Things to do nearLake Travis
Lake Travis is a sprawling reservoir in the Texas Hill Country outside Austin, celebrated for its clear blue water, dramatic limestone cliffs, and lively waterfront scene.
Lake Travis was formed in the late 1930s when Mansfield Dam was completed across the Colorado River, creating a reservoir that stretches roughly sixty miles through the limestone canyons of the Texas Hill Country. The dam was built by the Lower Colorado River Authority to provide flood control and a reliable water supply for Central Texas, and the resulting lake quickly became one of the most visited recreational destinations in the state.
On the water, visitors can swim, sail, wakeboard, and fish for largemouth bass, striped bass, and catfish. The lake's depth, which can exceed two hundred feet near the dam, keeps the water notably clearer than many Texas reservoirs. Coves tucked between the bluffs offer sheltered anchorages where families spend entire afternoons swimming off the back of rented boats. Paddlers favor the quieter upper reaches of the lake, where development thins and the shoreline returns to cedar and live oak scrub.
The communities along Lake Travis, including Lago Vista, Lakeway, and the area around Volente, have developed a relaxed waterfront dining and entertainment culture over the decades. Open-air restaurants and bars line portions of the shore, many with docks where boaters tie up directly for a meal. Live music, a Texas staple, drifts across the water on weekend evenings at several lakeside venues.
Lake Travis carries a genuine sense of place rooted in the Hill Country landscape, and its combination of natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and easygoing local character makes it a destination well worth the short drive from Austin.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Lake Travis
Visit during late spring or early fall when temperatures are warm but the summer holiday crowds have thinned, giving you more room on the water and at the boat ramps.
Try renting a pontoon or party barge for the day, as they offer a relaxed, stable way to explore the lake's many secluded coves and swim spots.
Bring water shoes, as many of the rocky limestone entry points along the shoreline can be slippery and uneven underfoot.
Arrive at Hippie Hollow Park early on weekends, since parking fills quickly and the park has a strict capacity limit during peak season.
Watch for sudden afternoon thunderstorms common in the Hill Country from spring through summer, and head to shore well before any dark clouds build to the west.
Top tours & experiences near Lake Travis
Double-Decker Pontoon Rental with Captain on Lake Travis
Rent a 2020 double-decker pontoon on Lake Travis with a captain
12-Mile Decker Lake Helicopter Tour Near Austin
Soar over Decker Lake on a quick 12-mile helicopter ride
Cruise Lake Travis on a Double-Decker Pontoon Slide
Rent a 25-foot double-decker pontoon with slide and captain on Lake Travis
Captained Party Barge with Waterslide on Lake Travis
A floating party setup with room to spread out
Private Party Boat Charter on Lake Travis With Slide
Private double-deck party boat for up to 20 with slide and sound system
Private Double-Decker Party Boat with Slide on Lake Travis
Enjoy your own lake party while a licensed captain handles the boat
Cruise Lake Travis on a Captained Pontoon Boat
Cruise Lake Travis with a local captain on a 12-passenger pontoon
Lake Travis Double Decker Party Boat with Slide & Captain
Celebrate on a double-decker boat with captain, slide, and stereo for up to 16 guests
Learn Wakesurfing on Lake Travis With a Champion
Progress from first ride to tricks in a Lake Travis wakesurf lesson
Lake Travis Double-Decker Pontoon Charter
Explore Lake Travis from a rooftop deck with a water slide
Private Half-Day Wake Surf Boat Charter on Lake Austin
Balance wake surfing and laid-back time on the water aboard a private Pavati boat
Cruise Lake Travis on a Friday Night Music Tour
Ride a captained pontoon to Shack 512 and Beachside Billy’s on Friday night
Self-Captained Boat Rental on Lake Austin or Lake Travis
Captain your own boat on Lake Austin or Lake Travis for up to 8 people
Austin Skyline Night Helicopter Tour
See Austin’s skyline lit up on a 32-mile night helicopter flight
32' Double-Decker Party Boat with Slide on Lake Travis
Rent a 32 ft double-decker tritoon on Lake Travis with a waterslide
Captained Wakesurf & Wakeboard Boat Charter on Lake Travis
Build your wakeboarding or wakesurfing skills with tips from your captain
4-Hour Boat Charter in Austin
Captain-led G23 wakeboarding and wakesurfing on Austin-area lakes
Wakesurf Boat Rental on Lake Austin
Ride an Axis A24 with adjustable wakes, watersports gear, and lessons included
Cruise Lake Travis on a 13-Passenger Pontoon
Charter a 13-passenger pontoon on Lake Travis with a local captain
Lake Travis Double Decker Party Boat with 2 Water Slides
Cruise Lake Travis on a double-decker boat with two water slides and a captain
Double-Decker Party Boat with Water Slide on Lake Travis
Spread out on two decks while your captain handles the cruising
Double-Decker Pontoon Charter on Lake Travis
A captain-led Lake Travis day with room for your group
Private Wake Surf Boat Rental on Lake Austin
Make the lake your own with a customized mix of surfing, swimming, and exploring
Sunrise Guided Cruise on Lake Travis in Austin
Cruise Lake Travis at sunrise with a captain (small group or private)