Created in 1939 with the building of the Buchanan Dam on the Colorado River in Texas Hill Country, Lake Buchanan is a reservoir in Texas located 60 miles northwest of the capital Austin and 95 miles north of San Antonio. It is the first and one of the largest of the Texas Highland Lakes at thirty miles long and just under five miles wide. Visitors are drawn to the area for its extensive 124 miles of shoreline, making it an excellent destination for recreational boaters, fishing fans, and seekers of other leisure activities. The lake sits over 1,000 feet above sea level and the Colorado River flowing into Lake Buchanan winds its way through pristine undeveloped ranch land. There are also four unique waterfalls and cliffs where bald eagles soar high above you. Granite gravel shores along portions of the lake also provide peaceful spots for swimming, observing nature, or just relaxing in peaceful surroundings.

The best time to visit Lake Buchanan is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are pleasant and there is limited rainfall. Fishing striped bass, the primary activity on the lake, is also best in the spring and the fall. Summer is quite hot, with the highest average temperatures almost hitting the 100 mark Farenheit in July. Despite the heat, locals enjoy summer events such as concerts, boat races on the lake, and local art shows without too much regard for a little sweat here and there. Winter months are temperate, with lows not daring to go below the 50 mark even in January.

Fishing on the Lake

Fishing for striped bass is the most popular activity on the lake, and there are a number of tours and rental boats available. You will need a Texas Parks and Wildlife fishing license, which can easily be purchased online for a small fee. Most boat tours will offer equipment, ice chests and will even clean your fish for you before you head back to your cabin in Lake Buchanan.

Texas Hill Country Wineries

Take a tour of the Texas Hill Country wine trail. Although Texas isn’t necessarily known for its wines, there are three well-regarded wineries near the lake that are worth the visit. In fact, Texas Wine Country is often compared to California's Napa Valley. The verdant Colorado River Valley and Lake Buchanan provide an excellent environment for growing a variety of grapes, which produce a number of wonderful local wines.

Longhorn Cavern State Park

Developed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the park’s star attraction is Longhorn Cavern, an underground wonder created by the dissolving and cutting action of an ancient river. Descend 130 feet below the surface, following the path of an ancient underground riverbed through room after room of geological wonders. Take a guided cave tour, hike a Hill Country trail, and admire some of Texas’ best examples of historic CCC architecture.