Posted this in another spot, but thought may get a quicker response.

My parents just got their first full out boat- 16.5 ft bass boat with 115 hp outboard. Theyve always had a little 14 ft Gamefisher with a small outboard that they could take on/off. So they want to go to Canyon tomorrow but want to know an easy ramp that hopefully wont have too much traffic. They plan to get their at first light. Anyone have a rec at which ramp to use.

Potters creek off 306 just left of fishermans corner bait and tackle store

My place is on the south side of the lake so I use Ramp 6. Also would suggest Ramp 4. Ramp 6 is large and can accomodate two boats launching at the same time. Also large parking lot making it good if not use to backing a big rig down a ramp. My experience at this ramp is that most of the time those who use it are courteous and helpful. Also not too steep. It was one that was still open when the lake was really low a while back.
Ramp 4 is good one too but I prefer 6.
I don't use any ramps on the north side of the lake so maybe someone can offer suggestions based on experience.

Map of ramps located here:
http://www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/canyon/Recreation/Boating/Boatramps.asp

Was ther last week-end. Little Jacobs creek #17. Not steep. We were there at daylight. No other boats

Unless I am numerically confused, ramp #4 would be the first ramp in Comal Park. It's a good place to put in, because most boaters don't like to pay the fee ($4.00, I believe.) If your folks have a Golden Age pass, they can get an annual permit for only $15.00. Only problem, they won't let you enter before 7:00 am. Ramp # 6 would be Canyon Lake Hills #1, on the west side of Tom Creek? Excellent free ramp, but no floating dock. I've been using the Turkey Creek free ramp, which has recently been reconfigured. Two broad lanes, and you won't "burn rubber" pulling out now. On the North side, the closest ramp would be # 15, the Little Jacobs Creek ramp. Ample parking, but no floating dock. There's a second Jacob's Creek ramp, inside the park (forget the official designation.) You have to feed $5.00 into a machine to get in, and you can't get in before 7:00 am. Lots of parking, and two floating docks for two ramps. This is the only ramp I know of that provides decent (as opposed to primitive) restroom facilities. I buy a $50 annual permit for just that reason.

Try boat ramp 17 which is little jacobs. you can pull up to a concrete walkway and if not you can beach your boat. boat ramp 6 is nice but not many places to beach your boat. If you can find it there is a ramp in the village west area I dont know what number it is but it is a nice one. You have to go through a neighborhood. It has a courtesy dock and it's not steep.

Thanks for all the responses. I'll send the info their way.

If you go to the free county ramps. The only one with a
floating dock is the recently re-done ramp #2 at Turkey Cove.
The Corp Parks have floating docks, but you have to pay.
If you go very much,you can get a yearly pass for $30.00
straight out.I'm not sure about the Golden Pass anymore.
The county ramps only have porter pottie's. Go early to any
of them to avoid the crowd.It will be bussey when you come
out later during the day.

Chas, I got an annual pass just the other day for $15, but had to show my Golden Age card. It isn't good for much, on Canyon, except for the Comal Park ramps (it won't get you into the camping area ramps.) It will be good for Crane's Mill Park, if and when it ever reopens. There are a couple of free ramps with floating docks on the north side: Potter's Creek and the new ramp at the end of N. Crane's Mill Road.

Well, there's Comal County ramp #1, at Holiday Cove, but it's swarming with yo-yos on weekends.

On the north side, there are free ramps at Little jacobs, Potters Creek and Cranes Mill. Personally i think cranes mill is the nicest ramp. Ample parking. Circle drive. No steep. Nice big floating dock, close to the river. 24 hours, and you pay nothing.

crane's mill still closed. last week corps office said they hope to have it open by october. we will see.

Might be a good idea to have a couple of boat bumpers if you plan on tying up to one of the docks at North Cranes Mill or Potters Creek, with a stiff southerly breeze. Little Jacobs Creek seems to be more protected. BTW, I don't know that I would attempt to tie up to that concrete pier there. There are underwater pipes sticking out of it with very jagged edges. Good gravel area beside the ramp to beach the boat, though.

Cranes Mill on the north side of the lake, down cranes mill road, not the park. Used it day before yesterday.

+1 on Jacobs Creek and most launches will have a weekend crowd, but there are enough ramps around the lake that if you launch real early or wait until after the morning rush hour, none of them are really all that bad as far as crowds.

Canyon is just a rocky shorelined lake, and it's rare to find a spot with sand or small gravel, without any big rocks to beach a boat, and as the lake level drops which it is now, even those rare spots are gone, so best bet is to have boat bumpers and tie up to the docks if possible.