Cranes Mill Park on the southwestern side of Canyon Lake reopens under new management in early May.
A soft opening is planned from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, May 1. Admission is free.
“It’s a great day for a quiet first look at improvements,” said Water Oriented Recreation District of Comal County (WORD) Communications and Events Coordinator Alexis Runnels.
WORD leased the scenic park from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which owns Canyon Lake’s shoreline and closed Cranes Mill in December 2025.
The grand reopening celebration is set for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2.
Festivities include yard games and a bounce house for kids. The Canyon Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will perform a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.
WORD staff will highlight new amenities.
The park’s features include a swing set, swimming area, picnic sites, sand volleyball, observation area and yard games.
Boat Ramp #10 is closed to motorized vessels due to the drought but accessible for launching kayaks and stand-up paddleboards.
WORD plans to modify the ramp to facilitate the launch of non-motorized vessels. The Crappie Dock will remain closed.
Other phased improvements at Cranes Mill Park include swim beaches, a lawn-games area, new playground equipment, and designated areas for sports and group recreation.
Operations will include dedicated cleaning staff and on-site support to ensure facilities remain safe, clean and well-maintained.
Cranes Mill’s hours of operation are 8 a.m.to 7:30 p.m. May 2-Oct. 31 with last entry at 6 p.m., and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 1-31 with last entry at 4:30 p.m.
Standard entry fees apply beginning May 2. They are $5 per vehicle with a valid Comal County registration sticker and $20 for all others.
RV park and overnight reservations are managed independently.
For more information, visit wordcc.com or cranesmillrv.com. RV campers can email inquiries to info@cranesmillrv.com.
Check the Cranes Mill Park Instagram and Facebook pages for real-time updates about park conditions.
WORD also leases and manages Canyon Lake’s popular Comal and Canyon parks and over 30 miles of floatable water on the Guadalupe River above and below Canyon Lake. The district is funded through revenue collected from local businesses that support water recreation.
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