Georgetown Lake
1 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
Outdoors
Picnic spots near Georgetown
Day-use and picnic areas near Georgetown on public land, from quick drives to full-day outings.
17picnic areas
1 mito the closest
5within 30 miles
October–Maybest months
Good to know: Group picnic sites can often be reserved; fire rules change with the season, so check before bringing a grill.
Closest picks
Cedar Breaks Park
2 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cedar Breaks Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Russell Park
4 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
Map of all 17 places
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Within 30 miles (5)
Georgetown Lake
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Cedar Breaks Park
Cedar Breaks Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Russell Park
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Granger Lake
Open to the public March 1981, know as one of the top five crappie/white bass fishing spots in Central Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Historical sites include the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is located near the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (6)
Belton Lake
Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Belton Lakeview Park
Belton Lakeview Park has two reservable group day-use areas along the lower shore of Belton Lake, providing some of the best fishing and boating in Central Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
Cedar Ridge (Tx)
Cedar Ridge Park campground is located on the Northern side of Belton Lake. This year-round campground accommodates both tents and RVs and has several sites with screened shelters for those who do not have camping equipment.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water Activities
Canyon Lake
In the early part of the 19th century, the lower Guadalupe River Basin, below the current location of Canyon Lake, had been especially subject to serious flooding. Congress authorized in the 1940's the construction of Canyon Lake Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Waco Lake
The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Somerville Lake
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
75 miles and farther (6)
Whitney Lake
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Aquilla Lake
This 3,280-acre lake is located on Aquilla and Hackberry Creeks.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Proctor Lake
Located in historic territory of the Comanche Indians, Proctor Lake offers a wide variety of activities both on and off the water.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Navarro Mills Lake
Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken , a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie…
- Biking
- Birding
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Bardwell Lake
Bardwell Lake is located in the Blackland Prairie region of southwestern Ellis County. Built in 1965 for flood control by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Lake is located two miles southwest of Ennis off of State Highway 34.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Georgetown. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Georgetown
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
How to spend a day in Georgetown
The state tourism office suggests a day of coffee, downtown murals, shops around the square, Blue Hole Park and a local winery. A Short shared by Travel Texas.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Inside Inner Space Cavern
A short walk through the lit passages of Inner Space Cavern, the show cave beside I-35 in Georgetown. A Short shared by Hubert Campbell Travels.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Georgetown
- Hiking near Georgetown
- Camping near Georgetown
- Fishing near Georgetown
- Boating and kayaking near Georgetown
- Biking and mountain biking near Georgetown
- Horseback riding near Georgetown
- Wildlife viewing and birding near Georgetown
- Swimming holes and lakes near Georgetown
- Parks in Georgetown
- Day trips
- Weather by month
Questions
Where is the closest place for picnic spots near Georgetown?
Georgetown Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 1 miles west of Georgetown as the crow flies. Next are Cedar Breaks Park (2 mi) and Russell Park (4 mi).
When is the best time for picnic spots near Georgetown?
Based on Georgetown’s average highs, October–May. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.