Medina Lake in Texas Hill Country is absolutely breathtaking and is one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas. Medina Lake was created to help with irrigation, industry, and recreation and is connected to the Medina River by the Medina Dam.
The unique feature of Medina Lake is that it is a man-made reservoir with clear water that makes it a popular attraction to residents and tourists alike. The lake spans 4,246 acres of clear blue waters, and it is a go-to destination for anyone spending time outdoors, including scuba divers.
The lake is specifically for day-use only, and there is no camping allowed in the public areas. However, there are many rental homes that are available for you and your family. Many native Texans recommend going to Lake Medina, and they state that is where they have spent many of their summers growing up.
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Where Is Medina Lake in Texas?
Medina Lake in Texas can be found about an hour north of San Antonio, Texas. It rests in both Bandera County as well as inMedina County. To be very specific, the middle of Medina Lake in Texas is at coordinates 29°32′ N, 98°56′ W. The location of the lake is difficult to pinpoint because the lake is located in multiple counties.
Medina Lake is actually man-made and was created off of the Medina River. The Medina River starts in Edwards Plateau and then ends up in the San Antonio River.
The Medina Lake reservoir is filled up using the Medina Dam. The initial purpose was to help with agriculture. The water is a reservoir to help with irrigation with the crops when years are drier.
How Big Is Medina Lake in Texas?
Medina is a large reservoir that has a length of approximately 18 miles and has a width of three miles. Medina Lake has just about 110 miles of shoreline that includes swimming holes, rental properties, boat ramps, scuba diving, picnic areas, restrooms, and playgrounds.
The depth of Medina Lake is 152 feet and has a surface area of 4,246 acres. The water volume is dependent on the type of rainfall Texas had during that year.
Is Medina Lake Open to the Public?
Bandera State Park is open to the public but is only open at particular times throughout the year. The park is open from September through May and is only open on Friday and the weekends from 8 am to 8 pm. The park starts to stay open seven days a week from 7 am to 8 pm each year from Memorial Day weekend through the month of August.
Although park access is public, the park does require an admission fee. To figure out the park entrance fee, you need to contact the park.
- Typically admission is $10 per out of county resident
- It is $5 for those who live in the county
- All guests six years old and under have free admission to Medina Lake
The fee to enter the park does not include fees that must be paid for boats, jet skis, and other facilities within the park and lake.
Where Can I Access Medina Lake?
You can access Medina Lake by driving on State Highway 16 and going to Bandera County. The only way to properly access the public park is to go to Bandera County Park toward the north side of Medina Lake. You may find the access at the end of Park Road 37 Plum Creek Cove.
If you are just seeking a place where you can launch your boat, there are also concrete boat ramps at Mico off FM 1283 at Red Cove Camp. If the water level is too low, boats are permitted to launch their boats off of the gravel path nearby instead of at the designated concrete ramps.
You can check out our article to look at the best tips for boating on Medina Lake to get the best advice possible!
Additional fees are required for those who wish to use their boat on Medina Lake. The ramp located at Mico off FM 1283 is privately owned, and you should contact Red Cove Camp to ask any questions that you might have about launching your boat at that ramp.
What Time Does Medina Lake Open?
The public location at Medina Lake is open from September through May. The park will only be open on Fridays and the weekend, and it opens at 8 am. Starting on Memorial Day each year, the park opens seven days a week, and you may enter the park an hour earlier at 7 am.
Red Cove Camp, privately owned, is open all year round. To check about their current schedules or closures, be sure to give them a call ahead of time. You do not want to make the trip over there without knowing what to expect.
There are several parks, campsites, and recreational areas surrounding Medina Lake, such as the Medina Lake RV Campground, where you can stay throughout the year. When you stay at the campground, you will have beautiful lake views. The campground also has a pool that you can swim in and many other amenities for guests.
If you want to know about more campground sites for RV’s, you might want to look at the best RV campgrounds at Medina Lake in that article!
Can You Swim in Lake Medina?
Medina Lake is a popular recreational site where people go swimming, fish, boat, and participate in other water activities. Swimming is permitted in the lake inside the specific swimming section that is roped off. This portion is safely away from the boats and jet skis. There is no lifeguard on duty, so life jackets and adult supervision is recommended.
