Real Estate Photographer in Canyon Lake, TX

Just 45 miles north of San Antonio, Canyon Lake has long been known as a scenic Texas Hill Country destination, but its population and popularity are steadily growing as more residents and weekend visitors are drawn to its lakeside charm. Known for its recreational opportunities, from boating to hiking, Canyon Lake combines small-town vibes with outdoor adventure.

Looking to explore the Texas Hill Country or considering a move? Here’s everything you need to know about Canyon Lake, Texas.

What's the population of Canyon Lake?

Canyon Lake has seen steady growth in recent years, going from a population of 26,000 in 2020 to just over 30,000 in 2021, according to U.S. census data. The growth could be attributed to some residents escaping crowded cities and busy spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic in search of a different scene during those unprecedented times.

By 2023, the population reached 32,924, with a median age of 47.8 years, reflecting a mix of retirees and families drawn to its scenic charm and proximity to Austin, San Antonio and other rapidly growing suburbs like New Braunfels and San Marcos.

What are the school districts like in Canyon Lake?

Canyon Lake students are part of the Comal Independent School District (ISD), a large district serving more than 29,900 students from pre-K through 12th grade. The district emphasizes family values, community involvement and student growth across academics, fine arts, athletics and citizenship.

Local students attend schools such as Canyon Lake Elementary, Mountain Valley Middle School and Canyon Lake High School. Canyon Lake High School serves 1,011 students as of the 2023–24 school year. The student body is primarily white (63%) and Hispanic (32%), with smaller percentages identifying as two or more races (3%) or Black (1%). Texas Education Agency data showed the school earned a B accountability rating for 2024–25, with high marks in student achievement (91) and school progress (86), and a strong post-secondary readiness score of 87, reflecting the campus’s commitment to academic success and preparing students for college and future opportunities.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Canyon Lake?

The Canyon Lake housing market has seen steady growth over the past several years, with the average home valued at $401,751 as of 2025, down 4.9% over the past year and typically going pending in around 87 days, according to Zillow. Home values peaked in 2022 at roughly $452,000, but remain significantly higher than in late 2020, when the median home was estimated at $298,000.

Canyon Lake offers a variety of neighborhoods to suit different lifestyles and budgets. Willow Creek is among the priciest, with a median home value of $582,220, while Castle Forest and Westover are more affordable at $302,574 and $254,131, respectively. Other communities include Hunter’s Hill ($384,047), Hughson Heights ($324,969), Oak Heights ($315,693), Southwest Hills ($274,654), Sierra Circle ($441,428) and Holland Hills ($292,261), offering options for families, retirees, and vacation homeowners throughout the Canyon Lake area.

Governing body breakdown for Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake is an unincorporated community, meaning it does not have its own municipal government or city council. Instead, the area is governed directly by Comal County, which handles services typically managed by a city, such as law enforcement, zoning, building permits and road maintenance. Being unincorporated allows communities like Canyon Lake to maintain a more rural or suburban character while often keeping taxes lower than in incorporated cities.

The U.S. Census Bureau recognizes Canyon Lake as a census-designated place (CDP) for statistical purposes, which includes smaller neighborhoods and communities. Local affairs are overseen by the Comal County Commissioners Court, which includes County Judge Sherman Krause and four commissioners: Doug Leecock (Precinct 1), Scott Haag (Precinct 2), Kevin Webb (Precinct 3) and Jen Crownover (Precinct 4). Residents rely on the county for services such as law enforcement, road maintenance, and local ordinances, with governance information available through their official web pages.

Cost of utilities in Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake residents enjoy relatively affordable living compared to national averages. Housing costs are about 21% lower than the national average, while utility prices run roughly 5% lower. According to Payscale, the average monthly energy bill is around $197.65, though EnergySage data suggests typical electricity costs are closer to $164 per month, or $1,968 per year, about 35% below the national average.

