Category: Lake Conroe News

Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe is inviting Jimmy Buffett fans to keep the party going in memory of the late Trop Rock singer with “Jimmy Buffett Day” Friday. 
Buffett died Sept. 1, 2023 at age 76 from skin cancer. His iconic song “Margaritaville” was the inspiration for tropical-themed resorts across the U.S. and in several countries. The Lake Conroe resort opened in June 2020. 
Here’s what to know about “Jimmy Buffett Day” at Margaritaville Lake Resort and other Labor Day weekend events at the resort:
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Musical tributes for Jimmy Buffett
Special musical tributes are planned for Friday and Saturday night. 
A Jimmy Buffett Musical Tribute by Phillip Lee is set for 6 to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in Palm Court and then again from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. these days in the Boathouse Bar & Lounge.  
”Margaritaville is a global lifestyle brand inspired by the lyrics and lifestyle of singer, songwriter and best-selling author Jimmy Buffett, whose songs evoke a passion for tropical escape and relaxation which is at the center of the Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe-Houston’s vision and purpose; what better way to celebrate and honor Jimmy Buffett’s life and legacy,” said Tom Faust, vice president, sales and marketing at Margaritaville Lake Resort. 
Commemorative “Jimmy Buffett Day” items such as shirts, jackets, sweatshirts, cups, hats and bags will be available for purchase this weekend. 
Partying with a purpose 
To further honor Buffett’s legacy and his heart for service, the resort will donate $1 from each “Jimmy Buffett Day” special drink purchased in a special commemorative cup to Child Advocates of Montgomery County. 
Through the nonprofit, volunteer advocates provide information and assistance to those in the child welfare system, in the juvenile justice system and youth struggling with school attendance or participation. The group recently rebranded from the CASA organization to Child Advocates of Montgomery County. 
Through Labor Day weekend, the resort is offering the “Keep The Party Going” package. Enjoy everything Margaritaville Lake Resort has to offer, including access to the Jolly Mon Water Park and onsite dining at LandShark Bar & Grill, License to Chill Bar & Cafe and Joe Merchant’s Coffee and Provisions.
Book by Friday and a portion of the proceeds from the stay will benefit Child Advocates of Montgomery County. Two special edition commemorative cups are included with each package. 
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More weekend events
The “Magic at Margaritaville” show with magician Harry Mauer in the Paradise Amphitheater is at 8 p.m. Saturday. Mauer is an “Atlantic City Entertainer of the Year Award” nominee and former magician at Houston’s Magic Island. 
A Glow Pool Party at the 5 O’clock Somewhere Pool is also planned for 8 p.m. Saturday. 
Additionally, the resort has Labor Day weekend packages. 
For $299 per night, guests can book any number of days from Friday through Sunday. Plus, add additional dates before or after Labor Day weekend for $179 per night.  

Since its completion in 1973, Lake Conroe has been regarded as a recreational playground of boating, fishing, camping, birdwatching and more for the Houston region. 
The lake covers a 21,000-acre area west of Interstate 45 in Montgomery County with the northern end reaching in to southern Walker County. Within the lake there are several distinctive islands each with its own character and purpose to recreation seekers and wildlife. 
Here’s what to know about the six islands within Lake Conroe:
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Basics of Lake Conroe 
According to a history of the lake from the San Jacinto River Authority, the lake was planned and constructed shortly after a record 7-year drought in the 1950s.
Through a partnership agreement, the river authority partnered with Houston and the Texas Water Development Board in 1968 to jointly construct a water supply reservoir, Lake Conroe, on the West Fork of the San Jacinto River.  
The Lake Conroe dam was completed in January 1973 and it was filled by Oct. 31, 1973, after the area received significant rain throughout the year.
Michael Hallett, a resident of the Harbour Town community on Lake Conroe, said when Lake Conroe filled there were shallow areas off the Seven Coves neighborhood that created Ayers Island and Bird Island, which rose up from the waters on the east side of the lake. 
Ayers Island 
Ayers Island is a well-known 1.5-acre island that can be reached by boat on the lake. There’s shallower swimming spots and several trees for a shady picnic. The island is maintained by the San Jacinto River Authority which mows, weeds and cleans up the island after major events like holiday weekends. 
In 2004, a $50,000 rehabilitation project took place at the island to build a bulkhead along the shoreline to prevent erosion and leveling the terrain to keep the area manageable. Boaters leaving trash on the island was also an issue and greater efforts were made to keep the island clean. 
Glass containers are prohibited on the island. Cruisin Tikis on Lake Conroe offers a three-hour swim cruise on their tiki vessel from Waterpoint Marina on the south end of the lake to Ayers Island. 
Bird Island 
Efforts are currently underway by several Lake Conroe residents to restore Bird Island off of the Seven Coves and Harbour Town neighborhoods. 
The piece of land that rises up from Lake Conroe is a roosting spot for a variety of native and migratory birds such as white “cattle” egrets, black cormorants, gray herons, ducks and the Anhinga, a black bird known more commonly as “water turkeys.” 
The migratory American White Pelican, a bird that is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, also pass through from February to May. 
Hallett and Madi Bullock have launched a project to rehab the island. Hallett estimates the original size of Bird Island was at least 2 acres going back to the 1970s. He believes the island is now less than a quarter of an acre due to winds and erosion. It was three times that size when he moved in 17 years ago. 
They have launched the Bird Island Rescue website and are working with local agencies and elected officials on a plan for Bird Island’s future. 
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Bentwater islands 
The Bentwater community on Lake Conroe is just south of FM 1097 on the western side of the lake. 
The neighborhood has two islands that extend into the lake — Benthaven and Green Isle Beach. Both islands are attached to the main neighborhood by bridge and both are filled with nearly all waterfront homes. 
Benthaven is the larger of the two islands with approximately 40 to 50 homes on the island. Bruce Sellers, resident of Bentwater and Realtor, said they were both high spots in the lake adjacent to Bentwater when the lake was built in the early 1990s. 
Both are gated communities within Bentwater with their own homeowners groups. The groups own and maintain the bridges and the common areas of the island. 
He said the islands offer exclusive, higher-end homes. When former president Donald Trump was campaigning prior to the 2016 election, he was hosted at one of the homes on Benthaven island. 
Green Isle Beach is the smaller island with 10 homes and a park that juts out into Lake Conroe. 
National forest islands 
On the northern end of the lake, there are two undeveloped and unnamed islands within the Sam Houston National Forest. The islands are south of FM 1375 in Walker County and west of the Cagle Recreation Area. 
According to Mandy Chumley, public affairs specialist with the forest service, the islands are 11 and five acres in size, respectively.
“These islands are both accessible by water and we encourage visitors to recreate responsibly. The shoreline areas have vegetation and shallow waters; we ask that visitors respect the natural environment to ensure these areas remain pristine for future generations,” she said. 

