Somebody's cape is already on by breakfast. That's how you know it's the last big weekend of October at Canyon Lake. Saturday is packed with hayrides and pumpkins, Sunday ends at the lake, and every night you're back at your own place in Spring Branch, an easy drive away.
For families, Retro Revival and Wanderlust each have a big two-queen bedroom with its own bath, plus a queen sleeper sofa and a second full bath, and sleep up to six, so everyone has room to settle in after a full day outside.
Canyon Lake Fall Fest 2026: the details
Fall Fest is Sunday, October 25, starting at 2pm at Canyon Park, 1769 Canyon Park Rd. WORD of Comal County is hosting, with games, local vendors, food trucks, and plenty of fall and Halloween fun. Details are still coming in, so check wordcc.com or call WORD at (830) 907-2300 about parking and entry before you head over.
Canyon Park's season runs through October 31, so this is the lake's send-off for the year. If little legs need a warm up, the Madrone Trail pollinator garden is right there in the park.
Saturday, October 24: a full day in Startzville
- Canyon Lake Gorge in the morning. The guided tour takes about 2 hours and covers roughly 1.25 miles past fossils, dinosaur tracks, and waterfalls. Tours are $20, ages 7 and up, and booking ahead is the way to go: Canyon Lake Gorge Tours.
- St. Andrew Lutheran Fall Festival & Country Bazaar, 9am to 2pm. You'll find it at 7420 FM 2673. The costume contest is at 11 for Pre-K through adults. There's a $3 hayride, games that are mostly $1, face painting, baked goods, crafts and quilts, and a raffle drawing at 1:30, with proceeds going to local nonprofits.
- Heritage Museum Fall Fun & Pumpkin Carving, 4 to 6pm. It's free, at 4831 FM 2673, and co-hosted with Tye Preston Memorial Library. Wear the costumes again for trick or treating, kids' crafts, and free snow cones. Pumpkins and carving tools are available on site, with donations welcome. Come a little early to walk the museum's dinosaur trackways and fossil trails.
Pumpkin patches close to home
Two patches are a short drive away, so they're perfect for a Friday arrival or a slow Sunday morning.
- The PATCH at Winding Branch Ranch in Bulverde is open Friday to Sunday, 9 to 5, through November 1.
- Bulverde Pumpkin Patch on W. Ammann Rd is open weekends, 11 to 7, through October 31.
Sunday: Fall Fest, then Italian on the way home
After the afternoon at Canyon Park, stop at Gennaro's Trattoria on Startz Rd. They're open Sundays 11 to 9.
Where to stay near Canyon Lake for a fall weekend
The Casitas at Sun Valley has six private casitas and two geodesic domes in Spring Branch, an easy drive from Canyon Lake and Startzville. Bringing the cousins too? Retro Revival and Wanderlust book together and sleep up to twelve. Pack the costumes, carve the pumpkins, and end every day with your own space and a sky full of stars like no city could ever give you.