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Updated May 2026 · 13 min read
If you want to understand why Inks Lake State Park books out faster than almost any other park in Texas, stand at Devil's Waterhole on a summer morning. The pink granite shoreline curves around a clear emerald cove. People are launching off the rocks and landing in the water below. A kayaker is rounding the corner from a cove only accessible by boat. The lake, unlike most Highland Lakes reservoirs, is completely full — it always is, thanks to its position in the chain. The water here is reliable, beautiful, and absolutely worth the trip.
Inks Lake is the water park of the Texas state park system, and it is priced at only $6 per person to enter. Nearly 200 campsites, 20 climate-controlled lakeside cabins, canoe and kayak rentals, a 9-hole golf course, and one of the best swimming holes in Hill Country. Getting a site is the challenge. Here is how to do it.
Inks Lake is located near Burnet in the Hill Country, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Austin. The park has 190 total campsites across five area types: Post Oak loop (sites 1–49, full hookup), Live Oak loop (sites 50–90, water + electric), Pecan Flats loop (sites 91–139, water + electric), Valley Spring Creek walk-in area (sites 140–165), and 20 lakeside cabins. Entrance is $6 per person per day.
The park's defining feature — beyond Devil's Waterhole — is the lake's constant level. Most Highland Lakes fluctuate dramatically with rainfall and drought conditions, leaving rocky, exposed shorelines when levels are low. Inks Lake, positioned as it is in the chain of Highland Lakes, maintains a consistent level almost year-round. This makes Inks Lake a reliable choice even in the drought years that periodically hit Central Texas.
The pink granite shoreline is beautiful, and paddling the coves is one of the best ways to experience the park. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available right inside the park — no need to haul your own gear if you do not have it.
Inks Lake is one of the most competitive reservations in the Texas state park system. With nearly 200 sites it sounds like there should be availability, but those sites fill up remarkably fast — especially for summer weekends when the lake is the draw.
Texas state park reservations open at 8 a.m. Central Time, exactly 5 months before your stay date. Summer weekends at Inks Lake — especially holiday weekends around Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day — are among the hardest in the entire state park system to book. Be online at 8 a.m. Central when the window opens, have your Reserve America account set up in advance, and know your preferred loop and site type before you start clicking.
The 20 lakeside cabins are the hardest of all to book. These are climate-controlled, have kitchenettes, lake views, and covered porches. They book out within minutes of the window opening for peak dates. If a cabin is what you want, treat the booking like concert tickets — be ready the instant 8 a.m. Central hits.
If you missed the initial window, cancellations are common. People's schedules change and sites do open back up, but they go fast. Watch ReserveAmerica directly for your dates to catch one before someone else does. Midweek visits are dramatically more accessible — the park is quieter and campsites are available with far less advance planning.
Inks Lake State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
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With nearly 200 sites across five distinct areas, Inks Lake has something for every camping style. Here is the breakdown.
The Post Oak loop has 49 sites with water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electric hookups at $25 per night. Pull-through sites are available, making this the best area for large RVs. Sites here have larger pads and easy maneuvering. Tent camping is permitted on these sites as well. The loop is convenient to park facilities including the store and equipment rental.
Live Oak has 41 sites with water and 20/30-amp electric at $20 per night. This loop is particularly popular with families because it is close to the swimming area, the park store, and the equipment rental station. Sites here book up first during peak summer weekends. The loop has good shade from live oaks. If you want a hookup site near the swimming action, this is the loop to target.
Pecan Flats has 49 sites with water and 20/30-amp electric at $20 per night. This is the largest single loop in the park and has a bit more breathing room between sites than Live Oak. The sites at the far end of the loop — away from the main park road — tend to be the quietest. A solid choice if Live Oak is fully booked or you want slightly more space.
