State park · Texas Hill Country · Texas
Inks Lake State Park is a Texas state park campground in the Hill Country's Highland Lakes chain, about 9 miles west of Burnet and an hour and twenty minutes from Austin. What sets it apart is hydrology: Inks is operated as a pass-through, constant-level lake, so while Buchanan next door rises and falls with drought, Inks stays full and swimmable in almost any year. That makes it the most dependable lake camping in the Hill Country, and it suits families who want to swim, paddle and fish out the back of the campsite, plus Austin weekenders and winter Texans who will have it nearly to themselves in January.
| Hookups | Water + 30/50 amp |
|---|---|
| Max RV length | Exact electric site |
| Cost | $23 + entrance |
| Fees | $7 adult entrance fee is separate; water-only sites cost $16. |
| Reservations | Texas State Parks reservation |
Source-backed: Official campsite inventory (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.
Inks Lake State Park is a Texas state park campground in the Hill Country's Highland Lakes chain, about 9 miles west of Burnet and an hour and twenty minutes from Austin. What sets it apart is hydrology: Inks is operated as a pass-through, constant-level lake, so while Buchanan next door rises and falls with drought, Inks stays full and swimmable in almost any year. That makes it the most dependable lake camping in the Hill Country, and it suits families who want to swim, paddle and fish out the back of the campsite, plus Austin weekenders and winter Texans who will have it nearly to themselves in January.
Practically, this is water-and-electric camping with no sewer anywhere. Roughly 120 of the nearly 200 sites have water and 30-amp power, only about 22 carry 50 amp, and a two-lane dump station handles checkout. Base rates run around $23 a night for water/electric plus a $7 per-adult entrance fee, with water-only sites at $16. Reservations open five months out on the Texas State Parks system and waterfront sites vanish for warm-weather weekends. The trade-off is summer: triple-digit heat, thin shade, unlevel pads on pink gneiss rock, and weekend crowds from March through September.
Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.
Full review
Inks Lake State Park Camping Review: The Hill Country's Constant-Level LakeAn honest review of camping at Inks Lake State Park — hookup classes and fees, the best loops, Devil's Waterhole, summer crowds, and how it stacks up against Garner and the rest of the Hill Country.
Our verdict
Book Inks Lake if you want reliable swimming and paddling off a waterfront pad and can live with water/electric only; skip it if you need sewer, 50-amp and space between rigs, which a private Hill Country park will do better.
No. Inks Lake has no sewer hookups at any site. Most powered sites offer water and 30-amp electric, roughly two dozen have 50 amp, and there is a two-lane dump station near the exit.
Water/electric sites run about $23 per night, water-only sites $16, plus a $7 daily entrance fee per adult (kids 12 and under free). A Texas State Parks Pass waives entrance fees. Rates change, so verify with TPWD.
There is no single park-wide limit; each electric site has its own length rating. Water-only sites cap at 26 feet, roads are narrow, and the 50-amp waterfront row is the most comfortable big-rig zone.
About 60 miles, roughly an hour and twenty minutes by car. Burnet is 9 miles away, Marble Falls about 15, and San Antonio about 100 miles.
Yes. Book through the Texas State Parks reservation system, where the window opens five months ahead. Waterfront and 50-amp sites on spring and summer weekends need booking at or near that opening.
Yes. Peak season is March through September; weekly and monthly rates are offered December through February, when the park is at its quietest.
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