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The water park of Texas state parks — with a lake that stays full even in drought, Devil’s Waterhole cliff jumping, and kayak rentals right in the park. Summer weekends book fast. Here’s how to get a site.
Inks Lake summer weekends book fast on the 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Camp.land does not alert for Texas parks — if lake-side sites are gone, check ReserveAmerica or a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Inks Lake fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
Grab a cabin or vacation rental near Inks Lake — privately-owned places around Burnet on Vrbo, ready to book tonight.
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Inks Lake reservations open exactly 5 months (150 days) in advance at 8 a.m. Central Time on the Texas State Parks system. With 190 campsites, it has more capacity than most parks — but its constant lake level means summer weekends still book up fast.
Cabins go first — year-round. Inks Lake’s 20 limited-use cabins are the hardest lodging to book at any time of year, not just summer. Among campsites, the Live Oak loop (closest to the swimming area and store) fills first.
March, May, June, July, and August are marked high demand (see the month-by-month breakdown below) — that’s spring break plus the full summer swim season. January, February, November, and December are easy to book for campsites, though cabins stay tight even then.
If your dates are already taken, don’t give up. Inks Lake gets regular cancellations, especially for cabins and 2–4 weeks before the date, so it’s worth checking ReserveAmerica directly. If nothing opens up in time, a cabin or vacation rental near Burnet is bookable today as a backup.
Find a place to stay near Inks Lake
If your dates are booked, cabins and vacation rentals near Burnet are bookable today on Vrbo.
Availability alerts are offered for 64 recreation.gov campgrounds, including Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains. For Inks Lake State Park, check cabins nearby:
Cabins near Burnet →Want the full breakdown? Read the Inks Lake camping guide.
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Inks Lake State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Inks Lake State Park
Granite coves and pine-dotted shores cradle private cabins near the constant-level waters.
See cabins & rentals near Burnet →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
With 190 sites and 20 cabins, Inks Lake has more capacity than most parks — but its reputation for reliable swimming means summer weekends still book up fast.
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance at 8 a.m. Central Time. For Memorial Day weekend, that means booking in late December. For a July 4th trip, book February 4 at 8 a.m.. Popular summer weekends, spring break, and fall holidays move fast.
The Live Oak loop (sites 50–90) fills first because of its proximity to the swimming area and park store. The 20 cabins are the hardest to book at any time of year — they're popular in every season. If cabins are your goal, check availability the moment the booking window opens and have a backup site picked out.
For families with kids: Live Oak loop puts you closest to the swimming area, park store, and boat rentals. For RVs: Post Oak loop (1–49) has full hookups with the largest pads. For solitude: Valley Spring Creek walk-in tent sites are wooded and quiet. For a real bed: a limited-use cabin (A/C unit, bunk beds, restrooms nearby) beats a tent — just plan to grill outside, since there's no kitchen.
Unlike Lake Travis, Buchanan, or other Highland Lakes that drop during drought, Inks Lake stays full year-round as a run-of-the-river reservoir. This means you can book it confidently even in dry years when other lake parks are disappointing. The swimming and boating are reliable no matter when you visit.
Summer weekends already booked?
Check ReserveAmerica directly for cancellations — Inks Lake sees regular cancellations, especially for cabins — or grab a cabin or vacation rental near Burnet you can book today.
See cabins near Burnet →Sites 1–49 · 49 sites · Water, Sewer, 30/50-amp Electric
Best for RVs — largest pads, pull-through available
Sites 50–90 · 41 sites · Water, 20/30-amp Electric
Best for families — closest to swimming area and store
Sites 91–139 · 49 sites · Water, 20/30-amp Electric
Large loop with shade — good for both tents and RVs
Sites 140–165 · 26 sites · Water nearby
Most secluded — wooded, short pack-in, real quiet
Cabins 1–20 · 20 sites · A/C unit, ceiling fan, 30-amp
Bunk beds (sleeps 4) · no kitchen · restrooms nearby · 2-night min
+ $6/person entrance fee. Texas State Parks Pass ($70/yr) waives entrance fees.
Inks Lake has 20 limited-use cabins — a cheap, no-frills way to sleep with a roof and an A/C unit instead of a tent. Each cabin has an A/C unit, a ceiling fan, two sets of twin bunk beds (it sleeps 4), and a table and chairs inside, plus an outdoor grill, fire ring, and picnic table. Cabins #1 and #17 are wheelchair-friendly.
They’re basic on purpose, so set expectations: there’s no kitchen (no cooking is allowed inside — that’s what the outdoor grill is for) and no bathroom inside the cabin, though restrooms with showers are a short walk away. At around $80/night, they’re one of the best lodging values in the Texas state park system.
All 20 cabins taken for your dates?
They cancel often as plans change, so check ReserveAmerica directly, or look at a cabin or vacation rental near Burnet you can book today.
See cabins near Burnet →Devil’s Waterhole is Inks Lake’s signature spot — a natural granite cove where pink granite ledges descend into a deep, clear pool. It’s a popular spot for cliff jumping (from modest heights), swimming in calm water, and paddling the pink granite shoreline in a kayak. Get there early on summer weekends or you’ll be competing for space on the rocks.
