Where can you pose for a picture inside the gaping jaws of a massive shark, dive on a massive military C-140 transport jet, or visit an underwater junkyard full of cars, trucks, and motorcycles deployed just for our enjoyment? Scuba parks are pretty much the only places where you can see a lot of attractions all at once, work on your skills, and enjoy diving close to the comforts of home. Texas is home to a few of these parks - here are three favorites you're sure to enjoy.
Clear Springs Scuba Park
A 22 acre spring fed lake which was once a quarry, Clear Springs Scuba Park is located less than an hour from Dallas, attracting thousands of divers annually. What began as a simple park with a few docks and training platforms has expanded explosively into one of the best dive sites in Texas. Here, you'll find a giant metal shark you can pose with, jaws gaping wide so you can climb in for a photo or two; a 1944 Chrysler cabin cruiser which can be penetrated; a grain silo sitting at a depth of 63 feet, and other sunken attractions as well as steep walls where beds of hydrilla plants provide the perfect backdrop for all the catfish, crappie, bass, and bluegill that live in the lake; freshwater eels and turtles are found here as well. Spearguns and other fishing gear are strictly prohibited.
Topside amenities at the site include a dive center with some tanks and gear for rent, plus air fills, along with drysuit rentals for those qualified dry suit divers who don't have their own - it is cold at the bottom. There is also a cafe, and restrooms and showers are available as well.
Visibility in the quarry, which once produced white limestone, is about 40 feet, and there is a fee to dive. Locals usually purchase discount cards or season passes, and all divers must provide c-cards and sign waivers.
Athens Scuba Park
The site of an old clay pit which once provided white clay for a local brick factory, Athens Scuba Park was a popular swimming hole before it was transformed into a scuba park. The seven acre lake is remarkably clear, and features a number of sunken attractions including boats, trucks, cars, a jet ski, and an airplane, plus the star of the show, a C-140 Jetstar military transport jet. It rests on the bottom, at a depth of 27 feet, and the tip of its tail reaches to within 8 feet of the surface. As if this weren't enough, there are also training platforms and docks for easy entry and exit.
Topside amenities include a dive shop with air fills, an RV park and tent campsites, a rinse rack for gear, showers, restrooms, and change rooms. There are horseshoe pits and volleyball, plus there are always contests and other fun activities. No alcohol is permitted on site.
Canyon Lake North Park
A less developed site with sunken cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and even a sunken forest, Canyon Lake North Park is nevertheless a great place to dive. With interesting rock formations, it holds the distinction of being open for diving 24 hours a day, and fees are lower here than they are at most other scuba parks. In addition, maximum depth is a deep 125 feet; the tradeoff is that visibility is generally poor at 5-10 feet. The reservoir is home to several bass species as well as to catfish and other freshwater aquatics, and there are a few shops nearby that offer air fills and gear rentals as well as sales.
With plenty to choose from and lots to see at each site, it's no surprise that these are some of the best dive sites Texas has to offer. Come early in the day for the best visibility and less traffic, and visit on a weekday if you can, but no matter when you come, you'll find plenty of great surprises waiting.