Canyon Lake Gorge

About Canyon Lake Gorge

Canyon Lake Gorge is a 64-acre geological formation carved by historic floodwaters in 2002, located near Canyon Lake in the Hill Country northwest of New Braunfels. Visitors explore exposed cretaceous limestone layers, ancient faults and fractures, and the Trinity Aquifer through guided tours and self-guided trails maintained by volunteer Trailblazers. The site displays perfectly preserved fossils including sea urchins with visible spines and fossilized ocean ripples, alongside dinosaur footprints over 110 million years old. Waterfalls and springs mark where the aquifer breaks through the limestone surface. The Gorge serves as a real-life classroom where geologists and students learn how underground permeable rock cavities absorb and store rainwater that Central Texas communities depend on for drinking water and irrigation. A Fifth Grade Outdoor Classroom program brings school groups to study Hill Country geology firsthand. The Canyon Lake Gorge Preservation Society, a volunteer nonprofit organization, partners with local staff to lead tours, maintain trails, and protect this unique natural wonder.