Woodlawn Lake Park

Woodlawn Lake Park is a beautiful 62-acre facility located just northwest of downtown San Antonio, Texas.  A city park since 1918, Woodlawn Lake features an artificial lake of about 30 acres in size.   The Lake is a favorite for family picnics, barbeques and birthday parties as well.  (No alcohol is allowed without a permit.)  The annual Citywide Fourth of July fireworks celebrations, sailing regattas, organized league sports, swimming events, Pro-wrestling and many other events are held at the park.

The Lake is extremely popular for fitness activities such as jogging and walking.  The Lake has a 1.33-mile asphalt jogging/walking trail.  (Bicycles are not allowed on the trail.)  Tennis, softball/baseball, soccer, basketball and other sports facilities are available too.  The tennis courts, which are lighted, are available first come; first serve, as are the outdoor basketball courts, which are not lighted.

Woodlawn Lake has many more amenities to include an Olympic sized swimming Pool, indoor gymnasium, fishing, sailing/canoeing, lighthouse, pavilion, restrooms, playscape, basketball court, athletic fields, and tennis court. 

The lake is available for fishing and non-motorized boating. Rentals at the park include the party house, pavilion, gym and softball field.  For more information or reservations, call 210-207-PARK (210-207-7275) or visit the city of San Antonio’s website for the Park Department’s main page.

Woodlawn Lake Park History
1103 Cincinnati

Woodlawn Lake was the dream of real estate developers in the 1880s who wanted to build West End, a residential subdivision on San Antonio's rural west side. It was George W. Russ, president of the Rhode Island-based West End Town Company, who saw great potential in the flat pasture on Alazan Creek and made the dream come true. To attract residents, the creek was dammed to create West End Lake, which some reports say was as large as 80 acres. (Today it is about 30 acres.)

Visitors traveled by streetcar to enjoy the finest artificial lake in the south.  Electric lights (still new at that time) illuminated the lake where visitors danced in an outdoor pavilion and rowed in small boats. In later years there were outdoor movies and vaudeville acts. The lake and surrounding land were privately owned until 1918 when they were deeded to the City of San Antonio. The name was changed to Woodlawn Lake and many improvements and additions have been made to the 62-acre park. Today, after more than 125 years, Woodlawn Lake remains a popular gathering spot for visitors from throughout San Antonio.

Woodlawn Lake Park offers a relaxing park atmosphere with some amenities that may be rented and others that are available to the public, first come first serve. While the pavilion and party house can be rented, the playscape, and the jogging/waking trail are open to the public. The asphalt trail, popular with area residents, is 1.33 miles long.

For more information on City of San Antonio services or events, please dial 311 or (210) 207-7235.

Interested in visiting San Antonio?  Please fill out our Visitor Guide Request Form to receive a Visitor Information Package or send e-mail.

City Department Directory / Phone Listing

SATXWEATHER General Website Directory General Web Directory.