Four miles northwest
of Belton via Texas
317 north, then FM 2271 west.
About eighty miles from Austin.
Lake Belton is a 12,300-acre impoundment of the Leon River. Numerous
creeks, coves and long peninsulas make the lake scenic and account
for over one hundred miles of shoreline. Built by the Army Corps of
Engineers between 1949 and 1954, Belton Dam is 3,800 feet long and
172 feet high. Lake Belton extends to the boundaries of Mother
Neff State Park, the first park in the state system. The lake
provides water for nearby Fort
Hood and spans Bell and Coryell counties. A mural on the east
side of Belton Dam tells the story of this area's history. Lake Belton
is calm and has lots of swimming docks and picnic areas. Of the thirteen
public parks, three have swimming beaches: Cedar Ridge, Westcliff
and Temple's Lake.
Miller's Spring
Park
Of interest
is Miller's Spring Park created when Lake Belton overflowed in 1992,
carving out a huge canyon and wetland. This area is now a nature
preserve referred to as the 'Miracle Mile', and includes a boardwalk
trail that is fully accessible to people with disabilities. Hiking
is allowed but swimming is not. Open dawn to dusk.
From IH35, take
TX 36 north to FM 2305, then to the north side of the dam on FM 2271.
Claiming 172 acres on Lake Belton, this park is the best for swimming.
A sandy beach is roped off, and there are open, grassy areas with
shade. Several peninsulas create protected swimming areas. A bathhouse
with showers is nearby. Boat rentals are available, as well as skin
diving and Scuba equipment. Camping facilities dot the park. Private
and group picnic areas have a great view of the lake. Pets are okay
on leashes. There is plenty of parking.
Day use fee
LAKE BELTON
Reservoir Manager
99 FM 2271
Belton, Texas 76513
(254) 939-1829
Excerpted from Splash
Across Texas, 1999
Copyright Chandra Moira Beal and La Luna Publishing
See also: Drowned
Towns of Bell County
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