Black Rock Park, Buchanan Dam TX

New at Black Rock Park

Since our visit, 4 of the RV campsites have been converted to Airstream rentals. In the past, this park also rented a "pull-through" RV campsite (site number 9). It was located across from the campground bathhouse. It appears that they are no longer renting this space as an RV site.

While we normally don't like to see campgrounds remove sites from their rental selections, we agree with the LCRA removing this site from their reservation system. It was not a pull-through, but a "pull-off". It would be okay for a very small RV without slides, but anyone else parking in that site risked having their RV or slides run into as it was reasonably impossible to be completely out of the road when set up.

History of Lake Buchanan

Lake Buchanan was formed by the building of the Buchanan Dam during the Great Depression of the 1930s. But it’s history began long before that!

The nearby towns of Burnet and Bluffton were founded in 1852 followed by Llano in 1856. This area of Texas has historically had inconsistent weather, some months bring very little rainfall. At other times, the Colorado River surges with an overabundance of rain. A dam was first suggested here as a way to tame the river back in the 1850s.

It wasn't until 1931, however, that construction on the Hamilton Dam began. By that time, cities were beginning to benefit from electricity, but no electric service was available in rural counties. A dam would not only provide flood protection and drinking water, but also the opportunity to produce hydroelectric power.

The original townsite of Bluffton was covered by the lake and with the town moved approximately 7 miles west. When lake levels drop during drought conditions, you might catch a glimpse of Old Bluffton.

Unfortunately, the utility company tasked with building Hamilton Dam went bankrupt shortly after dam construction began. The project was left untouched until 1934.

Sunset on Lake Buchanan

Mature Trees in the Campground

The Birth of the LCRA

Former Texas State Senator Alvin Wirtz had worked with the now defunct utility company to build dams along the Guadalupe River, and was instrumental in the initial construction attempt of the Hamilton Dam on the Colorado River. When the build failed, he approached the federal government for financial backing to complete the project.

In response to the need to complete the Hamilton Dam, US Representative James P Buchanan helped to secure federal funding, but with the stipulation that the federal funds would not be paid to a private construction company. The project would have to be completed by a public agency owned by the state of Texas.

After several failed legislative attempts at creating this new agency, in 1934 Governor Miriam "Ma" Ferguson stepped in to arrange a compromise and the Lower Colorado River Authority (also known as LCRA) was born. (And yes, you read that right... the Governor of Texas in 1934 was a woman!)

Also in 1934, the project was renamed the Buchanan Dam after Representative Buchanan.

The Building of the Buchanan Dam

With the newly formed LCRA now in charge of the project, construction of the Buchanan Dam started again in 1935. Water impoundment commenced in 1937 and the Buchanan Dam officially opened in 1938.

To say the building of the dam was a huge undertaking, is a huge understatement! At completion, Buchanan Dam was the longest "Multiple Arch" Dam in the United States. It is more than 2 miles long and the top of the arches loom more than 1,000 feet above the mean sea level.

The north end of the dam features an emergency spillway which is uncontrolled. Buchanan Dam also features 37 floodgates capable of releasing 348,000 cubic feet of water per second.

Buchanan Dam underwent a $50+ Million update in 2021.

Lake Buchanan Today

At 22,452 acres, Lake Buchanan is the second largest of Texas' chain of Highland Lakes. It runs 30 miles in length, is just under 5 miles across at its widest point and hosts 124 miles of shoreline.

Lake Buchanan has the capacity to provide almost 55 megawatts of electric power, provides flood control on the Colorado River and drinking water for more than one million people.

Black Rock Park By the Numbers

Park Size: 25 acres

Year Opened: 1939

Number of Full Hookup RV Sites: 9

Number of Airstream Rental Sites: 4

Number of Tent-Only Sites: 13

Number of Air-Conditioned/Heated Cabins: 17

Number of Reservable Group Camping Areas: 5

Black Rock Park Amenities

Swimming, Boating and Fishing on Lake Buchanan

Beach Volleyball

Kayak and Stand Up Paddleboard Rentals

Mini Golf

Firewood Sales

24 Hour Ice / Drinking Water Sales

100-person Group Hall Available for Rent

Proximity to Several Towns with Restaurants, Shops and Grocery Stores

Birdwatching on the Beach

Relaxing at the Campsite

Tips for Visiting Black Rock Park

There is a park entrance fee to visit Black Rock Park. Two park entrance fees are included in camping or cabin reservations.

A boat launch and fishing pier are located next door at Llano County Park.

Bring your leveling blocks. Some sites are more level than others, but it's good to be prepared.

Lake Buchanan is a big draw here. It's a big lake with lots of room to swim, fish and boat. Expect weekends and Summer to be busy.

You need a Texas State Fishing License to fish at Black Rock Park or Llano County Park.

To make the most of your visit to this area, be sure to stop in for information at the Lake Buchanan - Inks Lake Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center. You'll find it at 19611 E Hwy 29 in Buchanan Dam, just West of the Inks Lake Bridge.