Margaritaville Lake Resort on Lake Conroe has been named one of the top seven resorts in Texas to visit this summer by the travel website Traveling Lifestyle. 
The website describes the resort as “great for all types of travelers, whether you are on a family vacation, romantic retreat, friend’s trip or just looking for fun, the resort is the perfect blend of lake and island attitude.”
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“This recognition highlights our team’s dedication to providing a blend of lake and island vibes for our guests,” said Tom Faust, vice president of sales and marketing for Margaritaville Lake Resort. “We are committed to consistently delivering exceptional experiences and creating unforgettable memories for everyone.” 
The destination that opened in June 2020 offers all-suite accommodations and a variety of amenities, including an 18-hole golf course, the 3.5-acre Jolly Mon Water Park, a private beach, Fins Up Fitness Center, St. Somewhere Spa, watercraft rental, Parrot Island Mini Golf, tennis and pickleball courts and six on-site Margaritaville-inspired restaurants.  
At the start of the summer, Faust said the resort staff were prepared to accommodate up to 1,000 guests a day during the summer. 
See the exclusive offers page for packages for couples, pet lovers, Texas and Louisiana residents, golfers and fishing enthusiasts. 
Also as a part of the summer fun, Atlantic City entertainer and magician Harry Maurer and a rotating series of “Master Magicians” present magic shows Saturday nights at the resort through the end of August. 
The other Houston-area resort on the list is the Marriott Marquis Houston in downtown Houston at 1777 Walker Street adjacent to Discovery Green Park. 
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“Along with their full-service spa and fitness center and six food and beverage outlets the hotel’s Altitude Rooftop & Pool is home to the famous one-of-a-kind Texas-shaped rooftop lazy river,” according to the Traveling Lifestyle description. 
The travel website’s other top Texas resort destinations include Horseshoe Bay Resort on Lake Lyndon B. Johnson in the Texas Hill Country, Margaritaville South Padre Island; JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Gulf Waters Beach Front on the gulf in Port Aransas. 
The Traveling Lifestyle site was launched in 2011 and reports on travel news from around the world. 

More than 1,000 homes are expected to come to Montgomery after a Klein-based developer announced the acquisition of more than 400 acres of land. 
J. Alan Kent of J. Alan Kent Development announced plans for a single family residential community for the city of more than 2,000, in a release by real estate agency Newcor.
The community would sit on 411 acres of land on FM 1097 near Lake Conroe, the release states. 
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“We are very excited to have procured this beautiful and pristine property,” Kent said in a written statement. “Previously owned by a timber company for many years, we feel it is perfectly suited to compliment the well established residential gated and golf course community of Bentwater.” 
While the planned community is expected to bring between 1,000 to 1,200 residential homes, details of amenities, cost and a timeline are not set. It is expected to bring more students zoned to Montgomery ISD, which had more than 10,000 students enrolled for the 2023-24 school year. 
“It could be very easily 12 to 15 months before we actually deliver the first set of lots to (home builders),” said Himanshu Amin, controller for the real estate company, noting the entire project will take about 10 years. 
The homes are expected to come in a variety of sizes, such as 50 to 80 feet lots, Amin said. In addition to the homes, some commercial development projects could be planned.
“We’re going to keep some commercial land ready, so that if there are any vendors or big grocery stores,” he said.
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The development comes as several big projects head to northwest Montgomery County city.
In March, Montgomery City Council began discussing the feasibility for a new H-E-B location. The anticipated grocery store will sit on 32 acres of land off Texas 105, building only on 16 acres of that land, and will also include a gas station and car wash, city documents state. 
Southeast from the city is the Woodforest community, a 3,000-acre master-planned development off of Fish Creek Thoroughfare, which has also seen growth — the latest being plans for a 400-acre park. 
In between Conroe, Magnolia and Montgomery, a 4,000 home development was announced to be built in July 2023. 
Amin said that within the next year, the real estate company should be able to generate interest for the new community.