Medina Lake – Lakehills, TX

Perched in the beautiful Texas Hill Country 30 miles northwest of San Antonio, the Thousand Trails Medina Lake preserve is a spectacular getaway for lake recreation and wildlife appreciation while still close to local attractions.

Water sport enthusiasts find fun on the 5,500-acre lake, a favorite retreat for fishing, camping, boating and picnicking. Best known for its large yellow catfish, the lake is also home to crappie, bluegill, walleye, and several other varieties of catfish and bass. Overall lake levels fluctuate as much as 40 feet depending on rainfall, but the park offers variable boat docks for four different levels and two boat launches.

Another draw at the preserve is the abundance of whitetail deer living on property. These creatures have thoroughly acclimated to humans "invading" their ecosystem. The deer don't seem to be as startled by people in cars as those approaching by foot, so careful cruising is the best way to observe them.

Of the 300-plus acres, only about half is developed. You can access the other half via a one-mile nature trail along an established "Wilderness Road," a pleasantly moderate hike. In the morning, you might see roadrunners or squirrel scurrying around the deer. Armadillo, raccoon, possum, cottontail rabbit, and jackrabbit begin appearing in numbers at dusk. Along the trail and throughout the preserve, you might see bluebonnets, primrose, black-eyed susan or verbena, as well as yucca or prickly pear cactus.

"Winter Texans" migrate to Medina Lake November through March, while locals are more inclined to brave the South Texas heat April through August. Mesquite, cedar and oak trees surrounding the 220 full hook-up sites and 167 water and power only sites create shade in the summer, as well as relative seclusion for rest and relaxation year-round. Regardless of when you visit or where your interests lie, there are plenty of recreational opportunities both on-site and in the surrounding area from which to choose.

Among the amenities are athletic courts, miniature golf, two shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, a large pavilion, and a ballfield. The Trading Post, Top of the Trail Cafe, pool table, satellite TV and video games are inside the Activity Center. Assembled near the Ranger Station is the historic River House and Upper Activity Center. Adult Billiards inside the River House, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, a cabana, and a hot tub also attract visitors.

Ready to pack up your crew for some adventure in San Antonio? Whether you are a first-time visitor or you just can't stay away, there are plenty of exciting things to do. The celebrated Riverwalk offers a myriad of shops and restaurants along the San Antonio River that runs through the heart of town. Alamo Plaza, host to Texas' top tourist attraction, begins your quest through the other missions established by Franciscan friars. Of course, there's always Fiesta Texas and Sea World for amusement as well as various museums and the fantastic Botanical Garden.

But you need not leave Bandera County to have a good time. Traveling west on Hwy 16 from the preserve takes you to Bandera, the self-proclaimed "Cowboy Capital of the World." Once a staging area for the Western Cattle Drives in the late 1800s, Bandera's cowboy heritage lives on through the numerous summer rodeos, the storefronts for western craftsmen, and the old-style Texas dance halls.

So, what are you waiting for? Anytime’s a good time to head to the Hill Country!