Electricity rates in the area average 11¢ per kilowatt-hour, with households using roughly 1,521 kWh per month, making Canyon Lake an appealing option for those seeking scenic living with manageable expenses.Best places to eat in Georgetown

Best places to eat in Canyon Lake

From casual cafes and family-friendly Italian to Tex-Mex, Cajun and seafood spots, Canyon Lake has something for every taste. After a long day on the lake, visitors can relax over a hearty meal, grab a quick weekday bite, or enjoy bakery treats and coffee at local favorites, offering a mix of laid-back, lakeside charm and flavorful eats. Here is a roundup of TripAdvisor's highest rated bars and restaurants in Canyon Lake.

How to get to Canyon Lake from San Antonio

Canyon Lake sits about 48 miles northeast of San Antonio, making it roughly a one-hour drive under normal traffic conditions. The most direct route is via I-35 North to FM 306, which leads directly into the heart of the Canyon Lake area. For a more scenic drive, travelers can take US-281 North to FM 306, enjoying views of rolling hills, rivers and small-town Texas charm along the way. Canyon Lake is surrounded by several nearby towns and communities, including New Braunfels to the south, Bulverde and Garden Ridge to the west, and smaller lakeside communities.

What is the closest city to Canyon Lake?

Canyon Lake is nestled in the Texas Hill Country along the shores of its namesake reservoir, with New Braunfels about 20 miles south-southeast. The area is also very close to the historic Gruene district, just a short drive from the lake. Gruene is famous for its iconic Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas, and a vibrant selection of restaurants, wineries and shops, making it a popular spot for both day trips and weekend excursions. Surrounding smaller communities like Bulverde, Garden Ridge, Sattler, Startzville and Canyon City add to the region’s mix of rural charm and convenient access to city services.

What is Canyon Lake known for?

Canyon Lake is a hub for outdoor recreation in the Texas Hill Country, attracting visitors year-round for boating, swimming, fishing and camping. Boat ramps at Canyon Lake are operated by several different entities, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Comal County, the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) and private entities like Canyon Lake Marina. The specific operator depends on the individual ramp's location.

Popular spots include Cranes Mill Park on the south side, which features a fishing dock, as well as other parks ideal for hiking, family outings and lakeside relaxation. The combination of scenic views, recreational opportunities and accessible lakefront parks makes Canyon Lake a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike.

Is Canyon Lake, Texas expensive to live?

Living in Canyon Lake is about 9% more affordable than the national average, according to PayScale’s cost of living calculator. Housing expenses are especially favorable, averaging 21% lower, while utilities run 5% lower and groceries are about 6% less. Healthcare is also more affordable, averaging 7% below the national norm. The median home price in Canyon Lake is approximately $407,903, with typical rent around $1,225 per month. For context, someone earning $50,000 in New Braunfels would only need $48,917 in Canyon Lake to maintain the same standard of living, making it a budget-friendly choice in the Texas Hill Country.

Nicholas Hernandez is a digital reporter for MySA. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for NJ PBS’s nightly newscast. His bylines have appeared in Eater, the Bronx Times, AMNY, NJ Spotlight News and Bleu Magazine. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he also holds a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

So far in 2025, San Antonio has recorded 25.09 inches of rainfall, which is nearly the normal cumulative rainfall total at this time of the year. In fact, it’s 0.33 inch above the climate normal.

On its surface, that number sounds great – things seem like they’re going just how they should. However, rainfall has been extremely sporadic. Just over 50% of San Antonio’s yearly rainfall came during three weeks, from May 22 through June 12, and after the devastating Hill Country floods in early July.

Since then, rainfall has been much harder to come by, especially since the start of September. While our area lakes did make some much-needed improvements over the summer, progress has stopped, and water levels are heading in the wrong direction. Here’s a look at the latest developments.

South-Central Texas lakes

Medina Lake: Water levels at this lake, which sits between Medina County to the south and Bandera County to the north, hit a record low on May 26, when the lake was estimated to be just 1.9% full. By the end of July, lake levels had risen by a little more than 16 feet from that low point, largely because of the Hill Country flooding earlier in the month.

As dry weather has returned over the past two months, Medina Lake is dropping again at an alarming rate. Water levels have dipped 1.89 feet since then, and the lake — now sitting at a surface elevation of 982.88 feet above sea level — is just 5.8% full and more than 81 feet below capacity. Medina Lake hasn’t been considered full since July 2019.

