Lake Dunlap is conveniently located between Interstate 35 in New Braunfels and Lake McQueeney on the Guadalupe River. More importantly, this makes it an ideal location to find your dream home. Spend your time at home enjoying the beautiful location, scenery and the activities out on the lake or jump in the car for a short commute to what Austin and San Antonio has to offer.
Lake Dunlap has become a popular destination for homeowners who want to enjoy waterfront living, while being a a short drive away from the amentities New Braunfels has to offer. Joshua Downey has extensive experience helping people find Lake Dunlap homes that fits their needs and budget, and he’s ready to help you find the perfect home for your family.
Out on the Lake
Lake Dunlap is approximately 7 miles long with a large portion of natural shorelines. At its deepest, the lake reaches about 40 feet, and it packs a total storage capacity of around 5,900 acre-feet. What this means to you – miles of the Guadalupe River to enjoy boating, water skiing and a lot of fun!
The lake level stays constant almost year round, with the deepest area being near the dam where it is also at its widest. Near the head waters, you can often see the bottom of the lake, fish and your toes while swimming in the crisp, clean water. So whether you enjoy fishing, swimming, jet skiing, or water skiing, you will find plenty of recreational opportunities on the lake. There is even a public boat ramp located under Interstate 35 in New Braunfels which offers free access to launch your boat.
Homes for Sale in Lake Dunlap, TX
This is a popular place to settle down because of its proximity to New Braunfels and everything it has to offer. It’s also just a short commute to Austin and San Antonio, so you’re never too far from big city amenities.
Then, when you’re ready to kick back and relax, your beautiful home on the lake will be waiting for you.
Take a look at the current listings and contact him today to find a waterfront property to call home.
View as table
| Lake | Went low | Water returned |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Dunlap | Gate failed May 2019 | Refilled Oct 2023 |
| Lake Placid | Drained 2021 | Full Apr 2026 |
| Lake McQueeney | Drained 2023 | Full Apr 2026 |
Sources: Community Impact, KSAT, GBRA. Current status. Placid and McQueeney are shown from the start of the year they were drained.
A rebuilt dam
One of the original spill gates failed in May 2019 and most of the lake drained. Lakefront owners voted to create a water control and improvement district to help pay for a new dam. Construction finished in 2023, and the lake was back to its normal level that October.
For buyers, that means the dam holding the lake is new rather than nearly 100 years old. Ask how the district tax affects a home before you make an offer, since it adds to the yearly cost of owning on the lake.
What to check before buying on the water
Look up the property on FEMA's Flood Map Service Center and talk to a licensed insurance agent about flood and homeowners coverage early, ideally before your option period ends. A homeowners policy doesn't cover flooding, so flood insurance is a separate policy. Compare quotes from more than one licensed agent.
Hire a licensed inspector and ask whether the dock, boathouse and bulkhead are part of the inspection. You can verify an inspector's license with the Texas Real Estate Commission.
Read the HOA rules and any deed restrictions before you make plans for the property. They can limit things like short-term rentals and changes to the shoreline.
Getting around from Lake Dunlap
- Nearest H-E-B12 min5.4 mi by car · H-E-B at Walnut
- Downtown New Braunfels12 min5.4 mi by car
- Gruene18 min8.2 mi by car
- San Marcos outlets26 min16.8 mi by car
- Downtown San Antonio46 min35.3 mi by car
- Downtown Austin66 min52.4 mi by car
- San Antonio airport44 min30.1 mi by car
- Austin airport70 min55.7 mi by car
Distances are measured from a point inside Lake Dunlap using OpenStreetMap road data and the OSRM routing engine. Drive times assume no traffic, so allow extra time at rush hour and on summer weekends. Your exact distance depends on the address.
Common questions
Is Lake Dunlap full?
Yes. The new dam was finished in 2023 and the lake was refilled to its normal level in October 2023.
Do Lake Dunlap homes pay an extra tax for the dam?
Lakefront properties are in the Lake Dunlap Water Control and Improvement District, which helped fund the new dam. Ask for the current rate when you look at a specific home.
How far is Lake Dunlap from San Antonio?
About 35.3 miles by car to downtown San Antonio (the Alamo), roughly 46 minutes with no traffic. San Antonio International Airport is about 30.1 miles away.
How far is Lake Dunlap from Austin?
About 52.4 miles by car to downtown Austin (the Texas Capitol), roughly 66 minutes with no traffic. Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about 55.7 miles away.
Where is the nearest H-E-B to Lake Dunlap?
The closest H-E-B by driving distance is H-E-B at Walnut, 651 S. Walnut Ave., New Braunfels, about 5.4 miles away.
How far is Lake Dunlap from the San Marcos outlets?
San Marcos Premium Outlets is about 16.8 miles away by car, roughly 26 minutes with no traffic.
