Always Something To Do: A Look at Lake Travis, TX

Lake Travis, Texas aerial view

You may have heard the phrase “Keep Austin Weird.” Originally a slogan used to promote local businesses in the city, it now serves as a mantra proclaiming Austin’s eclectic, artsy feel.  If you’re looking for this same lively vibe that’s unique to Austin but you’re also searching for a little more nature and open space than a city offers, look no further than Lake Travis.

Just 30 minutes outside the city of Austin, you’ll find a large lake with plenty of activities, restaurants, breweries, and fun events. With an abundance of things to do, Lake Travis is Texas’s most visited freshwater lake for a reason. Check out the highlights of this remarkable southern lake — and maybe find your dream lake house along the way. 

The History

Lake Travis is part of a series of Highland Lakes that extend from Colorado to Central Texas. These man-made lakes, along with the Mansfield Dam, were created by the Lower Colorado River Authority to control flooding. In 1958, President Lyndon Johnson called the Colorado River his “proudest accomplishment,” viewing this series of lakes as an integral part of the national economy and an ideal way to eliminate waste. Though Lake Travis is one of many lakes on the massive Colorado River, it’s certainly not an insignificant one. Stretching 63.75 miles, Lake Travis is enormous. Surrounding the lake, there’s plenty of open space with several communities and villages. Today, the area continues to thrive as a vacation destination and a growing community of residents.

Lakeside Attractions

Man fishing on a boat

Ranging from classic lake excursions such as fishing and boating to more unique pursuits like ziplining and scuba diving, there’s truly no shortage of exciting outdoor activities on Lake Travis. As the largest body of water in the area, Lake Travis is a perfect location for boating or relaxing on a yacht. You may even choose to anchor down at Devil’s Cove, famously known across both the state and the country as the “party cove.” While you’re out on the water, take advantage of the abundance of fishing opportunities in Lake Travis. You’re likely to have the most luck reeling in a sunfish, bass, or catfish.

If you’re looking for a place to take your dog, have a picnic, or toss the frisbee, check out one of Lake Travis’s many parks. In particular, Windy Point Park is known for its diving opportunities where you can find underwater canyons and discover interesting remains from shipwrecks. If you’re looking for remnants of Austin’s edgy flare, there’s also Hippie Hollow Park, the only clothing-optional public park in Texas. Regardless of how you spend your time outdoors, there’s always something to do on Lake Travis.

What to Do

Devil's Cove, Lake Travis Texas

After a long day of boating, fishing, and exploring, you’ll likely be on the lookout for a cold beer and a steak right off the grill. Luckily, Lake Travis is known for its craft breweries such as Hops & Thyme and Iron Wolf Ranch and Distillery. Oasis Texas Brewing Company is one of the most popular, offering live music, a dog-friendly patio, and scenic views of the water. Of course, Lake Travis is also known for its restaurants. Check out Beachside Billy’s, an upscale steak restaurant complete with a pool for kids and an adult pool with a tiki bar. For a more chill, lakeside feel, there’s Emerald Point Bar and Grill where local musicians frequently play on their outdoor stage. After dinner and drinks, there’s plenty of fun, often artsy, events that are worth seeing around Lake Travis. From February 27th to March 1st, the Lake Travis Film Festival will attract filmmakers from around the world to show their latest projects. If you won’t be in town during those dates, there’s always other performances going on, such as this Comedy Showcase on February 1st.

Like the neighboring town of Austin, Lake Travis boasts an eclectic range of activities, delicious restaurants, and people who choose to make this special lake their home. There’s something for everyone here! 

To learn more about Lake Travis, click HERE.

Lake Life in the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX Area

Sunset Bay, White Rock Lake, Dallas Texas

The Dallas-Fort Worth region often seems like an endless sea of asphalt, concrete and steel. Buildings and boulevards dominate the landscape, and it can feel as though lake life is hundreds of miles away.

Actually, it takes less than a 30-minute drive from the DFW metroplex to reach many of the lakes surrounding the city. This is where hustle and bustle are replaced by peace and quiet.

“It’s amazing that you can be so close to the metro area, but it feels like you’re out in the middle of wilderness,” says William Ford, Parks and Recreation Director for the city of Cedar Hill, which is located approximately 15 miles from downtown Dallas and is home to 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake. “It’s one of the reasons this area is so appealing to people.”

There are approximately 50 major lakes and reservoirs within 100 miles of Dallas-Fort Worth. Here is a quick look at five of the closer ones:

Eagle Mountain Lake

Eagle mountain lake home shoreline Dallas Fort Worth

Located 15 miles outside Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain Lake has something for nearly all tastes. Nature lovers can enjoy the hiking trails that lead to numerous hills and bluffs, offering picturesque views of the lake. All manner of watersports are available, and the 8,700-acre lake is regularly stocked with bass and catfish for anglers. There is even a designated party cove for boaters who prefer their fun a little more on the boisterous side.

Lake Grapevine

Lake grapevine person wakeboarding Dallas Fort Worth area
Photo courtesy of Tour Texas.

In addition to such regular water activities as boating and fishing, Lake Grapevine is home to the largest floating aqua park in Texas. Spread out over 25,000 square feet, Altitude H2O offers floating trampolines, slides and an obstacle course. There are also 40 miles of paved and natural trails around the 7,200-acre lake, for those seeking a relaxed lake experience.

Joe Pool Lake

Serene sunrise over Joe Pool Lake
Photo courtesy of Mastodon.

Joe Pool Lake borders four different parks, including the popular Cedar Hill State Park. As a result, there are numerous boat ramps, beaches, fishing areas, campsites and picnic shelters surrounding the lake. Joe Pool also is near Dogwood Canyon, a 250-acre forested ravine that is a favorite for birdwatchers. Dogwood’s 2 miles of hiking trails lead to some of the highest elevations in Dallas County, providing beautiful views of the lake.

Lake Lavon

Lake Lavon view
Photo courtesy of AgriLife Today.

With 121 miles of shoreline along its 21,400 acres, Lake Lavon lives up to the reputation of everything being bigger in Texas. Because of its size, there are amenities galore around the lake. These include 16 parks, 244 picnic sites, 19 boat ramps, five beaches and six group shelters for large picnics. There also are hiking / biking trails in the area, as well as a 9-mile equestrian trail. And the lake itself is a prolific fishing hole for sunfish, crappie and catfish.

White Rock Lake

White Rock Lake during autumn with leaves changing colors Dallas Fort Worth
Photo courtesy of White Rock Lake.

It doesn’t get much closer to the metroplex than this, as White Rock Lake is located just 5 miles from downtown Dallas. Originally used as a water source for the city, this 1,015-acre lake has nearly 10 miles of shoreline trails as well as an official Audubon Society bird-watching area. There are fishing opportunities for bass, catfish and sunfish, and boating activities are available through both the White Rock Boat Club and the 80-year-old Corinthian Sailing Club.

So despite initial appearances, there is much more to the Dallas-Fort Worth area than the glass and steel that originally meets the eye.

“There are plenty of natural resources in this area,” Ford says. “With all the natural beauty that we have around here, you can get out and enjoy it whether you’re a walker, biker, jogger, boater, whatever.”

Click here to to learn more about lake life in Texas.