Medina Lake VS. Canyon Lake (Crane, Howe: RV parks, rentals, homes)

[AlamoCpl]

Pros and cons

Things to do and local eateries to visit on or around each

[ChrisSA]

My biggest hobby is go boating/fishing and I've been on both lakes dozens of times. Medina lake is better for fishing in my opinion. Both lakes get really busy on the weekends during the warm months. I avoid them on the weekends but on weekdays I sometimes have the lakes to myself.

Access to Medina lake is pretty limited. All the land around the lake is privately owned except for one small county park off of PR37. You pretty much have to pay to have access to the lake. There is an ok place to eat called the Oasis that is near the dam. They have a website at medinalake.com. The view is great but in my opinion the food is only ok and a little pricey. You used to be able to walk out across the dam but they have closed that off for several years now. There are several marinas on the lake where you can rent boats.

Canyon lake has more public access places and if you are military Ft Sam and Randolph AFB each have nice facilities on the lake with cabins, swim areas, boat ramps, boat rentals, etc. If you aren't military then there are plenty of other places with similar facilities. I don't know of any good places to eat on Canyon lake but I haven't really looked. They do allow you to park near the dam and walk across it. The views from on top of the dam are really nice. There is a new gorge near the dam that was opened up a few years ago after some flooding caused water to go over the spill way. They have started tours of the gorge but the last I heard there is a waiting list. Info is at Home - Canyon Lake Gorge.

[TXtrkgrl]

I live at Medina Lake. I don't know much about Canyon but I do know that there is more "money" around Canyon. Medina has just started to "boom" in the last 5-10 years or so. Still there are not many places to eat around Medina. There are not too many businesses either. We see them come and go quite frequently.
Medina Lake has The Oasis restaraunt, it is nice and on the water. There is also Red's Cove which is a marina but they make a killer burger (or maybe it is because I always eat there after a day on the lake and just about anything would be good at that point, LOL). There are not a whole lot of public access areas to the lake, some of them are:
Red's Cove Red Cove Marina at Medina Lake photo - Darlene Goff photos at pbase.com
Oasis Oasis Bar and Grill - Medina Lake, Texas
Lake Medina RV Texas Hill Country RV Parks
Joe's Place Joe's Place Marina & Resort at Medina Lake, Mico Texas - Marina, Boat Launch, Swimming, Party Room Rentals, Camping, Picnicing, Fishing, Scuba Diving, Dock
Thousand Trails (must be a member) Thousand Trails: Preserve Detail - <[echo_data(type=
Bob's cove Bob's Cove Marina - Camping Boating Fishing Hiking -Vacationing in Texas Country Style
Pop's Place (on the river)
The Bandera County park

Hopefully someone can tell you more about Canyon Lake. I do know that the shores of Canyon have some beautiful homes that you won't see on the shores of Medina. But I still love it

[majormadmax]

The north side of Canyon lake seems to be more developed. We were just driving by there last Sunday on our way to River Road. We rarely get up there as we are much closer to Medina lake, and honestly prefer it as it is less crowded. However, as stated, that does mean things like restaurants and beach access are much less abundant out there. But the one thing we do love is the drive around the east side of the lake (1283), it has some of the best views especially at sunset. There are also some nice backroads south of the dam that follow the Medina River, such as the Old Medina Dam and Lower Lake Roads.

I did read about the Canyon Lake Gourge and am anxious to take the tour, but I am a little confused as no elementary or middle school groups wilare currently allowed to tour the gorge, so I am not sure if that means my 10-yr-old can't accompany me during the regular tour. I really would like him to go with me; but it is probably too much for my 7-yr-old as with his autism, the 3-hr tour may be too long and he could get restless.

Cheers! M2

[ryneone]

If im not mistaken Canyon is also larger but many more people go to it so its a trade of. Medina is slowly coming in the word (not that that means all good things) but it may one day look like Canyon.

[majormadmax]

Well, one noticible difference is that Canyon Lake always seems to have water in it. Some days I am not so sure about Medina Lake...

Cheers! M2

[d-train]

I'd agree with majormadmax; I've been to Medina maybe 20 times and probably 90% of the time the water level was way too low for "safe" boating. I don't really remember what's around Medina however Bandera is a really nice little town to visit after a day on the lake.

I used to go to Canyon lake all the time up until the big flood wiped out Cranes Mill Park. Canyon seems to be much more stable in terms of water level however it tends to get really busy on the weekends. Watersports lovers should be careful of the submerged trees; there are lots on them close to shore.

[Insomniac]

I prefer Medina.

[slaleman]

Originally Posted by d-train

I'd agree with majormadmax; I've been to Medina maybe 20 times and probably 90% of the time the water level was way too low for "safe" boating. I don't really remember what's around Medina however Bandera is a really nice little town to visit after a day on the lake.

I used to go to Canyon lake all the time up until the big flood wiped out Cranes Mill Park. Canyon seems to be much more stable in terms of water level however it tends to get really busy on the weekends. Watersports lovers should be careful of the submerged trees; there are lots on them close to shore.

That's because Medina Lake was created as an irrigation reservoir, not a recreational lake. It's main purpose is to irrigate the fields downstream.

Medina Lake and Canal System

Some very interesting historical info here...

[sakura2]

Try Dancing Bear Cantina for there great burgers, ice cold beer and great view of the lake..... take highway 1283 around to hwy 471 to where they meet. Tell them that Bruce sent you!