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
Captained 25' Pontoon Boat Rental on Lake Travis
Cruise, swim, or visit Party Cove with a captain and onboard sound system
Sunset Helicopter Tour Over Austin & Lake Travis
See Austin’s skyline at sunset on a 50-mile helicopter flight
Lake Travis Pontoon Rental with Slide & Captain
Cruise Lake Travis with a captain on a double-decker tritoon with a built-in slide
Private Lake Travis & Downtown Austin Helicopter Tour
See Hill Country lakes and Austin landmarks from the sky
Double-Decker Party Boat with Water Slide on Lake Travis
Rent a 32-foot double-decker tritoon on Lake Travis with a captain and water slide
Captained Pontoon Boat with Slide on Lake Travis
Cruise, swim, and slide on Lake Travis with a local captain
Captained Party Barge Charter with Slide in Austin
Captain-led Lake Austin barge time with a slide, float, and Bluetooth sound
Self-Captained Boat Rental on Lake Travis or Lake Austin
Take the Helm on Lake Austin or Lake Travis
Private Wake Surf Boat Rental on Lake Travis
Make the lake your own with a customized mix of surfing, swimming, and cruising
60-Minute Austin Air Tour
Private Commander flight with optional gourmet and co-pilot upgrades
Private Wake Surf Boat Rental on Lake Travis
Make your lake day a mix of watersports and laid-back cruising
Sunset Scenic Flight Over Austin & Texas Hill Country
Private 60-minute Cessna 172 sunset flight for 2–3 people over Austin and Hill Country
Lake Travis Double-Decker Pontoon Charter
Cruise, swim, and relax with a captain on Lake Travis
Double Decker Boat Rental with Waterslide on Lake Travis
Take the helm for a lake day with your own waterslide
Private Captained Party Barge Charter on Lake Travis
Slide, float, and play your own music on a private lake day
Private Lake Travis Party Bus Shuttle from Austin
Book a private shuttle for your Austin or Lake Travis day
Lake Travis Double-Decker Party Boat Charter
Two decks, a waterslide, and room to celebrate on Lake Travis
Lake Travis 38' Yacht Charter
Cruise Lake Travis with a captain, cabin comfort, and room to swim
Lake Travis 20-Passenger Pontoon Charter
Captain-led Lake Travis pontoon time with a slide, float, and Bluetooth sound
Double-Decker Pontoon Sunset Cruise on Lake Travis
Enjoy Lake Travis at sunset with a private captain at the helm
Private Full-Day Wake Surf Boat Charter on Lake Travis
Give yourself a full lake day for wake surfing
Sunset Air Tour Over Austin
Plan a private romantic flight tailored around your special occasion
Full-Day Private Wake Surf Boat Charter on Lake Travis
Spend your lake day surfing and relaxing aboard a private Pavati boat
Austin Skyline & Hill Country Lakes Airplane Tour
Take flight over Central Texas while helping a young person discover aviation