A cozy outdoor seating area with two chairs around a fire pit, surrounded by nature.

Activities & Attractions

Things to Do in Texas Hill Country

A vacation getaway at Equinox Inn at Canyon Lake offers a chance to slow down, take a deep breath and relax for a bit.

Watching, feeding or photographing the deer, catching a glimpse of a fox or watching the birds are just a few of our guests’ favorite activities. Or sitting out on the deck or your private balcony with an adult beverage and enjoying the evening breeze and each other's company.

A straw hat and magazines rest on a blue hammock surrounded by greenery.

Property Activities May Include

hiking the nature trails, watching the wildlife, playing board & table games, swinging in the hammocks, viewing sunrises & sunsets, stargazing, grilling & picnicking, and bird watching - just to name a few! We like to think it takes more than a week to see & do all our area has to offer.

1 Mile Away

Canyon Lake

Swimming Cove

Boat Ramp

Fishing

3 Miles Away

Stahlman’s at Bear Creek Farmer’s Market & Full Deli (BBQ served weekends only, and homemade chili served all Winter long daily)

5 + Miles Away

Live outdoor music at White Water Amphitheater

Guadalupe River Calendar of Events

Throughout the Year – See specific activities by using the left navigation

A close-up of a vintage microphone against a blurred, colorful bokeh background.

Live Music

When contacting any of the businesses listed here, please let them know you found them on the Equinox Inn at Canyon Lake web site.

Gruene Hall - Texas’ oldest dance hall
Tavern in the Gruene - Where Tradition Meets Swank
Whitewater on the Horseshoe
KNBT Radio - Provides up-to-date music listings for all the area music venues.

A beautifully dimly lit restaurant table set with glasses, candles, and rustic decor.

Restaurants

Below you'll find a listing of our recommended restaurants in the Canyon Lake, New Braunfels, Gruene, and Driftwood areas.

Two wine bottles in front of wooden barrels in a wine cellar.

Wineries

The Canyon Lake & New Braunfels area is lucky to have many adventure options. Besides our well-known water sports, we offer such outdoor adventure destinations as zip lines, hiking & biking trails, wild animal viewing, horseback riding & racing, and much more. Below you will find a sampling of area activities you may consider.

Hill Country Vineyards and Wineries

There are 45 vineyards/wineries within 45 miles of Canyon Lake and the closest one is only a little over 1 mile, one is 10 miles away & 2 more are only 15 miles away. The Texas Hill Country Wine Trail starts here. There is so much to see and do along the way as you meander from winery to winery. We are unable to provide links to all the wineries, but we have a few of them with their links below. We also have the Texas State Association link & a Wine Events web site link below.

Dry Comal Creek

Dry Comal Creek is our closest Vineyard/Winery. They are on our Sip N See Trail Guide #1!

Winery On The Gruene

830-608-1976

Winery On The Gruene is a new winery that opened in November 2008. It is a custom winery where you and your friends can gather to make your own wine or sit back and relax with a glass of custom-made wine for your enjoyment. Make your special occasion even better by making your own wine and designing your own original label. Wine is sold by the glass and by the bottle as well as offering tastings. Located in Gruene at 1308 Gruene Road by the Guadalupe River. This winery is on our Sip-N-See Trail #1.

The Grapevine

830-606-0093

The Grapevine is a wine tasting room located in Gruene, Texas specializing in Texas wines. They have one of the largest selections of Texas wines and offer complimentary tastings daily. They sell wine by the glass and the bottle and offer discounts on case prices. In addition they sell an assortment of cheese and crackers that customers may enjoy with a glass of wine on their front porch. Special tastings are available for small parties on a limited basis. This winery is on our Sip-N-See Trail #1.

Bella Vista

Bella Vista is the only commercial olive oil producing grove in Texas. It also has a vineyard, and pick-your-own blackberry events in season. They offer tours daily.

Driftwood Vineyards and Winery

Driftwood Vineyards and Winery has a wonderful selection of more unusual wines. Many of the wineries have places to picnic; this is a good place to enjoy the countryside as you picnic. See the web link for more details.

Texas Hills Vineyards and Winery

Texas Hills Vineyards and Winery make a great physical statement. They have a wonderful port, and their sweet wines can’t be beaten. They also offer cheese and other goodies for sale in their gift shop. Go to their web site to get more detail.

Garrison Brothers Distillery

Garrison Brothers Distillery is the only “legal” bourbon distillery. It is located in Hye, Texas on the 290 Wine Trail. Hye is between Blanco and Stonewall. When you stay at Equinox Inn at Canyon Lake, our guests get VIP passes for a tour and tasting.

Texas Wine & Grape Growers Association

Local Wine Events

Sign up for their Newsletter to be notified of all the Hill Country Wine Events. This is a wonderful web site for wine & food lovers.

Golf

Social Packages for non-members will be coming soon. These packages will combine golf, drinks, food, swimming, weight room, and tennis in assorted packages for one fee. Check back in late January or early February for further information.

Adventures

When contacting any of the businesses listed here, please let them know you found them on the Equinox Inn at Canyon Lake web site. Click on the learn more to see their web site or use the left navigation to view more that is available.

The Canyon Lake & New Braunfels area is lucky to have many adventure options. Besides our well-known water sports, we offer such adventure destinations as zip lines, hiking & biking trails, wild animal viewing, horseback riding & racing, and much more. Below you will find a few options you may consider. In addition to the Canyon Lake adventure options listed below, we also have links to other adventure options for:

Brauntex Performing Arts Theater - Live Entertainment
Bat Viewing Locations - In the Hill Country
Gruene Market - (Saturday & Sunday): Runs every 3rd weekend April thru December
Texas Trail Riding Company
Wimberley Zipline Adventures -
Pricing and Reservations: Tours are $60 per person, which includes parking, equipment, training, guided walking tour, bottled water, and of course, the full 8-run, 15-mile zip line adventure. A $30 deposit is required for each tour at the time of booking with the balance due upon your arrival. This is a non-refundable deposit unless you cancel one week ahead of your scheduled tour time and even then we may not be able to fill your spot on the tour. Advanced reservations are required for every tour. Make reservations prior to arriving at Canyon Lake. These tours fill up fast!
Tour times: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (Closed on Tuesdays): 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:00 PM (5:00 PM Available for large groups during summer hours). Sunday: 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM (5:00 PM Available for large groups during summer hours). Call to check availability and make reservations. 512-847-9990
Backpack Picnic For Two - $25 - Includes all non-perishable food items for your adventure out in the Hill Country. Peanut Butter & Honey Sandwiches on 7-Grain Bread (choose chunky or smooth peanut butter), Sun Chips, Vegetable Sticks, Dried Fruit Mix, Granola Bars, and Bottled Water.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - Open daily 9 am – 5 pm
Natural Bridge Caverns - Open daily 9 am – 5 pm
Animal World & Snake Farm - Open daily 9 am – 5 pm
Guadalupe River Trail - 1 1/4 mile trail (one way)

Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake Gorge Tours - The Gorge was carved out of the earth during the 2002 flood over the lake’s spillway. Guided tours are now available, but usually book up early. You would need to book with them at least a month in advance. Click on the tours link here to get all the information. The Canyon Lake Gorge is a beautiful and natural insight into the geology and hydrologic dynamics of Glenrose limestone in Comal County near Canyon Lake.
Canyon Lake Adventures - 830-832-4155

Canyon Lake Fishing - Open daily 9 am – 5 pm

State Parks

A man and a woman enjoy riding a jet ski on a lake, creating splashes in the water.