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
25' Tiki Pontoon Rental on Lake Travis
Cruise Lake Travis on a 25' tiki pontoon with captain for up to 14 guests
Guided Heli Tactical Shooting Flight Near Austin
Take a guided live-fire helicopter flight with safety gear and instruction included
34' Double-Decker Party Boat with Slide on Lake Travis
Rent a 34-foot double-decker pontoon on Lake Travis with a slide and captain
Private 30' Party Boat Charter with Slides on Lake Travis
Enjoy more room to hang out, plus an upper deck with two slides
Charter a Double-Decker Party Boat on Lake Travis
Private double-deck party boat charter on Lake Travis with a slide
Private Lake Austin Sunset Cruise
Cruise Lake Austin with swimming, your playlist, and lakeside views
Captain-Guided Powertoon Charter on Lake Travis
Cruise Lake Austin with a captain, Bluetooth sound, and a lilypad float
Double-Decker Boat Rental on Lake Austin
Gather family and friends for a captain-led Lake Austin outing
Private Captained Surf Boat Charter on Lake Travis
Surf your way with a captain who tailors the day to your group
Lake Travis Double Decker Boat Charter with Water Slides
Slide, swim, and relax on a captain-led Lake Travis pontoon
Private Wake Surf Boat Rental on Lake Austin
Mix wake surfing, cliff jumping, and relaxed cruising on your own lake day
Sunset Cruise on Lake Travis in Austin
Cruise Lake Travis at sunset with an experienced captain
Self-Captained Boat Rental on Lake Travis or Lake Austin
Take the helm for a day on Lake Austin or Lake Travis
Austin Skyline Helicopter Tour from Pflugerville
See Austin’s skyline from the air on a 32-mile helicopter flight
Cruise Lake Travis on a Double-Decker Tritoon & Slide
Rent a double-decker tritoon with captain, upper deck, and water slide on Lake Travis
Captained Lake Travis Boat Charter with Dual Slides
Spread out on the water with an upper deck and two slides
Pro-Guided Bass Fishing Trip on Austin Area Lakes
Build your bass fishing skills with a trip tailored to your goals
Private Captained Party Pontoon on Lake Travis
Bring your party onto the water while an experienced captain takes the helm
13-Passenger Pontoon Rental on Lake Travis
Rent a 13-passenger pontoon on Lake Travis with a lily pad and Bluetooth sound
Lake Travis Double-Decker Party Boat Charter
Cruise Lake Travis on a double-decker boat with an onboard slide
Surf Boat Rental for Cove Floating Near Austin
Leave the watersports behind and unwind in a Lake Travis cove
Double Decker Pontoon Charter with Slide on Lake Travis
Captain-led Lake Travis time with a rooftop deck and waterslide
Private Full-Day Wake Surf Boat Charter on Lake Austin
Make a private Pavati boat your base for a day on the lake
Full-Day Captained Pontoon Boat Charter on Lake Travis
Make room for friends, family, and a relaxed day on the lake