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San Antonio’s best boating is just north of town in the Hill Country. Canyon Lake, the big blue lake between San Antonio and Austin, is under an hour away, the Guadalupe River lakes near New Braunfels and Seguin are close by, and Calaveras Lake on the southeast side is about a half hour from downtown.
MasterCraft surf boats for 12 to 18 people, three-seat Sea-Doos, a Kawasaki stand-up jet ski and water toys for every age, all ready at the lake when you arrive. Book online in a few minutes, or call or text 888-205-7119 any day from 7am to 10pm.
| Lake | From downtown San Antonio | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Calaveras Lake | About 30 minutes | The closest lake to the city, on the southeast side. |
| Lake McQueeney | About 40 minutes | A Guadalupe River lake near Seguin, lined with lake homes and popular for skiing. |
| Canyon Lake | About 45 minutes to an hour | The area’s big boating lake: about 8,200 acres of clear Hill Country water with swim beaches and more than 20 ramps. |
| Choke Canyon Reservoir | About an hour and a half | A 26,000-acre reservoir south of town with a two-unit state park. |
Drive times are rough estimates from downtown without traffic.
Canyon Lake is close to New Braunfels and historic Gruene, so it is easy to pair a day on the water with dinner and live music.
Comal Park and Canyon Park have public swim beaches, which makes it easy to bring younger kids along.
For long surf and ski runs away from the crowds, Choke Canyon’s open water is worth the drive.
We confirm the exact meeting spot when you book. These are the Canyon Lake parks San Antonio groups know best:
For a Canyon Lake day, most San Antonio groups book a MasterCraft surf boat rental for 12 to 18 people, with its swim platform ready for the clear-water coves, and add two Sea-Doo waverunners for the run up toward the Guadalupe. Floating mats and paddleboards are perfect in the coves, and a captain lets the whole family take in the Hill Country views.


Canyon Lake is the headline trip, with clear, deep water, swim beaches and room for surf sets, and it is worth the extra drive for a full day. Calaveras Lake on the southeast side is the closest water when you only have a few hours. The Guadalupe River lakes near Seguin, such as Lake McQueeney, are narrower and lined with homes, so watch your wake near the docks. Choke Canyon is the long-haul choice for groups who want lots of open water and a night of camping at the state park.
Canyon Lake also has its own Canyon Lake guide with parks and rules. North of town, our Austin page covers the Highland Lakes, and to the south, see Corpus Christi and Laredo. Browse all areas we serve for more.