Lake Travis
About Lake Travis
Lake Travis is a large Highland Lakes reservoir on the Colorado River in the Texas Hill Country, stretching roughly 63–64 miles from Mansfield Dam near Austin upstream toward Marble Falls. The lake lies primarily in Travis County with its upper reaches in Burnet County, and serves as the main drinking water reservoir for the Austin metro area. With over 270 miles of shoreline, steep limestone bluffs, and scenic coves, it is one of Texas' most visited freshwater lakes.
Hydrologically, Lake Travis is known for its clear to slightly off-color water, significant depth, and natural water-level fluctuations driven by rainfall and basin inflows. At full pool the lake covers about 18,929 acres with deep sections near Mansfield Dam exceeding 200 feet. The reservoir supports diverse aquatic habitat and offers excellent recreation opportunities including boating, fishing, scuba diving, and lakeside camping.
Key Features
Quick facts (at-a-glance)
- Location: Northwest of Austin in Travis & Burnet Counties, Texas
- Surface Area: 18,929 acres
- Maximum Depth: ~210 ft (near Mansfield Dam)
- Shoreline Length: 271 miles
- Elevation: 681 ft (full pool)
- Type: Colorado River reservoir (Highland Lakes chain)
- Fish Species: Largemouth Bass, Guadalupe Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass, Crappie, Catfish
- Average Summer Temp: 80–86°F water
- Public Access: Multiple Travis County parks & public ramps
- Nearby Attractions: Austin, Balcones Canyonlands, The Oasis, Lakeway
Lake Travis Vacation Homes For Rent
What you can do there
Swimming: Swim at designated coves and parks including Mansfield Dam Park, Bob Wentz Park, and lakeside resort areas with clear water and picnic access.
Boating & Sailing: Lake Travis is one of Texas’ top boating lakes with wide basins, deep channels, and numerous marinas supporting sailing, cruising, and watersports.
Water Sports: The lake supports wakeboarding, wakesurfing, tubing, water skiing, and jet skiing with rental services available at major marinas.
Fishing: Excellent fishing for Largemouth and Guadalupe Bass, Striped Bass, Crappie, and Catfish thanks to rocky structure and deep-water habitat.
Scuba Diving: Windy Point and Mansfield Dam dive parks offer deep, clear water with underwater structures and training platforms.
Camping & Picnicking: Pace Bend Park offers lakeside camping with views of bluffs and coves, while day-use parks feature shaded picnic areas and shoreline access.
Hiking & Wildlife: Enjoy Hill Country scenery, bluff overlooks, trails, and wildlife viewing around county parks and nearby Balcones Canyonlands NWR.
Dining & Sunsets: Lakeside restaurants such as The Oasis offer iconic sunset views overlooking the main basin of Lake Travis.
Access, marinas & ramps
Boat Launch at Mansfield Dam Park: A major multi-lane deep-water launch with parking and direct access to the lower basin.
Public Parks: Major access sites include Pace Bend, Hippie Hollow, Bob Wentz Park, and Mansfield Dam Park, offering swimming, picnicking, sailing, and diving.
South Shore Marinas: Lakeway Marina and Emerald Point offer fuel, slips, rentals, and full-service marina facilities.
North Shore Marinas: Northshore Marina and Briarcliff Marina provide deep-water floating docks, slips, and rental services.
Road Access: Reached via RM 620, FM 1431, and TX-71, with gated park entries and designated parking areas.
Picnic & Swim Areas: Bob Wentz Park features shoreline picnic spots, pavilions, restrooms, and swim access.
Private Ramps: Many communities and resorts maintain private docks and ramps for residents and members.
Rental Services: Marinas and outfitters rent pontoons, jet skis, kayaks, SUPs, party barges, and fishing charters.
Safety & regulations
- Boating Laws: Follow Texas boating regulations and required safety gear.
- No-Wake Zones: Observe posted no-wake buoys near marinas and coves.
- Water Levels: Lake level fluctuates; check conditions before launching.
- Swimming Safety: No lifeguards — swim near shore and watch boat traffic.
- Fishing Regulations: Texas fishing license required; size/bag limits apply.
- Invasive Species: Use Clean, Drain, Dry practices when moving boats.
- Hippie Hollow: Clothing-optional; restricted to ages 18+.
- Closures: LCRA may restrict use during floods or severe weather.
- Cliff Safety: Use caution near bluffs; avoid unsafe jumping/diving.
Gallery
Nearby highlights & suggested day trips
- Downtown Austin: Live music, dining, and cultural attractions within a short drive.
- Pace Bend Park: Scenic coves, bluffs, swimming, hiking, and campsites.
- Hippie Hollow Park: Adults-only, clothing-optional lakeside park with rocky shoreline.
- Bob Wentz Park: Popular sailing and swimming destination with picnic facilities.
- Windy Point Park: Scuba-friendly site offering diving platforms and campsites.
- The Oasis: Iconic multi-level restaurant complex with panoramic sunset views.
- Lake Travis Zipline Adventures: Hill Country zipline tours with lake views.
- Balcones Canyonlands NWR: Hiking trails, lookouts, and wildlife habitat nearby.
- Lakeway & Lago Vista: Lakeside communities offering marinas, dining, and recreation.
- Marble Falls: Upstream Highland Lakes town with wineries, dining, and scenic drives.
Events & community
Local Organizations: LCRA, Travis County Parks, and community groups support lake management, safety initiatives, and conservation programs.
Recreation Culture: Annual fishing events, holiday boat parades, marina festivals, and lakeside gatherings highlight Lake Travis’ active recreation community.
Lake Location
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