Canyon Lake celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with a spectacular fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 4.
Liberty on the Lake includes 20 minutes of professional fireworks and a two-minute grand finale.
Pyrotechnics will be launched from a barge anchored between Canyon and Jacob’s Creek parks.
Fireworks will be synchronized to music. To stream music from anywhere, download the Pyrocast app, available on both iPhone and Android devices, and enter the code BRLG.
This is the first time a sanctioned fireworks show has been launched directly on the lake. The fireworks show at the Lodge at Turkey Cove, an annual Canyon Lake tradition, has been discontinued.
WORD Operations Manager Wes Walker grew up in Canyon Lake and said the barge will be placed as close to the middle of the lake as possible, “with the honest hope that everyone in our community can look up and enjoy this historic event together.
“The best part about Liberty on the Lake is that it was entirely created, funded and organized by our community. This is a monumental date in our nation’s history, and we built this event from the ground up to honor it. This is just the beginning for us.”
WORD Communications and Events Coordinator Alexis Runnels says the best viewing locations for Liberty on the Lake (aside from boats) are at Canyon and Jacob’s Creek parks.
Additional viewing locations include Comal, Overlook, and North parks, as well as the service road atop Canyon Lake’s dam.
The show will be visible from these areas, but viewers may notice a slight sound delay.
Fireworks will not be visible from anywhere along the shoreline due to the lake’s natural terrain.
“The hills may end up blocking the show if people are viewing from lower spots,” she said. “We recommend sticking to the designated viewing locations for the best viewing experiences.”
Comal County Precinct 1 Commissioner Doug Leecock, who served on the Canyon Lake Boat Ramps Community Alliance, said there are no nearby county ramps that would provide an exceptional view of the show.
“People can park at a closed boat ramp and walk along the shoreline to provide themselves a better view, however it will be dark when the show is complete and it is not recommended,” he said. “The county-operated ramps are for parking to launch and recover watercraft, not for tailgating. All normal rules apply for swimming, fishing, and again, the best viewing will be from parks.
“People can launch their non-motorized watercraft at any county-operated ramp; however, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has regulations related to lighting requirements for watercraft on the water at night. People should ensure to follow TPWD lighting requirements to safely operate their watercraft at night.”
Expect Long Lines and Possible Closures
WORD warns the public to expect heavy traffic and long wait times to get in and out of parks, which may close at capacity.
Boat ramps will fill up fast, and some vessels will be turned away.
People should arrive early to secure good viewing locations.
Parking is limited, especially at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)-managed Overlook and North parks.
Time-sensitive updates about WORD-operated parks will be posted on social media.
Personal fireworks are strictly prohibited at all parks and boat ramps. No glass, styrofoam (including foam coolers), or plastic containers five ounces or less are allowed.
Watching from the Water
Due to drought, only three of Canyon Lake’s 23 boat ramps are still open for launching motorized vessels.
Organizers strongly recommend launching boats in the morning and staying out on the lake until the show ends.
- Ramp #14 (Jacob’s Creek Park) — Opens at 8 a.m. Admission is $15/vehicle for DOD ID cardholders and $20/vehicle for the general public.
- Ramp #18 (Canyon Park) — Opens at 7 a.m. Admission is $20/vehicle or $5/vehicle wth Comal County registration sticker.
- Ramp #19 (Canyon Lake Marina, 280 Marina Dr.) — Opens at 9 a.m. Admission is $30/vehicle.
Tailgating by Park
Parks recommended as viewing locations for Liberty on the Lake are managed by three separate entities: USACE, WORD, and Joint Base San Antonio (military). Hours, fees, amenities and sometimes regulations may vary.
With long lines and huge crowds anticipated, pick the park that best fits your needs.
JBSA Recreation Park at Canyon Lake
Starting at 4 p.m. Saturday, July 4, the public can enjoy amusement rides, bounce houses, food trucks and live music at the park.
Amenities include lakefront picnic and recreation areas, beaches/swimming areas, fishing piers, Boat Ramp #14 (open), playgrounds, hiking/nature trails, walking trails, viewing decks/overlooks, soccer fields, a sand-beach volleyball court, and restrooms.
The day-use park, located at 698 Jacobs Creek Park Rd., opens at 8 a.m. Admission is $15/vehicle for DOD ID cardholders and $20/vehicle for the general public.
Parking shuttles will run continuously throughout the park from noon to 11 p.m.
For more information, call 830-964-3576.
Canyon Park
Canyon Park. 1769 Canyon Park Rd., is operated by WORD. Complete information about the park and Liberty on the Lake is available at wordcc.com and wordcc.com/liberty-on-the-lake.
The 485-acre day-use park is located on the north shore of Canyon Lake. It has many picnic sites equipped with charcoal grills, Boat Ramp #18 (open), and restrooms throughout the park. There are two designated swim beaches.
The famous Madrone Trail and Butterfly Garden are inside the park.
Other recreational opportunities include a volleyball court, soccer, tetherball, a hammock station, a playground, a fishing pier, and a water bridge.
On Independence Day, Canyon Park will open at 7 a.m. with standard park entry rates of $20/vehicle and $5/for vehicles with Comal County registration stickers.
The entry gate closes at 6 p.m. and reopens at 7:30 p.m. for free fireworks viewing. No entry will be permitted from 6-7:30 p.m.
Guests who are already inside the park may remain on site during this time.
Organizers recommend arriving early in the day to secure a viewing spot and set up for the show.
Comal Park
Comal Park, 1178 Comal Park Rd., is operated by WORD. Complete information about the park and Liberty on the Lake is available at wordcc.com and wordcc.com/liberty-on-the-lake.
The 116-acre park is located on the south shore of Canyon Lake near Startzville.
Amenities include picnic sites equipped with charcoal grills, two boat ramps (closed), a playground, restrooms throughout the park, kayak and SUP rentals, a sand volleyball court, soccer goals, disc golf, and a 1.2-mile walking trail.
There’s a sandbox/fossil dig for kids and a hammock station.
The park has a designated swimming area.
Visitors can easily access the shoreline.
WORD recommends arriving early in the day to secure a viewing spot.
The park opens at 8 am. on Independence Day. Standard park entry fees apply during the day. They are $5/vehicle with Comal County registration stickers and $20/vehicle without. Admission is free after 7:30 p.m.
The entry gate closes at 6 p.m and reopens at 7:30 p.m. Guests who are already in the park can remain on site.
Overlook Park
USACE operates this free day-use observation park, which provides direct access to one of the most spectacular views of Canyon Lake, the dam, spillway, and the Guadalupe River via the service road atop Canyon Dam.
The park, located at 601 Corps of Engineers Rd., does not have picnic areas but there are public restrooms. The parking area is small.
Parking along South Access Road at the base of the dam is not allowed.
On Independence Day, the public is invited to walk across the dam.
Overlook Park is recommended for those with sensory sensitivities as sound from the fireworks display will be more muted.
The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Independence Day
North Park
USACE operates this free, day-use park with picnic tables, grills, fire rings and access to the shoreline water activities.
Located at 3210 N. Park Rd., North Park is situated at the other end of Canyon Dam, across from Overlook Park, and provides easy access to Canyon Dam’s service road.
An adjacent eastern shoreline next to North Park has hazardous features that present a significantly elevated risk of serious injury or fatality. This area is closed to the public.
The park opens will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Independence Day.