About Bandera
Information and Community Links
Medina Lake, the Medina River and the Sabinal River offer a variety of water activities to both local residents and visitors. Although fishermen consistently take limits of crappie, white bass and black bass from Medina Lake, it's best known for the huge yellow catfish caught there each year. Its protected waters are excellent for boating, skiing, scuba diving and sailing. There is public access to the lake at the County Park/State Boat Launch at the end of Park Road 37, on the north side of the lake.
For canoeing, tubing or kayaking, the Medina River is recognized as one of the most scenic and exciting rivers in Texas. Canopied by towering cypress trees, it provides good fishing for spotted bass, Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass, perch and catfish. The scenic Sabinal River in extreme western Bandera County is great for swimming, tubing and fishing.
If you're a hunter, or just enjoy a great meal, don't miss the annual Hunter's BBQ, held the Friday evening before deer season opens Saturday. Usually the first week in November.
For the golf enthusiast, there are excellent 18-hole courses at the Lost Valley Resort Ranch and Flying L Guest Ranch. Both have fully stocked Pro Shops and give individual and group lessons.
State Parks
Lost Maples State Natural Area: 2 miles north of Vanderpool in extreme western Bandera County, contains 2208 acres and is named for its stands of bigtooth maple trees. There is a day use area with picnic sites, parking spaces, and a restroom. For extended visits, there is a camping area with electricity, water, dump station, and restrooms with showers. The park has 10 miles of hiking trails which cover part of the upper Sabinal River. The bigtooth maples are the outstanding feature of the park. This species grows today in the Rocky Mountains from Idaho to West Texas and northern Mexico. The trees are believed to be some of the surviving relics of the Pleistocene Ice Age. For bird watchers, there have been recorded sightings of just under 200 species of birds in, or passing over, this natural area. For information, call (210) 966-3413. For reservations, please call (512) 389-8900.
Hill Country State Natural Area: This 5400 acre area is southwest of Bandera on FM 1077, about 12 miles from the Hwy. 173 intersection, south of Bandera. Opened in 1984, primarily for equestrian use, the area is also popular with hikers, backpackers and all-terrain bicyclists who enjoy the 34 miles of multi-use trails and primitive camping areas. Facilities include walk-in tent sites, backpacking camp areas and designated fishing and swimming areas on a spring-fed creek. A group lodge with dormitory style accommodations in the old ranch foreman's residence will sleep 12. The park is closed on Tuesday and Wednesday . For information or reservations call, (210) 796-4413.
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