The lake itself is remarkably consistent — because Inks Lake is a run-of-the-river reservoir with no capacity to store extra water, it stays at the same level year-round regardless of drought. This is a genuine advantage over most Highland Lakes, which can drop 30–40 feet in bad drought years.
Lake level
Stays constant year-round — reliable even in drought
Rentals
Canoes, kayaks, paddleboards — book at the park concession
Devil's Waterhole
Arrive before 10 AM on summer weekends for the best spots
Crowd levels, temperatures, and booking difficulty by month.
40–62°F
Quiet. Lake at full level. Fishing is excellent.
45–66°F
Very easy to book. Good for golf and fishing.
55–78°F
Spring break hits hard. Lake and swimming area pack out.
65–85°F
Wildflowers and warmer temps. Paddling is excellent.
70–90°F
Memorial Day = sold out. Book 5 months out or set alert.
78–95°F
Full summer. Devil's Waterhole packed by noon.
82–98°F
Peak season. Lake's constant level is the superpower here.
80–97°F
Still hot, still full. Swimming is still perfect.
72–90°F
Crowds thin out. Water still warm. Great time to visit.
60–80°F
Excellent weather for paddling and hiking. Less crowded.
48–70°F
Quiet season. Fishing picks up. Cabins easier to book.
40–62°F
Off-season peace. Good fishing. Cabins still available.
Reservations open exactly 5 months ahead, to the day, at 8:00 AM Central on the Texas State Parks reservation system — so a July 4 stay opens February 4, and Memorial Day opens December 25. Summer lakeside sites and cabins often sell out within minutes. If you miss the window, check ReserveAmerica directly for cancellations — Inks Lake gets regular cancellations 2–4 weeks out — or look at a cabin or vacation rental near Burnet as a backup.
Yes — day-use entry is $6 per person per day (free for kids 12 and under), and a $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers everyone in your vehicle for a year. Day use doesn't need a reservation most of the year, but Inks Lake fills on hot summer weekends and closes the gate at capacity, so arrive early or reserve a day-use permit ahead on the Texas Parks & Wildlife site.
Inks Lake is open for day use from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and registered campers have 24-hour access to their sites. Hours and gate closures can change seasonally and at capacity, so confirm current hours with Texas Parks & Wildlife before you go.
Devil's Waterhole is a natural granite cove on the lake's shoreline where pink granite ledges drop into a clear pool. It's popular for cliff jumping (modest heights), swimming, and kayaking. It's one of the most scenic and accessible swimming spots in the Texas state park system. Get there early on summer weekends before the crowds arrive.
Yes — Inks Lake is a run-of-the-river reservoir that stays at a constant level regardless of rainfall. This is a major advantage over Lake Travis, Buchanan, and other nearby lakes that can drop dramatically in drought years. When other parks' lakes are disappointingly low, Inks Lake looks exactly the same as always.
For a cheap roof over your head, yes. Inks Lake's 20 limited-use cabins each have an A/C unit, a ceiling fan, and two sets of twin bunk beds (sleeps 4), plus an outdoor grill and fire ring. They have no kitchen (no cooking inside) and no in-cabin bathroom — restrooms with showers are nearby, and you bring your own linens. At about $80/night plus a $25 cleaning deposit they're a bargain over a hotel, and they book year-round.
Yes — the Post Oak loop (sites 1–49) has 49 full hookup sites (water, sewer, 30/50-amp electric) and is Inks Lake's best bet for RVs. Larger rigs should check site length before booking. The Pecan Flats and Live Oak loops also accommodate RVs with water and electric.
Yes — Inks Lake is a solid fishing destination year-round for bass, catfish, and perch. Winter and early spring are particularly productive for bass. The pink granite shoreline and clear water make for good sight-fishing in the shallows. Bring your own gear or check with the park store about rentals.
No — Inks Lake's 20 limited-use cabins are basic. Each has an A/C unit, a ceiling fan, and two sets of twin bunk beds, but there's no kitchen (cooking isn't allowed inside — you use the outdoor grill and fire ring) and no bathroom inside the cabin. Restrooms with showers are a short walk away, you bring your own linens, and no pets are allowed. They run about $80/night plus a $25 cleaning deposit.
Not year-round for campsites — the summer window (Memorial Day through Labor Day) plus spring break in March are the hardest to book, all marked high demand. The 20 limited-use cabins are the exception: they're the hardest lodging to book at Inks Lake in any season, not just summer.
March, May, June, July, and August are Inks Lake's high-demand months — spring break plus the full summer swim season. January, February, November, and December are easy to book for campsites, though cabins go faster than campsites year-round.
Regularly, especially for the 20 cabins, most often 2-4 weeks before the date as people's plans change. It's worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings if your dates are booked.
Yes, through cancellations — check ReserveAmerica directly, since openings do happen as people's plans change. If nothing is available for your dates, a cabin or vacation rental near Burnet is bookable today on Vrbo as a backup.
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Burnet are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Burnet →Want the Texas booking playbook?