lakeside luxury:This is a popular hot weather day trip. Bring your swimsuit from April through October, along with an old pair of sneakers to navigate the rocky Lake Travis beaches.
Within the city limits of Austin you’ll find this picturesque man-made “lake.” Technically speaking, it’s a reservoir and was formed by the construction of the Tom Miller Dam in 1939, which also assists with generating electricity for the city of Austin. Aside from the practicality of Lake Austin and its dam, it offers water-related activities and camping opportunities.
where to go
Fritz Hughes Park. 3100 Fritz Hughes Park Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take RM 620 south 3.7 miles to Low Water Crossing Road (just before Mansfield Dam). Turn left on Low Water Crossing Road and travel 0.2 mile to Fritz Hughes Park Road, then turn left to park entrance. Along with Mary Quinlan and Selma Hughes Parks, this is one of only three access points along the north side of Lake Austin. The small LCRA park is usually frequented by local residents. The park offers picnicking, swimming, and fishing. Open daily. Free admission.
Loop 360 Boat Ramp. 5019 Capital of Texas Hwy. North; (512) 854-7275. From the intersection of Loop 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) and RM 2222, travel south on Loop 360 across the Pennybacker Bridge over Lake Austin. The entrance to the boat ramp is on the east side of Loop 360, directly below the bridge. As its name suggests, this park is primarily used by boaters as a launch onto Lake Austin. You’ll also find areas for fishing and picnicking. Open daily. Free admission.
Mary Quinlan Park. 1601 Quinlan Park Rd. South; (512) 854-7275. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take RM 620 south 2.1 miles to Quinlan Park Road. Turn left onto Quinlan Park Road and travel 5.5 miles to the park entrance. This quiet park has the only public boat ramp for miles along Lake Austin. It is a beautiful place to enjoy the quiet of one of Lake Austin’s narrow passages and to view the bluffs against the water’s emerald depths. Open daily. Free admission.
Mount Bonnell. 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd. A beautiful lookout is located within the Austin city limits. Turn left off RM 2222 onto Mount Bonnell Road, which will take you to the highest point in town, with a panoramic view of the city and the surrounding hills. Visitors must park and walk up some steep steps to the lookout, but the view is well worth the climb. Free admission.
Selma Hughes Park. 11921 Selma Hughes Park Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take RM 620 south 2.1 miles to Quinlan Park Road. Turn right on Quinlan Park Road and travel 4.6 miles to Selma Hughes Road. Turn left on Selma Hughes Road and proceed to park entrance. Along with Fritz Hughes and Mary Quinlan Parks, Selma Hughes Park is one of the few public-access sites along this part of Lake Austin. Here the lake is narrow and quiet, and in the park, visitors are usually local residents. Visitors will find picnicking, swimming, and fishing areas. Free admission.
where to eat
County Line on the Lake. 5204 RM 2222; (512) 346-3664; countyline.com. This is one of the few barbecue restaurants in Texas where you could wear a coat and tie and not look like a city slicker. Enjoy full table service at this excellent restaurant on Lake Austin, ordering from a menu that features brisket, sausage, and ribs. Located right on the shores of Lake Austin with an excellent view, this is a popular summer stop. Open for lunch and dinner daily. $$–$$$.
where to stay
Lake Austin Spa Resort. 1705 S. Quinlan Park Rd.; (800) 847-5637 or (512) 372-7300; lakeaustin.com/spa-resort. This well-known resort caters to guests, with special menus, dietary consultations, and European spa services. The 40-room resort lies on the shores of Lake Austin, a narrow swath of water that begins at the foot of the Hill Country and flows through the western part of the city. The resort, a longtime favorite in the Lone Star State, became a world-class destination spa thanks to the opening of the 25,000-square-foot LakeHouse Spa (available to day visitors as well as to guests). The two-story, Texas-size structure, resembling traditional Hill Country farmhouses with its limestone exterior and screened upstairs porch, houses 20 treatment areas. $$$.
Continue northwest on RM 2222. This winding road is filled with treacherous curves, so take it slow. At the intersection with RM 620, you have two choices: turn west onto RM 620 and continue to Mansfield Dam and the remainder of this trip, or turn east to some county parks and Austin’s best-known outdoor dining spot. This side excursion affords a beautiful drive past some of Austin’s most expensive homes.
where to go
Bob Wentz at Windy Point. 7144 Comanche Trail (1 mile past Hippie Hollow); (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. Mention Windy Point and Austinites think of windsurfing, sailing, or scuba diving. A top spot on Lake Travis for water sports, this LCRA park offers a hiking and biking trail, sand volleyball courts, and a boat ramp for sailboats. Open daily. Fee.
Cypress Creek Park. 13601 Bullick Hollow Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take Bullick Hollow Road west 2 miles. The park entrance is on your left, just before the intersection of Bullick Hollow Road and FM 2769 (Old Anderson Mill Road). A favorite for lake lovers, this day-use LCRA park includes a boat ramp. It is frequented by many campers, boaters, picnickers, and anglers. Open daily and offers unimproved camp sites. Fee.
