Lake Buchanan in Central Texas is the second largest of the highland lakes in the state. Created by the Buchanan Dam by the Lower Colorado River Authority, this lake has been a prominent feature of the Austin area since 1939.
Popular for camping, fishing, hiking trails, and other water activities, locals and tourists enjoy this lake year-round. With an abundance of RV resorts and recreational activities, this article will review some of the best places in Lake Buchanan and the surrounding area. The lake is a popular recreational destination, with over 1.5 million visitors per year.
Table of Contents
- RV Camping at Lake Buchanan
How to Get to Lake Buchanan
There are several ways to access Lake Buchanan, whether you want to arrive via the town of Bluffton, Tow, or Buchanan Dam. Texas-29 goes directly through Buchanan Dam, whereas Texas-261 curves through Bluffton and travels along the lake. Lake Buchanan is only about an hour and a half drive from Austin and a two-hour drive from San Antonio.
When to Visit Lake Buchanan
Lake Buchanan is open year-round, thanks to the great weather in Texas. With highs of the 60s in the winter, individuals can still enjoy the trails and boating activities on the water, among other recreational activities. However, if fishing is what draws you to the lake, bass and anglers are most easily found during the spring and fall months.
The summer months are the most popular for lake and camping activities. With hot sunny days and refreshing lake waters, you’ll want to make sure you book your RV site early to get your first pick of accommodation.
RV Camping at Lake Buchanan
Beachcomber Park
Beachcomber Park is a campground and RV park with cabins for rent on the lake. There are 50 sites available with electrical for RV camping. This park has a little bit of everything, with trails, boat slips, swimming areas, and grills.
Big Chief RV Resort
This fantastic RV park is located directly on Lake Buchanan and has almost 100 large RV sites. In addition, Big Chief RV Resort has a boat ramp and partners with a company to offer private fishing experiences for those interested. This resort is also pet-friendly.
Black Rock Park Campground
Black Rock Park Campground features RV sites, group campsites, and cabins for those looking for a more elevated experience. In addition, you’ll find a dump station on-site, a boat ramp, kayak rentals, and a swimming area. There is also a mini-golf course on site!
Bluebonnet Cove Casitas & RV Park
With waterfront cabins and big RV sites, Bluebonnet Cove Casitas & RV Park features an abundance of amenities on its 13.5 acres on the lake. The park provides access to a boat launch, swimming area, and a patio and fire ring with a charcoal grill.
Granite Rock RV Park
Granite Rock RV Park is located on the Colorado River just south of Lake Buchanan. This fantastic RV park features several RV sites with full hook-ups and great amenities. The grounds have a dump station, nearby hiking, and beer/wine tasting.
Oasis Lake Buchanan
Oasis Lake Buchanan is a smaller resort that features six cabins, 8 RV sites, a boat ramp, and a private beach on Lake Buchanan. Enjoy a peaceful vacation here and even bring your furry friend, as this is a pet-friendly location. RV sites come with full hookups.
Texas Hills RV Haven
Texas Hills RV Haven is your place if you’re looking for a laid-back RV resort on the water. This resort has cabins and RV sites available on Lake Buchanan with full hookups, a boat ramp, and a beachfront area. Each RV site also comes with fire rings for an evening bonfire.
Lake Buchanan Recreational Activities
Cedar Point Recreation Area
This recreation area is famous for picnicking and camping along with Lake Buchanan. Here you’ll find miles of shoreline and dozens of picnic tables. Take the day for a stroll or fish from the Ceder Point Recreation Area coastline.
Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock is a famous and pretty pink granite mountain in Central Texas. It features 11 miles of trails and great views along the way. Make sure to take a day trip here for the experience.
The rock is said to be haunted by Native American spirits, and it is a popular destination for hikers and climbers.
Highland Lakes
There are seven Highland Lakes in Texas, all spread along the Colorado River, formed by dams like Lake Buchanan. The lakes are used for water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and recreation. The other lakes are called Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis, Lake Austin, and Lady Bird Lake.
Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park is located next to Inks Lake in Burnet, Texas, only a few minutes away from Lake Buchanan. This state park features camping, geocaching, equipment rentals, and hiking opportunities. So if you want to extend your trip to the area, this is the perfect place to do it!
Longhorn Caverns State Park
Longhorn Caverns State Park is the sister park to Inks Lake State Park. The cavern is a unique limestone cave cut by an underground river that receded thousands of years ago and was used by outlaws, Native Americans, and soldiers. There are different tours to take here to learn more, and it makes for a fun adventure!
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area
Shaffer Bend Recreation Area offers a scenic getaway and 22 campsites for those looking for a few days out in the Central Texas country. Mountain bikers and horseback riders flock to this area for the multi-use trails and scenic overlooks with great beaches to relax on. Picnic tables and grills are also available at each campsite.
Conclusion
Lake Buchanan and the surrounding area have so much to offer visitors every season. With the year-round warmth of Texas weather, you can enjoy the RV resorts year-round while fishing during the right seasons and try blood-pumping water activities in the summer.
With an abundance of nearby recreational activities, you won’t be bored in the Lake Buchanan area. There are so many recreational areas and state parks along the Highland Lakes area that you could keep coming back to the area and experience something new.
Tony is an avid camper and RV traveler. He fell in love with camping on his first RV trip with his wife over 25 years ago. Tony loves sharing lessons learned and tips about RV maintenance and safe traveling.
