find a quiet fishing spot, and newbie fisherman can find plenty of guided fishing tours to show them the best fishing spots.  Several locations rent boats, jet skis and kayaks, or you can launch your own boat at a local boat launch.

Visitors will also find a number of enjoyable activities and excursions near the Highland Lakes.  For a unique cruising tour offered only on Lake Buchanan, consider Vanishing River Texas Cruise.  Their cruises offer beautiful views along the Colorado River and give passengers an insider’s glimpse into the local wildlife, including viewings of the American Bald Eagle (who nests nearby) and rehabilitated birds.  Their dinner cruise option blends a tasty dinner with gorgeous sunset views over Lake Buchanan.   The tour guide also provides a lot of information about the lake and Buchanan Dam.

Visitors that are interested in the construction and history of Buchanan Dam should check out the Buchanan Dam Museum and Visitor’s Center located on West Highway 29, Buchanan Dam, TX 78609 (SH 29 W of Inks Lake Bridge).  Admission is free and the visitor’s center is open daily from 9-5 (closed holidays).  The museum features displays about the construction of this large dam, completed in 1937, and the observation deck lets guests witness spectacular views of the lake.

Hikers have a number of options within a short drive of Lake Buchanan.  Two locations have particularly special trails.  Canyon of the Eagles is perfect for novices since they have an easier terrain with plenty of wildlife, including a few endangered species like the Bald Eagle, Black-capped Vireos and Golden-cheeked Warblers.  Known for being one of the largest underground rock formations in the country, Enchanted Rock State Park is a popular hiking and picnic destination.  This hike is a little bit further away, but worth the drive.  Those who reach the summit are rewarded with sweeping views of the hill country once they reach the summit of Enchanted Rock.  Get there early to avoid crowds and make sure you get a parking spot.

Longhorn Cavern State Park is home to some absolutely stunning caverns that are definitely worth a visit.  These unique caverns were formed when limestone dissolved while underground streams simultaneously cut underground chambers over time, resulting in meandering, curvy chambers and haunting beauty.   The caverns offer a great chance cool off while seeing and learning about a truly special geographic wonder.

Finally, wine aficionados will enjoy a visit to Fall Creek Vineyards.  This local winery has been the recipient of several awards in the wine industry.  They are open daily for wine tasting and tours, and you’ll want to check their schedule to see when they are hosting their next lunch, complete with wine tasting.  Getting to the vineyard is half the fun.  If you drive, you’ll be able to drive a large span of Lake Buchanan’s perimeter and enjoy the views and landscape.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also rent a kayak and kayak to the vineyard.  The winery isn’t close to restaurants or shopping, so you may want to pack a picnic lunch and just enjoy a lazy afternoon of picnicking and wine tasting.

Happy travels as you explore the natural beauty of Lake Buchanan!

Tracey Louis is a former resident and innkeeper of Burnet, TX and loved the area so much that she still helps promote Burnet County and the Highland Lakes for the Burnet County Tourism Office.

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Great post, Tracey! I just want to add a few RV Parks on Lake Buchanan. Also, the lake is down about 9 feet, which puts some boat ramps out of the water.  However, the granite beach that is exposed is great for swimming.  There is also a fire ban on the lake at this time.

Poppy’s Pointe Resort

On the west shore of Lake Buchanan. Amenities include 9 cabins, 58 RV spaces, swimming pool, recreation hall, boat ramp, laundry room and lots of land and water toys.

Cedar Lodge Waterfront Resort

On the west shore of Lake Buchanan. Stay in a log house or log cabins, or bring your RV to oversized sites near the lake.  Meeting rooms, laundry facilities, horseshoes and fishing pier.

Beachcomber Park

On the west side of Lake Buchanan are cabins. Ten RV sites have a gravel base with grass, fruit trees and large red oak trees in the flat, oval shaped area in middle of park. There are also 50 back-in RV spots in various areas at this waterfront resort. There are 2 boat launches as well as boat docking and storage.

Hi-Line Lake Resort

Located on the shoreline on the west side of Lake Buchanan. There are seven sites on the waterfront with 30 amp electricity and water. There are 46 pull through sites on the hill with 20-30-50 amp electricity, water, and sewer. Stay in 16 waterfront cabins for rent and enjoy waterfront restaurant, boat rentals, swimming pool, 1800 feet of waterfront and enclosed fishing marina.

The Edgewater Resort

On the western shoreline of Lake Buchanan are 37 RV spaces, 14 with four-way hook-ups that may be reserved for daily/weekly customers.  The remaining 23 spaces have 3-way hook-ups. Washateria, shower rooms, recreation room,  boat docks, boat-launch, covered fishing pier, swimming pool and beach. Also available are 8 rental cabins with kitchens, one double-wide home and two mobile homes.

Big Chief RV Resort and Cabin Rentals

On n the east side of Lake Buchanan enjoy boating, skiing, swimming, and excellent fishing.  Beautiful waterfront location on Lake Buchanan with full hookups for RVs, cabin rentals, a general store, fitness room, TV/Game room, clubhouse, covered pavilion, planned activities, a boat ramp and more.

Texas Hills RV Haven

Located on the northwest side of Lake Buchanan, close to Tow and Falls Creek Winery. This waterfront resort has two rental cabins and fifteen RV spaces. Family owned and operated. Boat ramp, no showerhouse.

Canyon of the Eagles

This resort is a wonderful spot on the eastern shoreline of the lake. Twenty-three full-hookup sites with picnic table and fire ring. The park can accommodate large rigs on asphalt pads of 40 feet in length (back-in sites only).  Use of swimming pool and recreation room at lodge.

The Texas Water Safari, which was postponed in June because of the flooding of the lower Guadalupe River has been rescheduled to July 10. If another rain event occurs, the race will be postponed to July 24. If the river is flooding on July 24, the 2010 Texas Water Safari will not be rescheduled.

Photograph from Texas Water Safari website–all right reserved.

Texas Water Safari,
the world’s toughest canoe race:
260 Miles, 100 Hours, July in Texas

Since 1963, thousands of canoeists have started the 260+ mile race. The course of the Texas Water Safari (TWS) begins in the headwaters of the San Marcos River, flows past the confluence of the San Marcos and Blanco Rivers to the convergence of the San Marcos and Guadalupe Rivers, and then follows the length of the Guadalupe River to the Gulf coast.

When we left St. George Island, we took a leisurely drive to St. Andrews State Park.  We drove Hwy. 98 to Port St. Joe and then turned inland on Hwy. 71.  When we reached Hwy. 22, we turned left and traveled through to Hwy. 98/30 in Panama City.  We  crossed the Hathaway Bridge to Hwy. 3031 to St. Andrews State Park.

When we arrived at our site in the Pine Grove Campground, the sand of the site had been raked–like a Zen garden. There are a total of 176 sites on the Grand Lagoon with electricity, water, picnic tables and grills.  The sites vary in size and accessibility, so check with the park before booking a site.

Campsite on Grand Lagoon

We had one full day of rain, so we did not explore this park as usual. We did walk through the Lagoon Campground, down to the boat ramp and around to the Buttonwood Marsh Overlook. There were several Great Blue Herons nesting in the marsh, tucking their heads under their wings in the rain.

Buttonwood Marsh Overlook

This would be a great beach for summertime fun. I talked with other campers who had swam, snorkeled, scuba dived and surfed here later in the year. They did warn me that the jellyfish come with the sunshine!