Hippie Hollow Park. 7000 Comanche Trail (from RM 620, turn right onto Comanche Trail); (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. This is a clothing-optional park, the only one in the Austin area. On summer weekends it is packed with nudists, curious onlookers, and swimmers who want to enjoy a beautiful swimming hole. The parking area is located away from the bathing area. (Nudity is not permitted in the parking lot.) Onlookers outnumber nudists many weekends, but to see the beach (and the swimmers), you must leave your car and walk down the trail to the water’s edge. The swimming area is protected from curious boaters by patrolling Parks Department boats. No children allowed. Day use only. Fee.
Mansfield Dam Park. 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, travel south 4.9 miles. Turn right onto Mansfield Dam Road, just south of Mansfield Dam; the park entrance is on the left. One of the most visited LCRA parks along Lake Travis, Mansfield Dam Park is among the top boat-launching sites on the lake. The park also appeals to campers and picnickers; a primitive area is located nearby. Open daily. Fee.
Pace Bend Park. 2011 N. Pace Bend Rd.; (512) 264-1482; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and TX 71, take TX 71 west 11 miles to RM 2322 (Pace Bend Park Road). Turn right on RM 2322 and travel 4.6 miles to the park entrance. Pace Bend is one of the top parks, not only of the LCRA sites, but also in the entire region. Nine miles of shoreline appeal to swimmers and boaters; horseback riders and hikers also find diversions with a large natural area. Part of the park is managed as a wildlife preserve and can be reached by rugged trails—an excellent destination for wildlife-viewing and bird-watching. Offers 20 improved camp sites. Open daily. Fee.
Sandy Creek Park. 9500 Lime Creek Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take Bullick Hollow Road west 2.5 miles to FM 2769. Turn left onto FM 2769 and travel 4 miles to Lime Creek Road, through the town of Volente. Entrance is on the left. This quiet park is far less visited than many other north Lake Travis sites and is popular with swimmers and nature lovers. Offers unimproved camp sites. Open daily. Fee.
Tom Hughes Park. 12714 Hughes Park Rd.; (512) 854-7275; parks.traviscountytx.gov. From the intersection of RM 620 and RM 2222, take RM 620 south 2.3 miles to Marshall Ford Drive. Turn right onto Marshall Ford Drive and travel 0.2 mile to Park Drive. Turn right and travel 2.8 miles to park entrance. Scuba divers call this park a favorite. The walk to the water’s edge is steep and brushy. Fee.
Volente Beach Waterpark. 16107 FM 2769 in Volente; (512) 258-5110; shoreclubtx.com. This favorite summer hangout offers a pool, giant water slides, a sand beach, motorized water sports, volleyball, and more. There’s also a casual restaurant on-site, and visitors may bring coolers with prepared food and drink (no glass containers or alcohol). Hours vary with season. Fee.
where to eat
The Oasis. 6550 Comanche Trail; (512) 266-2442; oasis-austin.com. Known as “The Sunset Capital of Texas,” this restaurant is famous for its open decks overlooking Lake Travis. On weekends it becomes a popular stop after a day of boating or swimming. The lake views and the surrounding hills provide a lovely backdrop for a sunset meal at this unusual restaurant. Open daily for lunch and dinner. $–$$.
At the intersection of RM 2222 and RM 620, turn right and continue west on RM 620 across Mansfield Dam to the village of Lakeway and the Lakeway Resort and Conference Center. This 8,000-person resort community boasts recreational facilities and accommodations for golf and tennis buffs. You can’t miss it; just look for the water tower shaped and painted like a golf ball.
where to go
The Hills of Lakeway. 26 Club Estates Pkwy.; (512) 261-7200; clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-Hills-of-Lakeway. The Live Oak and the Yaupon 18-hole courses are open to members. Golf packages in conjunction with the Lakeway Resort and Spa also are available. Fee.
Students of the Academy of Golf Dynamics (45 Club Estates Pkwy.; 800-879-2008; golfdynamics.com) hone their skills on three full-length holes, a driving range, and a putting green on a dedicated practice course designed by Jack Nicklaus. The facility also includes 72 holes of competitive golf, with two courses that are open for students to play after their daily lessons. Call for class information; reservations required. Closed Mon. Fee.
World of Tennis Sports Complex. 26 Club Estates Pkwy.; (512) 261-7200; clubcorp.com/Clubs/The-Hills-of-Lakeway/Amenities/Tennis. The World of Tennis has 16 world-class outdoor courts, including a stadium court as well as 2 indoor, climate-controlled courts. Tennis packages in conjunction with the Lakeway Resort and Spa are available. Open daily. Fee.
where to stay
Lakeway Resort and Spa. 101 Lakeway Dr.; (800) LAKEWAY or (512) 261-6600; lakewayresortandspa.com. Adjacent to the marina on Lake Travis, this large resort has rooms featuring elegant decor and a lake view. Some accommodations include fireplaces. A lobby bar serves evening cocktails, and Masterson’s Steakhouse offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. An adjacent marble-topped bar features views of the lake. $$$.