Our whole family loves this park. Not only is it visually stunning, the facilities are well-kept and clean. The hiking trails are also great.On occasion my husband and I will get a cabin mid week and almost have the park to ourselves if school is in session.
Ink's Lake has, over many years, become the place for our family to plan several tent camp outs during the year. The staff and Hosts are always polite and helpful. Bathrooms and showers are plentiful and clean. Tent sites are roomy with fire pit and grill, easy water access at sites w/water. A number of sites are close to the lake so we are able to tie up our pontoon boat close by. The folks at the Park store are an exceptional bunch!
My wife and I tent camped for 5 days at site 349 which has a water spigot, a picnic table, lots of shade, and a fire ring. Getting a site with water or water & electricity both, is the only way to be near the lake. The primitive camp sites are the farthest from the lake & you have to pack all your gear in. We were able to park next to our site and unload from there. We were only 30 feet or so from the lake bank, but some sites are farther from the water. The south fishing pier was close to our site and there is also a north pier. There were restrooms nearby with running water, flushing toilets, and semi-private showers. Near there is stacked firewood you can purchase on an honor system by inserting $5 into a box on a post. Also, there's a $1 soft drink machine. The fees for entrance & camping really make getting a Texas State Parks Pass a smart idea. There are also small cabins to rent with beds and heat and a/c. The showers at the restrooms near the cabins are private & we preferred to use them. There is a small convenience store in the park, run by park staff & a restaurant, which we didn't visit. The store has supplies such as firewood, ice, drinks, bacon, eggs, milk, fishing gear, hats, souvenirs, OTC meds, insect repellant, sun block, many other food items & various other sundries. They have live worms for fishing behind the checkout station, I missed them the first time in the store. You can rent a kayak or canoe for $15 an hour, complete with paddles & life vests, which you are required to wear. The entire park staff were all very friendly & very helpful. There is a quiet time between 10pm & 6am, no loud music or noise to disturb your fellow campers. There is also a rule against the public display of alcohol. Both of these rules are strictly enforced. There are several hiking trails to walk, some are more challenging than others, none are a breeze. Do yourself a favor and wear good hiking or tennis shoes, invest in a walking pole, take plenty of water, and be aware of your surroundings. There was not a burn ban when we went but be aware that there is always a possibility of a ban being in place. Fishing is good, I caught a couple of very good sized bass from the bank right by our campsite at night using plastic worm lures. My wife also caught a few perch the size of my hand on live worms. Please remember to always clean up after you & yours, try to follow the leave no trace rule. As Texas citizens, this is our park and we should respect and care for it. We are already looking forward to our next trip to this park.
This is a beautiful lake and we enjoyed the RV campsites in a previous visit. Well maintained, clean restrooms, and helpful "park hosts."
Behind Garner State Park, this is the second best place to visit as far as state parks go. Clean, safe, convenient, and absolutely wonderful. Once you stay, you will see what I mean! You Must Make Reservations Ahead of time. I can't stress this enough! We love this place. The lake here sent my wife into labor with our last child. She was so relaxed and at peace while we where here.
Many years ago we discovered this wonderful Texas state camping park and have returned often. Reservations are required to be assured of a choice site.. any site at times. We often drop in and sometimes a cancellation opens a site. The routine to stay without a reservation, even for another night, begins at the office 'before' 8am when the line forms. Take note of your place in line and be sure the others are aware..Our personal favorites are near the reservoir lake, not far from the fishing pier (there are two), where we can fish without a license, sometimes from our RV doorway. Cabins are available. The Texas State Park Pass is worth the expense, as a few free nights enter the equation, along with the entrance fee waved. Tents are like a city of themselves toward the south end. Children love this camp ambiance, where they have freedom to interact with parents and family. Bring bikes, this place is big and has lots of trails.Ducks, Coots, Geese, Squirrels, Lots of Deer and many interesting birds with their unique songs, including the beautiful Caracara (Mexican Eagle). We have been fortunate to be there as the 'Scissor Tails' migrate through. Their 'dance' in mid flight is memorable. Chris Landing on the commons, offers excellent burgers and chips (check schedules), along with 'Star Parties' on clear evenings. Rental canoes, pedal boats and kayaks at the store, make visits to Devils Hole (lots of turtles) fascinating. The water is clear and held at fairly constant level by nearby Buchanon Dam. Burnett is not far and always has something of interest. We often tour the circle through Marble Falls on days of leisure. Whenever this park is full, they recommend Black Rock on Buchanon. Not nearly as marvelous, but still very nice in spite of drought low water levels. DaFlikkers. blogspot has story of recent trip.
We were limited to what we could, due to the nonstop rain. We still managed to hike around 3 miles and had a blast. Love the rock formations and multiple elevation changes. Definitely will go back
This one of Texas State Parks that everyone should visit. Beautiful views of the hill country, lake levels are always good with swimming and fishing in the top 10 of all lakes. Clean well maintained and always friendly staff. Big camp sites and easy to back a RV of travel trailer into.
We have been coming to the Inks Lake state park for 20+ years and it has become our personal favorites. Inks Lake is a constant-level lake so it never varies and has some of the best photo ops in the hill country. Nice sites throughout the park, many with a gorgeous view right on the lake. As most state parks, the sites offer water and 30 amp electric. The Devil's Waterhole is another strikingly beautiful areas, making this a good destination.
We really enjoyed our recent trip and had a great campsite with "beach" access. Ducks visited us every day, there were deer, and other wildlife. We enjoyed all of the hiking. We have swum in the Devil's Sinkhole area before, but this trip was too cold for swimming.