WESTCLIFF

OVERVIEW Westcliff Park is a day-use area and campground located on the southwestern shore of Belton Lake. The lake provides some of the best fishing and boating in Central Texas in addition to amenities such as a swimming beach, boat ramp, playground and picnic areas for RVs and tents, including four tent-only primitive sites. 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. It is a long, narrow and winding lake with many curves and coves perfect for fishing. RECREATION With 136 miles of shoreline, Belton Lake offers a wide variety of recreation activities. Westcliff Park has a nice two-lane boat ramp and swimming beach, and a playground for children. The lake is also a popular fishing spot for hybrid striped bass, largemouth bass, white bass, catfish and sunfish. FACILITIES The campground has 31 sites, most of which have electric hookups for RVs and tents; Four are primitive tent-only sites without hookups. All of the sites have a covered picnic table, grill and lantern pole. The facility also provides showers. The swim beach, restrooms, and boat ramp are available for both campers and day-users. NATURAL FEATURES The campground is mostly open with a few trees providing shade at picnic areas and at some of the campsites. Westcliff is on a bluff overlooking the lake; while many of the campsites are directly on the shoreline, all campsites have a view of the lake. The lake area is 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. A man-made wetland on the opposite side of the lake was constructed to provide an additional 25 acres of wildlife habitat in the lake area. 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.