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Access Site TX

Leona Park

Leon River - Belton Lake Leon RIver

Source: texas_parks_and_wildlife_department Updated 1 year ago

City: TX
County: Bell
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 31.22024742, -97.46771198
Air Temp: --
Location
Nearby Gauge Conditions
About This Access Site
Leona Park offers a **free, 24-hour boat ramp providing access to the Leon River and the upper end of Belton Lake**. This USACE-operated facility features a two-lane concrete ramp, parking area, courtesy dock, and restroom facilities. The ramp is open year-round with no fees, making it a convenient launch point for kayakers and canoeists exploring the Leon River channel and upper lake waters.

**Directions:** From I-35 in Temple, take Highway 36 northwest toward Belton. Watch for the park turnoff sign on the left side of the road as you cross the lake. The site is located uplake on the east shore of Belton Lake, providing access to calmer upper-lake paddling as well as the Leon River channel.

This is an excellent access point for day-use paddlers seeking reliable facilities and extended paddling hours without reservation requirements or day-use fees.
Federal Facility Information
254-986-1579 Free Access Reservations Available

Overview
Winkler Park is a small, primitive campground on the northern shore of Belton Lake in Central Texas. This park does not have electricity, but does have water hookups at each site, paved back-in sites, and a central water bourne restroom with flush toilets, sinks, and showers. There are 14 sites available for RVs and tents and a day use area. Truly sink into nature in the peaceful park...

Overview
Winkler Park is a small, primitive campground on the northern shore of Belton Lake in Central Texas. This park does not have electricity, but does have water hookups at each site, paved back-in sites, and a central water bourne restroom with flush toilets, sinks, and showers. There are 14 sites available for RVs and tents and a day use area. Truly sink into nature in the peaceful park full of wildlife and beautiful sunset/sunrise views! 
This park is seasonal, and will close Nov 1st - February 28th.Belton Lake was created by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with the construction of Belton Dam in 1954. The 12,300-acre lake is located on the Leon River, just upstream of the confluence of the Leon River and the Little River. Belton Lake is a long, narrow and winding lake with many curves and coves, providing some of the best camping, fishing, and boating in Central Texas.
Recreation
With 136 miles of shoreline, Belton Lake offers a wide variety of recreation activities. Winkler Park is most popular for it's close proximity to the shoreline for campers and fishermen alike and getting back to rustic style camping. The lake is also a popular fishing spot for hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and sunfish.  Winkler Park is nestled against the White Flint Wildlife Management Area, which boasts great opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing and hunting. A short way down the road, campers can visit White Flint Park, which has a day use area that provides a multi-lane boat ramp and courtesy dock.
White-tailed deer, hawks, great blue herons, ducks, geese, many species of songbirds, bobwhite quail, Rio Grande turkey, and even an occasional bald eagle visit the lake area, yielding year-round opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts! 
Facilities
Facilities:
On-Site Park Hosts/Maintenance Volunteers
14 Campsites (Water ONLY)
1 Water Bourme Restrooms Facility (Flush toilets, sinks, and showers)
Day use areaFaciilities Description:Winkler is a beautiful, rural and quaint campground with 14 primitive, sunny sites. Each site has water and a covered picnic table with a grill and fire ring. The park also provides water bourne restrooms with sinks, showers, and flush toilets.
Natural Features
The campground is fairly isolated on the lake and tucked into the mouth of the Leon River. All sites are lakefront and provide a view of the water/lake. Though the campsites themselves are not shaded, the perimeter of the facility and parts of the shoreline are forested. The lake area is a habitat for deer, wild turkey and water birds such as Great blue herons, ducks, geese, many species of songbirds and even an occasional bald eagle. 

Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (254) 742-3050.
Nearby Attractions
Belton Lake is located adjacent to the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
The mural painted on the spillway wall of Belton Dam depicts the history of the Bell County area.Charges & Cancellations
Changes and cancellations are subject to a $10.00 administrative fee. Refund requests are processed through recreation.gov website or app.

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Nearby Recreation Areas
Belton Lake Located within
Stillhouse Hollow Lake Located within
Nearby Boat Facilities
Cedar Ridge Park Boat Ramp On-site
White Flint Park Boat Ramp On-site