It may be wintertime, but frigid temperatures and biting north winds don't have to prevent you from enjoying Lake LBJ year-round. While swimming and wakeboarding are obviously out of the question, you can still enjoy the Lake this Christmas with these seven fun activities!
1. Captain a vessel
Swimming, wading, wakeboarding, tubing, jet skiing, and paddleboarding might be out, but boating is definitely a great way to enjoy the water without getting wet. You can launch your own boat from the public ramps at Granite Beach Park or Kingsland Lions Park, but if you don't have your own vessel, try renting a kayak from JustYakin' Kayak Rentals, Splash Boat Rentals, or any of the local marinas, such as Lake LBJ Resort & Marina.
If you're partial to larger watercrafts, Splash Boat Rentals, El Rio Boat Rentals, and Lake LBJ Yacht Club & Marina can hook you up with pontoons, ski boats, tri-boons, and sea-doos. You can even learn to sail through The Lodge at Lake LBJ!
2. Walk or jog a nature trail
Lake LBJ may be loved first and foremost for its water activities, but it should also be known for its opportunities to enjoy nature. The land surrounding the lake is characterized by classic hill country forests, prairies, and limestone bluffs. One of the best ways to experience the landscape is to hike along the nature trails at The Trails at Horseshoe Bay, a residential area developed around protected wildlife habitat and four miles of intertwining walking paths. Learn more about the trail system here.
3. Enjoy lake views while you golf
There are plenty of opportunities to play golf near lake LBJ. Five local favorites located closest to the lake are The Legends Golf Course, Horseshoe Bay Resort's Slick Rock and Ram Rock golf facilities, Lighthouse Country Club (formerly Packsaddle Country Club), and Escondido Golf & Lake Club. All five of these courses offer lovely lake views and challenging play for all experience levels.
4. Winter camp or hole up in a cabin
You probably don't want to sleep out under the stars during winter, but camping or staying in a cabin are always two great ways to experience Lake LBJ. Both options will give you access to a fire pit where you can legally build a campfire and bond with loved ones telling stories, roasting marshmallows, and heck, even making music together.
The closest places to reserve campsites are at Inks Lake State Park or Hidden Falls Adventure Park. Cabins are located all along the lake, but some of the more popular sites are the lakeside cabins by Little Lodge on the Lake and Sunset Point on Lake LBJ's Bella Vista Cabin. RVers also have a number of campground to choose from, including Granite Rock RV Park and Sunset Point on Lake LBJ.
Read here for more camping options.
5. Enjoy a warm meal
When all else fails, perhaps the best thing to do on a cold wintry day is to sit down to a warm meal. Between all of the lake resorts and tourist-focused amenities surrounding Lake LBJ, there are a number of amazing dining options to choose from.
The Picayune recently released a list of the Highland Lakes community's favorite businesses of 2014, including restaurants. Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay's winners were The Dam Grill, Spyke's BBQ, Grand Central Cafe, Alfredo's Mexican Restaurant, Lighthouse Restaurant & Bar, and Cooper's BBQ. Horseshoe Bay Resort's Lantana Grill & Bar is another popular spot.
If none of those activities sound appealing, you could also try playing sand volleyball on the Sunrise Beach side of Lake LBJ or exploring farther inland through Granite Shoals, Marble Falls, Kingsland, and Horseshoe Bay. You're bound to discover a wide variety of interesting ways to fill your time at Lake LBJ -- even during the winter. We promise.
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Featured photo: Flickr user Mark Hillary, CC licensed.