Canyon Lake: It’s a similar story for Canyon Lake, which sits on the eastern edge of the Hill Country and 40 miles north of San Antonio. After falling to an all-time low of 45.5% full in late May, the lake recovered enough to be 68.6% full by early August, its highest level in two years.

However, water levels since then have slipped again, falling 1.34 feet in the past eight weeks. Canyon Lake, which was 66.3% full on Thursday, is still more than 15.5 feet below capacity, a milestone it last reached in November 2021.

Texas drought update

Bexar County continued to sit in severe to extreme drought, according to data released Thursday from the U.S. Drought Monitor. This week’s update has expanded severe drought to more areas along the Interstate 35 and Interstate 10 corridors, east of San Antonio. Parts of southern Medina County also are in exceptional drought, the U.S. Drought Monitor's highest level of dryness.

As a whole, Texas is starting to see drought expand across the state. On Sept. 9, only 19% of the state was in moderate drought, while just 10% was in severe drought. This week, 24% of the state is in moderate drought and 13% is in severe drought.

Dry October expected

Drought is only expected to get worse as we head into the next few weeks, as long-term weather models show a relative lack of rain throughout Texas. According to the Climate Prediction Center's October outlook, most of the state has about an 80% chance of near- to below-normal precipitation this month.

Nothing is guaranteed, though. A 20% chance of above-normal rainfall remains, and some models suggest that a more active weather pattern will arrive by the middle of the month.

Anthony Franze is a native Texan and very passionate about covering any weather that is thrown at him. He can be reached at anthony.franze@express-news.net.

Anthony earned a degree in Meteorology from Valparaiso University in 2017. He has worked as a broadcast meteorologist for six years, one at NBC Montana and the next five at NewsWest 9 in Midland before joining the Express-News in July 2023.

In his free time, Anthony enjoys watching sports, checking out local restaurants and breweries, and getting outside whenever the heat allows for it. If you have any story ideas, questions about the weather or restaurant suggestions, drop him a line.

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With Labor Day weekend here, and despite rain in the forecast, visitors to Canyon Lake can expect scenic waters and plenty of recreation. Still, boating access remains limited.

The deadly Fourth of July floods swelled the lake, boosting levels to heights the drought-stricken reservoir hadn’t seen in years. While the water has since stabilized, the surge briefly allowed some ramps to reopen, though levels are now gradually declining.

Over the past several weeks, Canyon Lake has shown a gradual decline in water levels. As of noon on Friday, August 29, Canyon Lake is 67.7% full, with a mean water level of 892.18 feet, according to Water Data for Texas. This is slightly lower than Thursday’s 67.8% and 892.21 feet, and nearly identical to levels on Wednesday at 67.8% and 892.23 feet.

One week ago, the lake was 68.1% full at 892.39 feet, and a month ago, on July 29, it reached 68.4% capacity at 892.61 feet. Prior to that, Canyon Lake was less than half full at 45.4% on May 29. Limited rainfall in recent weeks has kept levels relatively steady, but the slow decline continues.

Comal County and the Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) continue to monitor access closely. Only ramps 1, 14, 17, 18, and 19 remain open, according to a WORD official.

The short-lived Boat Ramp 8 was closed on August 12 after the lake dropped below the 892.72-foot threshold required for safe motorized launches only weeks after reopening to the public.. Similarly, Boat Ramp 2, which had reopened following the flood-driven surge, was recently closed when levels fell below its 892.28-foot safety mark.

Despite these closures, Canyon Lake remains a popular destination for boating, sunbathing and other water-based activities. Authorities urge visitors planning holiday trips to check current water levels and ramp access before heading out. With careful planning and attention to safety guidelines, Labor Day at Canyon Lake can still offer a memorable getaway, combining the scenic beauty of the Texas Hill Country with water-based recreation for the whole family.

Nicholas Hernandez is a digital reporter for MySA. Previously, he worked as an associate producer for NJ PBS’s nightly newscast. His bylines have appeared in Eater, the Bronx Times, AMNY, NJ Spotlight News and Bleu Magazine. A graduate of Seton Hall University, he also holds a master’s degree from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.