Overlook trail above Inks Lake. Click on the image to view a larger version.

Inks Lake State Park

3630 Park Road 4 West
Burnet TX 78611
512/793-2223
Park locator map

History: Inks Lake State Park is 1201 acres of recreational facilities adjacent to Inks Lake on the Colorado River in Burnet County. The park was acquired by deeds from the Lower Colorado River Authority and private owners in 1940 and was opened to the public in 1950. Inks Lake is located in the Highland Lakes chain (7 lakes) surrounded by granite hills. The water level of Inks Lake is usually unaffected by drought and is maintained at a normal level most of the time. During flooding situations, the lake level can rise as the flood waters are passed through Inks Lake to other lakes downstream.

The park area has been used for cattle ranching since the mid-1800s. It remained a part of various ranches until the state acquired the land in 1940. Culverts and roads in the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps from the camp at Longhorn Caverns in the 1930s.

Interpretive Guide to Inks Lake & Longhorn Cavern State Parks (PDF 2.3 MB)

Activities: Visitors enjoy camping, backpacking, hiking, and golf. Since Inks is a constant level lake, droughts do not affect water-related activities such as lake swimming (unsupervised beach), boating, water skiing, scuba diving, and fishing.

Tours: Tours and guided activities include nature walks, geology hikes, fish seining, lakeshore ecology, Junior Ranger programs, and the Devil's Waterhole Canoe Tour. Check the Calendar of Events for dates and other information.

Area Attractions: The Lyndon B. Johnson State Historic Site; Colorado Bend State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park, and Longhorn Cavern State Park; Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; a federal fish hatchery; Vanishing Texas River Cruise; Granite Mountain quarry at nearby Marble Falls that furnished material for the Texas State Capitol; Lake Buchanan and Buchanan Dam (the largest multi-arch dam in the world is located 4 miles from the park); Lake Lyndon B. Johnson; Lake Marble Falls; and Lake Travis; and the historical districts in Burnet, Llano, Johnson City, and Fredericksburg. You may want to refer to nearby L.C.R.A. parks.

Campsites & Other Facilities: The park has just opened Limited Use cabins. The inside has two sets of single bunk beds (sleeps 4) with mattresses, a table and 4 chairs, air conditioning, a ceiling fan, and an electrical plug (30 amp). No cooking allowed inside cabin. The outside has a grill, fire ring, picnic table, water spigot, and an electrical plug (30 amp). Tents and/or a small trailer or a pop-up is allowed outside the cabin. A maximum of 8 persons are allowed at each mini-cabin. No pets are permitted in the cabin area.

Other Facilities include restrooms with showers; picnic sites; campsites with water; backpack sites (1.5 miles in, ground fires prohibited, no drinking water, primitive toilet on trail); a sponsored youth group area (primitive); a group picnic pavilion with tables (capacity 25); an amphitheater; lighted fishing piers; a boat ramp; spread throughout each camping area, except for primitive, are 8 playgrounds; 7.5 miles of hiking trails, including 1.5 miles of backpacking trails; a 9-hole golf course, with golf carts and clubs available to rent; and a Texas State Park Store that rents canoes, paddle boats, and surfbikes year-round; they also offer groceries; and specialized gifts year-round. Wireless internet access (Wi-Fi) is available for park visitors to use. Listing of State Parks with wireless internet access.

Fees
Map of Park (PDF 144.8 KB)

Check availability/make reservations for Inks Lake S.P.
You can also make e-mail reservations, fax reservations or phone reservations

Natural Features: The park is a panorama of cedar and oak woodlands, wildflowers, and pink granite outcroppings in the Central Texas Hill Country. Deer, turkey, quail, numerous songbirds, and other species of wildlife are abundant in the park. The most commonly caught fish are bass, crappie, and catfish.

Inks Lake State Park - Recipes for the Birds (PDF 150.8 KB)

More information on the wildlife mentioned here:

Texas Wildlife Factsheets.

Elevation: 900 feet.
Weather: July average high 98; January average low 33; May, September, and October are wettest months; first/last freeze: November 14/March 29.

National Weather Service forecast for this area.

View a larger version of the location map.

Schedule Information: Open: 7 days a week year-round, except for Public Hunts; no gate. Check the Calendar for events and access restrictions scheduled within the next 3 months. Office Hours: March through November: Monday - Thursday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 10 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. From December through February: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 days a week. Busy Season: Spring, summer, and fall.

Directions: The park is located 9 miles west of Burnet on State Highway 29 to Park Road 4. Go south 3 miles to the park headquarters. Park Location Map media download (PDF 104.8 KB)

Current conditions including, fire bans & water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, contact the park.

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