Located in the heart of Texas Hill Country, Medina Lake is a massive reservoir created by Medina Dam crossing the Medina River at Mico, Texas. When water levels are normal, Medina Lake is about 18 miles long, 3 miles wide, and 150 feet deep, with around 110 miles of shoreline. Medina Lake is known for its excellent fishing opportunities. Other activities you can enjoy on, or around, the lake include boating, swimming, and even scuba diving.
Medina Lake Water Levels
Keep in mind that Medina Lake water levels can change dramatically over short periods of time. Access to the lake and activities you can enjoy there are dependent on the current water levels. Even public areas such as Bandera County Medina Lake Park will temporarily close if water levels are too low.
Public Access to Medina Lake
Public access to Medina Lake in our part of Texas Hill Country is primarily at Bandera County Medina Lake Park, located at the end of Park Road 37 in Plum Creek Cove. The park, just 12.5 miles from us, is a day-use area and is typically open daily from 8:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. You can enjoy fishing , boating, swimming, and picnicking at the park. The park has a concrete boat ramp that's open 24 hours a day. A gravel bank is also available for boat launching when water levels are low.
Medina Lake can also be accessed at Red Cove Camp in Mico, Texas. This privately operated camp has a two-lane concrete boat ramp and a gravel bank for boat launching. The camp also has boat storage, dry storage, and an excellent restaurant, the Red Cove Cafe. Red Cove Camp is about 14 miles south of us.
Medina Lake Fishing
Fishing at Medina Lake is extremely popular. The lake is primarily inhabited by largemouth bass, hybrid striped bass, and catfish. You'll also find smallmouth bass, white bass, and crappie. Medina Lake is regulated by Texas Parks and Wildlife, and fishing at the lake requires a Texas fishing license.
Other Activities
Boating is another popular activity at Medina Lake. Pretty much any type of watercraft is allowed, including fishing boats and ski boats, kayaks and canoes, and jet skis. Boat and kayak rentals are available at various locations on the lake.
If you're interested in swimming in Medina Lake, the best location is most likely Bandera County Medina Lake Park, which has a dedicated swimming area, and is just a short drive from Al's Hideaway.
Because of the relatively clear water, Medina Lake is a great place to enjoy scuba diving (if you have the equipment, of course). The lake has a number of interesting features, including an underwater cove and sunken boats and automobiles. Visibility is around 40 feet, and water temperatures in summer months are in the 60s.
Resource List
Need more information about Medina Lake? Check out our resource list, or simply contact us. We'll be glad to answer you questions.
Edwards Aquifer Website. Historical information about Medina Lake, including its original construction in the early 1900s, and current use of the lake..
Our part of Texas has some of the most interesting small towns in the country. Check out our article on some of our favorites Texas Hill Country small towns.
Enjoy the real Cowboy way. Learn to handle a Horse, throw a rope on a cow. Trail rides throw the Texas Hill Country, ride a real Texas Longhorn. If you want to learn to handle a horse rope a cow and have a cowboy experience call Valerie @ 210-438-2484
Outlaw Outfitters
For horseback riding Hill Country Natural area or Medina River area, Outlaw Outfitters can give you the real experience.
The Texas Hill Country has the best paved roads for Motorcycle riding that include breath taking views, elevation changes with sweeping curves and twisting roads.
Al's Hideaway is not only Biker Friendly but we also ride, our park was built for Bikers by Bikers.
If you would like to include a guided Motorcycle Tour as part of your stay please contact us at alshideawayrentals@gmail.com
Groups Welcomed
BANDERA CITY PARK
Bandera City Park is located in beautiful downtown Bandera. Which offers fishing, swimming and picnic areas with BBQ pits.
Check out the Medina County Park at Medina Lake. Known for fishing, boating, swimming, and scuba diving. You will find your whole day filled with activities at this beautiful park.
Lost Maples State Park is so vibrant in the fall but it is spectacular year-round. You will see wildflowers, steep canyon walls and the scenic Sabinal River. Bring your whole family to enjoy the beautiful vistas.
Cool off in the heat of the summer and float the Medina River. You can get your tube or kayak rentals and they will even shuttle you to different locations depending on how long you want to stay on the river.
Enjoy the San Antonio River Walk as you stroll the riverside paths bordered with beautiful trees, restaurants, hotels, shops and museums. Experience the rich history as you enjoy everything along the way.
At SeaWorld San Antonio you can experience so much more than you would think. You can enjoy the amazingly trained whales and dolphins and then you can go enjoy rides in the park or to to the water park to cool off. This is the perfect place to spend your day.
Enjoy hiking, bird-watching, and general wildlife viewing on the half-mile nature trail at The Tunnel State Park. The trail opens daily at sunrise and closes at 5 p.m. Bring drinking water, as no water is available in the park. Picnic tables are available. Restrooms are only open in the evenings during bat season (May to October).
No matter where you visit in Bandera County you will find clear skies, bright stars, stunning scenery and, most of all, friendly folks just waiting to swap stories and tall tales with you.
Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, the Motorcycle Museum displays machines from the 1910's to now and from all around the world. Come and check it out.
Cascade Caverns is host to the albino Cascade Caverns Salamander (Eurycea latitans), unique solution domes, "chubby" stalactites, Eastern Pipistrelle bats, cliff and leopard frogs, as well as an underground waterfall and lake. So don’t forget your camera.
The Cave Without a Name is filled with spectacular formations of Stalactites, Stalagmites, delicate Soda Straws, Cave Drapery, magnificent Flowstones, Rimstone Dams, and more. Enjoy a tour of the six major rooms in comfort; 66 degrees year-round, easy walkways, brilliant lighting.
Bandera brewery has a tasty selection of locally brewed and carefully crafted beers. Each of their flavors is hand-picked including familiar tastes, new creations and seasonal favorites.
Fiesta Winery has some of the best tasting Texas Wine around. Uncork and expect a fiesta. You can go to a physical location and test six wines for only $20 so you know which bottles you want to take with you.
Sister Creek Vineyards use Bordeaux and Burgundy wine making techniques to produce their wonderful Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wines.
Open Tuesday-Sunday 7 to 3, Out of the way Cafe provides a delicious breakfast lunch or dinner while serving the best coffee around. This is a very kid friendly place so come as a family.
The Old Forge serves only the choicest meats and seafood, freshest vegetables and their salad bar has only the freshest field greens and vegetables, made-from-scratch soups and baked potatoes. And don’t forget to try one of their fresh desserts
The Old Spanish Trail was used by the Conquistadors, who often followed routes established long ago by Native Americans.
The O.S.T. Restaurant has been serving the dining needs of Bandera since 1921, making it the oldest continuously operated restaurant in Bandera County.
The Bandera General Store building is 108 years old – built in 1907. It has the original wood floors and the original tin tile ceiling. It has been a saddle shop, a feed store, an appliance store (word has it caskets were sold in the basement and during prohibition the cowboys drank beer and played cards on the empty caskets
