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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

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Traversing rainbow rocks at Inks Lake State Park
Facing down toward pink granite at Inks Lake State Park, the scene shows a large rock with colorful lichen on it, underneath a blue sky.
Find ancient pink granite and gneiss at Inks Lake State Park. | Photo by ATXtoday
In honor of 100 years of Texas State Parks, we’re visiting eight in Travis and surrounding counties. We’ve already visited McKinney Falls and Pedernales Falls state parks, but this month, you voted for us to visit Inks Lake State Park.

Let’s take a drive northwest into Burnet County to learn more about what makes this park special.

History

Prehistoric people, Apache, and Comanche occupied these banks as far back as ~8,000 years ago. White settlement moved into the area in the mid-1800s, but Inks Lake itself didn’t exist until 1938, when the LCRA built the Inks Dam during the Great Depression.

The land for the park was acquired shortly afterward, in 1940. President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Civilian Conservation Corps was hired to build out the park after completing work at Longhorn Cavern State Park, but funding dried up when World War II began.

The State Parks Board completed the park on its own and officially opened up the land in 1950.

A gif panning along Hill Country views at Inks Lake State Park, with Inks Lake in the distance.

Thanks to the Inks Dam, Inks Lake is full year-round.

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Photo by ATXtoday

What to see

Don’t miss the pink gneiss and granite. Much of this rock is left over from the Grenville Orogeny, a tectonic event that created a Himalayan-like mountain chain in the US and Mexico ~1 billion years ago. These mountains have eroded, but the ancient rocks are still around.

Visitors can also see stunning wildflower displays and hike to Devil’s Waterhole, a small canyon and swimming area.

A close-up of water near the shores of Inks lake, with lake grasses, tree trunks, and other plants emerging out of it.

Reader David L. suggested we hike around the lake, so we tried out the Lake Trail at Inks Lake Park.

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Photo by ATXtoday

What to do

Several readers recommended trying out the hiking trails, and reader David L. had additional suggestions: “Hike around the lake … do Longhorn Cavern after, then have lunch at Blue Bonnet Cafe.”

Inks Dam helps keep the Lake full year-round, making water activities always in season. Try:
  • Swimming, water skiing, paddleboarding, and canoeing
  • Fishing
  • Bird watching
  • Camping, starting at $11 per night
Make a reservation to visit Inks Lake State Park online.
Asked

Which state park should we visit next?
A. Lockhart State Park
B. Blanco State Park
C. Buescher State Park
D. Other
Let us know
Precision Camera & Video
 
Events
Thursday, June 1
  • “Y’all Means All” Night at the Museum | Thursday, June 1 | 6-8 p.m. | LBJ Presidential Library, 2313 Red River St., Austin | Free | Kick off Pride Month with a family-friendly event featuring music, activities, and representation from more than a dozen local organizations.
  • Dillion Carmichael | Thursday, June 1 | 8 p.m. | 3TEN at ACL Live, 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd., Austin | $20 | The Kentucky country artist will stop in Austin for his “Son of A” Tour.
Friday, June 2
  • KUTX Rock the Park | Friday, June 2 | 6:45 p.m. | Mueller Lake Park, 4550 Mueller Blvd., Austin | Free | This weekend is the last show of the spring 2023 season, featuring Rosie Flores and Big Bill.
Saturday, June 3
  • Vintage Market | Saturday, June 3 | 12-5 p.m. | Vista Brewing, 13551 FM 150 W., Driftwood | Free | Shop retro clothing, jewelry, and home goods at this market — don’t miss Vista’s farm-to-table food and walking trails while you’re at it.
  • Roller Derby Double Header | Saturday, June 3 | 4-8 p.m. | Austin Sports Center, 425 Woodward St., Austin | $5-$22 | Watch this double feature and cheer on the Hustlers, Hell Marys, Heartbreakers, and Hotrods.
Sunday, June 4
  • Make a Mini Living Wall Class | Sunday, June 4 | 1-2:30 p.m. | Articulture Designs, 6405 Menchaca Rd., Austin | $85 | Get crafty and exercise your green thumb at this hands-on DIY class.
Monday, June 5
  • Manana Mosey | Monday, June 5 | 7 a.m. | Manana Dos, 111 Sandra Muraida Way, Ste. 101, Austin | Free | Participate in a free 5K led by the team at Nike, followed by snacks, matcha, and giveaways.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
State
  • Gov. Greg Abbott appointed John Scott as Texas’ interim attorney general yesterday. Scott, a former Texas secretary of state, will serve in the role while Ken Paxton awaits a Senate impeachment trial. (Austin American-Statesman)
Cause
  • The Central Texas Food Bank’s summer meals program, which distributes ~5,000 meals to kids daily across the city, returns on Monday, June 5. The nonprofit joins at least eight local school districts and Kerbey Lane Cafe in offering free meals to kids this summer. (KXAN + CBS Austin)
Development
  • Colony Park Sustainable Community, a 208-acre development in East Austin, will have just over 1,000 residential homes. The project, which is still awaiting Austin City Council approval, is expected to go under construction in 2025 and would set aside 20% of units for affordable housing. (KVUE)
Coming Soon
  • The team behind Elementary, a New American restaurant opening at 2032 S. Lamar Blvd. in July, will also open a wine bar next door called Hopscotch. The 15-seat space will serve natural wines, cocktails, and snacks. (Eater Austin)
Shop
  • Hermés, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton … add Versace to the list of luxury stores opening up in ATX. The Italian brand plans to open a store at The Domain, alongside Miami-based apparel company The Webster. (Austin Business Journal)
Tech
  • ERCOT launched a new electric grid communications system called TXANS. The online platform will update users via email, social media, and its website about the status of the electric grid, and inform the public on any action needed to reduce demand. (KXAN)
Announced
  • Refugee Services of Texas, the largest refugee resettlement agency in the state and the only one in Austin, closed its offices last week. Austin-based clients will be transferred to Episcopal Migration Ministries for the time being. (KXAN)
Sports
  • Former Longhorn tennis player Peyton Stearns defeated a top 20 player — No. 17 Jelena Ostapenko — for the first time yesterday in the second round of the 2023 French Open. The rising star is projected to reach No. 54 in the world rankings this week. (Austin American-Statesman)
Kids
  • Looking for a way to keep the kiddos active all summer long, rain or shine? Enter: Kids Bowl Free, a national program that connects you with local bowling alleys like Austin’s where kids can receive two free games of bowling each day. Learn more and sign up.*
Ranked

Culture

8 national rankings featuring Austin
The Austin skyline, as seen from between trees lining the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail./
Austin was recently ranked one of the best cities in the US for food, retirement, and pets. | Photo by ATXtoday
As you may have heard, Austin recently jumped up a spot on the list of largest cities in the US, breaking into the Top 10 population rankings for the first time.

But that’s just one of many ways to compare the Capital City to its peers — here are eight recent national rankings featuring ATX.
 
The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
Happy first day of June, Austinites. This is around the time that I start dousing myself in sunscreen, planning weekend days on the water, and buying lots and lots of iced coffee.

We’re also pretty quickly approaching the longest day of the year. On Wednesday, June 21, the sun will be out for slightly more than 14 hours in Austin.
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