You smell the smoke before you see the park. Championship pits lined up, a Saturday that stays by the water, and live music whenever they post the lineup. That is the Canyon Lake BBQ Cook-Off, and you drove over from Spring Branch on purpose.
It runs October 10, about 11 to 5, at Canyon Park on Canyon Park Road. Confirm tickets and parking on the Canyon Lake Chamber listing before you go. Kids 12 and under are free. Adult and parking prices can shift, so check ahead. Keep this day separate from Fall Fest later in October at the same park. Different energy: pits and cook-off crowds here, community fall day there.
The drive is about 10 to 25 minutes east. You taste. You walk the vendors. If more friends or family made the trip, you can lose each other in the crowd and still find each other by the smoke.
Leave before you are tired of the sun. Then you are back toward Spring Branch, the lake falling behind you. Your own space is still yours.
The Casitas at Sun Valley has six private casitas and two geodesic domes. Book the weekend that matches the cook-off, not a random October.