Due to the clear water of the Lake, one of the most popular activities is not only swimming but also scuba diving. It is a popular site for scuba divers and snorkelers because they can see through the water and enjoy the serene environment.
Medina Lake even hosts a company that has started its own business offering private and semi-private swim lessons in the open water. People who would like to join these swim lessons must register for the lesson, wear a wetsuit, wear a certified swim cap, and the classes are only permitted during a certain time.
Most swimmers should stay in the designated swim areas, but open water swim allows you to venture out into the other places of the river beyond the ropes. However, open water swimming can only be done on the west side of the lake.
How Full Does the Water Level at Medina Lake Stay?
The Medina Lake was created to hold as much as 152 feet of water! The estimated storage capacity of Medina Lake is approximately 250,000 acre-feet of water. However, the water is not consistently level. The water level fluctuates throughout the year because it is used to help irrigate land to almost 1,900 nearby residents.
In 2002, the water levels at Medina Lake got too high for the capacity. The rainfall in Texas was quite more than they are used to, and the water in the lake began spilling over the dam. Dams are not made to have waters go up that high, and people started questioning the integrity of the dam. The company had to issue a warning.
Does Medina Lake Stay at a Constant Level?
Medina Lake is continuously fluctuating by about 40 feet depending on the type of weather that Texas received that year. If Bandera County experiences a wet winter, then the lake will have more water in the reservoir. Consequently, if they had a dry winter, then the water level will be lower.
In 2012, BMA realized they had to do something to help with the massive fluctuation that was occurring at Medina Lake. The lake got so empty the company started making improvements to help keep it more stable and ensure that they were not losing an excess of water.
People were told that the dam was not safe and that they should be aware of the potential dangers of the dam not being able to keep up with the high waters of the lake. After the 2020 scare, improvements were made to ensure the integrity of the dam and the safety of nearby residents.
Is Medina Lake Drying Up?
In the past, people have been afraid that the lake was going to completely dry up. At one point, the lake was nearly empty. The lake is purposely emptied if needed for agricultural purposes. The lake dries up because the water is taken to support local agriculture.
- In 2014, Medina Lake had less than 25,000 acre-feet of water
- In 2019 the lake was nearing the maximum level at about 250,000-acre feet
The lake is likely not going to dry up because it is man-made. If the water levels ever got too low, the Bexar-Medina-Atascosa (BMA) would open up the dam to allow water from the Medina River to enter into the reservoir.
BMA is improving its methods of protecting the water in Medina Lake. In the past, BMA found that most of its water supply was not being sold properly. Many companies were not being honest, and they were taking more water than they were letting on. Also, BMA noticed that a good portion of the water was being lost to evaporation and leakage.
Can You Take Your Dog to Medina Lake?
Dogs are absolutely welcome at Medina Lake. Dogs are even welcome to get into the water and swim. You can bring your dog to Medina Lake as long as you follow the guidelines for your four-legged friend.
- Dogs must be on-leash at all times.
- Owners must also be respectful of other people and pets.
- Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Your dog is certainly welcome at Medina Lake, but there are also other attractions around the lake that might interest you and your pal. There are many places around that allow pets as well!
If you ever find yourself in Bandera County in Texas, make sure that you do not miss out on the beautiful views of Medina Lake. This beautiful lake is perfect for your whole family, including your dog.
Conclusion
There is something for everybody, such as swimming, boating, jet-skiing, fishing, and even scuba diving. If you love fishing… Learn all about fishing at Medina Lake in that article!
If you are not interested in spending time in the water, you can also hike around the lake, enjoy a picnic or relax with a great meal at one of the Medina Lake restaurants. There are many different vacation rentals so that your family can enjoy the lake even after dark.
Medina Lake has a public location that anybody can go to during the day. The day-use area has boat launches and a public swimming area for the whole family to enjoy. The public-use area has very specific opening times, so make sure you check their website before planning your trip.
If you do not want to wait until the public day-use area is open, then you can check out the many private locations surrounding the shoreline of the beautiful lake. Medina is certainly an amazing place. It has beautiful views and crystal clear water.
And if you are looking for a place to stay, check out our article on the top 10 airbnb places on Medina Lake!
