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Austin
Experience Home > Outdoors
Inks
Lake
3630
Park Road 4 West
Burnet, TX 78611
512-793-2223
Reservations: 512-389-8900
Hours
Day use permit entitles you to use of the park until 10:00 p.m.
Fees
Adults (13 and up): $4
Children (12 and under): $2
Camp site: $10-15
Mini-cabins: $35
Directions
The park is located 9 miles west of Burnet off of State Highway
29. Signs for the park will direct you to Park Road 4. Go south
3 miles to the park headquarters.
General
Information
Inks Lake State Park is a 1201 acre area with lakefront camping
spots. Inks Lake is part of the Highland Lakes chain. It is surrounded
by hill country. Available activities include camping, backpacking,
hiking, golf, swimming, boating, water skiing, scuba diving, and
fishing.
A Texas
State Parks Store , located next to the boat ramp sells ice, firewood,
and a variety of items. Additionally, they rent paddle boats, canoes,
and kayaks fro use on the lake.
AustinExperience's
Take on the Lake
A friend of mine had been camping twice at Inks Lake; once in a
mini-cabin, and once at a traditional campsite for tent camping.
They raved about how much they enjoyed the park. I called a week
in advance and was not able to reserve a camping spot because they
were all booked. So, my wife and I decided to head out for a day
trip.
Problem
number one became very apparent after driving around the park for
about 15 minutes. If you don't have a camping spot, access to the
lake is restricted to a fairly small (in comparison to the rest
of the park) day use area. If you have a dog, like me, the areas
where you can go become even more limited.
Problem
number two is seasonal. The park was incredibly crowded.
Driving by the campsites, you notice that the sites are very close
to one another. At capacity, there is little room between groups.
Although I told my friend she really wasn't camping when they rented
the mini-cabin, I think it would actually be my preference because
they are a little spread out, they have direct access to the lake,
and you can have a little privacy. Camping in the fall or spring
when it's not peak season is probably better.
The
lake itself is relatively calm. It's ideal for canoeing or kayaking.
I spent the day lounging around on a raft. I noticed a few people
fishing off the pier, and others drifting on tubes behind a boat.
The area is very scenic.
If
I could camp when the park is not so crowded, I'm sure I would enjoy
myself. The park has many amenities. I'm a very basic camper that
doesn't require much, but if you go RV'ing, or must have access
to a shower, the park is worth checking out. If you are looking
for a little more room and don't need to be pampered, I'd recommend
checking out Pace Bend Park instead.
Rules
-
All pets must be on a leash at all times.
- Public
consumption and/or display of alcoholic beverages permitted.
- A
maximum of 8 people (4 in primitive area) is permitted per campsite.
- Quiet
time is from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Number
sites are for overnight camping. No picnicking.
Good
to Know
- Call
ahead for reservations (512-389-8900).
- An
excess parking fee is required at campsites with more than two
vehicles. This includes trailers.
- The
golf course at Inks Lake is a 9-hole course. Green fees are $12-$14.
Tee times are on a first come, first serve basis. Credit cards
are not accepted. For more info, call 512-793-2859.
- For
more information about the Texas State Parks, check out www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
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A
mini-cabin at Inks Lake |
Near
Devil's Waterhole at Inks Lake |
Austin
Experience Home > Outdoors
Written
by Jason Massey
© 2002 AustinExperience.com
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