Comal Park

If you’re looking for a solid half-day or full-day spot on Canyon Lake, this one delivers. There’s a soccer field and open grass that gives kids room to actually run around, plus a walking path if the adults need to burn off lunch. Speaking of lunch — the BBQ area and picnic tables make it easy to set up a real spread rather than eating out of a cooler in a parking lot. The lake nearby is the obvious draw, and the shaded seating means you’re not miserable by 2pm in a Texas summer. Restrooms and parking are both taken care of, which sounds basic but makes a bigger difference than people admit.