Twenty-six walk-in tent sites at $15 per night with water available nearby. You carry your gear from a central parking area to your site. These are the most secluded tent sites in the park — wooded and private. If you want to get away from the lake noise and RV generators on summer weekends, this is the area to book. Quiet, shaded, and genuinely peaceful even when the rest of the park is packed.
Twenty climate-controlled cabins at $80 per night. Each cabin has electric heat and AC, a kitchenette, and a covered porch. These are lakeside cabins with actual lake views — not detached from the water experience. They are the most popular accommodation in the park and the hardest to book. Perfect for a couple, family, or any group that wants the Inks Lake experience without sleeping on the ground.
For families who want to maximize time at the water, sites 50–90 in Live Oak are the best position — close to the swimming area, store, and equipment rental. Book early because these go first.
For maximum privacy and quiet even on a busy summer weekend, sites 140–165 in Valley Spring Creek are the answer. You trade proximity to the lake for genuine solitude. The short walk to your site is worth the peace.
For RV campers who need full hookups and pull-throughs, Post Oak (sites 1–49) has the most RV-friendly infrastructure in the park. Larger pads, easier maneuvering, and sewer hookups.
For a special trip, the lakeside cabins (C1–C20) are worth the effort to book. A covered porch overlooking the lake is hard to beat for any season. Try to book a cabin on a weekday if you can be flexible — the competition is lighter.
Devil's Waterhole is the park's signature spot — a natural granite cove with a cliff jump into clear, deep water. Get there early on summer weekends before the crowd builds. The water is refreshing and the granite surroundings are beautiful. This is genuinely one of the best swimming holes in the Texas state park system.
Paddling the shoreline is the best way to discover the park's coves. Canoe, kayak, and paddleboard rentals are available right in the park — check the TPWD website or call ahead for current rental availability and hours. You can paddle right from your campsite in some loop locations. The pink granite coves accessible only by water are uncrowded even when the main swimming area is busy.
The 9-hole golf course inside the park is a legitimate gem. It is inexpensive, scenic, and usually uncrowded. Even non-golfers find it worth a round when the weather is right. Check with the park for current hours and fees.
Fishing from the pink granite shoreline is popular. The lake holds bass, catfish, and sunfish. You will need a valid Texas fishing license. The rocky shoreline provides good structure for bank fishing even without a boat.
Summer (June through August) is peak season and the hardest time to book. The lake is the main draw and the constant water level means Inks Lake delivers when other parks' lakes are low during drought. If you want a summer weekend, plan 5 months in advance. Weekdays in summer are easier and the park is noticeably calmer.
Spring (March through May) is excellent. Temperatures are comfortable, the lake is beautiful, and wildflowers add color to the granite shoreline. Spring weekends book up too, but slightly less frantically than peak summer. A great time for paddling and birdwatching.
Fall (September through November) is an underrated season. The lake is still warm enough to swim in September. October brings cooler temperatures perfect for paddling and hiking. Campsites are more accessible on fall weekends than in summer.
Winter is quiet and peaceful. The lake is beautiful in winter light and birdwatching is excellent as waterfowl arrive. Bring warm layers — nights can drop below 40°F. The lakeside cabins are cozy in winter and much easier to book than in summer.
Inks Lake sits in a cluster of Highland Lakes parks. Enchanted Rock is about an hour west for granite dome hiking and stargazing. Pedernales Falls is about 40 minutes southeast for limestone waterfall swimming and mountain biking. The town of Burnet is close and has good restaurants and a historic town square. Longhorn Cavern State Park is just a few miles away if you want to add a cave tour to your trip.
Inks Lake is one of the most competitive parks in Texas for a reason — it is genuinely excellent and the lake is reliably full year-round. Cancellations happen right on ReserveAmerica, so watching your dates there once the five-month window opens is still the most reliable way to catch one.
Check at consistent times each day, especially early morning and late evening, and be ready to book the moment you see an opening. If your dates are sold out everywhere, a cabin or vacation rental nearby in Burnet on Vrbo is a solid backup for your Inks Lake weekend.
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