Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park is one of the most popular swimming spots in the Highland Lakes, and maybe the whole state of Texas. Staff photo by Maci Cottingham
Just nine miles west of Burnet, Inks Lake State Park spans 1,201 acres of Texas Hill Country, a place where rocky trails and quiet mornings draw visitors year-round. Once a hunting ground for Native American tribes, the area now welcomes hundreds of hikers, anglers, and campers each day seeking a piece of Texas tranquility. The lake itself was formed in 1938 when the Colorado River was dammed, creating a consistent water level that sets it apart from other Hill Country lakes.
Fall is the ideal time to visit, with cool mornings and sunlight cutting gold through the trees.
Driving in, visitors catch a glimpse of the “Stress-Free Zone” sign before arriving at the new headquarters, a modern building designed to ease the weekend traffic that once backed up nearby roads. Inside, guests can pick up a $7 day pass (free for children under 12) or invest in the Texas State Parks Pass, $70 for unlimited access to more than 80 state parks across Texas. With clean restrooms, expanded parking, and friendly rangers, the new headquarters provides effortless entry to the park.
Hikers can set out along nine miles of trails that wind through oak-shaded forests and across granite ridges shaped by ancient pre-Cambrian geology. The pinkish rock throughout the park is a rare form of volcanic gneiss that is some of the oldest exposed stone on Earth.
The park is a haven for local wildlife, from white-tailed deer to raccoons, turtles, and a variety of birds, including great blue herons and kingfishers.
Down by the lake, paddleboarders, swimmers, and anglers share the calm blue water. Largemouth and white bass, crappie, catfish, and sunfish are common catches, and with rentals available for boats, canoes, and paddleboards, it is easy to spend a full day exploring the lake’s steady waters. Several picnic areas and group pavilions are scattered along the shoreline, offering scenic spots to pause for lunch or simply enjoy the view.
A short five-minute hike from the parking lot leads to the park’s crown jewel, Devil’s Waterhole, a deep blue pool framed by steep cliffs. Adventurous visitors can leap from the rocks into the cool water below, while others can lounge on the sandy shore, soaking in the sun. In fall, oaks and maples blaze in shades of orange and gold, turning the hike itself into an experience.
As evening falls, the park takes on a quieter charm. Campsites fill quickly, as visitors settle in to enjoy their time in nature. Meanwhile, bikers and walkers meander along the park’s roads, soaking in the fading light and the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.
In 2024, Inks Lake State Park saw more than 254,000 visitors, a 9.9 percent increase from the year before. Its popularity is no mystery with consistent water levels, striking geology, and laid-back atmosphere. For those who like to wander, Longhorn Caverns State Park sits just ten minutes down the road, offering guided tours through cool, echoing limestone passages that first opened to the public in 1938.
