It’s officially lake season! Famous for its rivers and lakes, Austin and the surrounding Texas Hill Country is bisected by its countless waterways. Here’s a quick guide to some fun spots to enjoy the full experience of Austin’s lakes and the fun activities around them.
Loving the Lakes: Lady Bird Lake
Whether hiking or biking the trails, doing stand-up paddle board yoga, or taking a river cruise, you’ll find no shortage of outdoor fun to be had in the heart of beautiful downtown Austin.
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail | In the heart of Austin is the Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake, offering a lush, urban path that meanders along the water’s edge and passes by skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ball fields, and cultural attractions.
Capital Cruises | From an intimate couples’ cruise around the lake to an evening out on a party boat with friends, Capital Cruises offers a variety of recreation opportunities on Lady Bird Lake.
208 Barton Springs Rd | 512.480.9264
Retro Boat Rentals ATX | Cruise Lady Bird Lake in a rare classic boat while enjoying casual outdoor drinks and eats.
74 Trinity St | 512.663.5145
Secret Beach | The perfect place for when you want to take the kids out during the day or grab a group of friends for a campfire at night.
Roy C. Guerrero Colorado River Park | 400 Grove Blvd
Texas Rowing Center | Rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard on Lady Bird Lake. No reservations are necessary, just show up!
1541 W Cesar Chavez Street | 512.467.7799
Waller Creek Boathouse | From eating at Alta’s Café to enjoying kayak and stand-up paddleboard rentals to learning how to row at Austin Rowing Club, Waller Creek Boathouse has something for everyone!
74 Trinity St | 512.831.4922
Alta’s Café | Stop in at this locally owned restaurant after your hike, run, kayak, row, or bike ride to enjoy the lakeside view, specialty coffee, or brunch.
74 Trinity St | 512.499.0470
Arlo Grey | The signature restaurant in the trendy hotel, the LINE, opened by Top Chef winner Kristen Kish offers delicious dishes and sweeping views of Lady Bird Lake.
111 E Cesar Chavez St | 512.478.2991
Cidercade Austin | Located on Riverside, Cidercade Austin has 150+ games, cocktails, pizzas, and a lakeside patio.
600 E Riverside Dr | 512.963.4701
Drainage Ditch Ramp | Suitable only for canoes or small cartop boats, this boat ramp is located across Stephen F. Austin Street from Austin High School.
Festival Beach Boat Ramp | Free, one-lane boat ramp Festival Beach Boat Ramp is a free, one-lane boat ramp boat on Lady Bird Lake in Great Plains, Edwards Plateau.
Holiday Inn Boat Ramp | One-lane boat ramp with a maximum parking capacity of 5 located in Town Lake Metropolitan Park west of I-35.
Loving the Lakes: Lake Austin
Another reservoir created by dams along the Lower Colorado, this lake features motorized boats, several restaurants, and parks offering the perfect place to have a picnic or set up camp.
360 Splash | Hit the water and enjoy a day of lake exploration with either a jet ski, pontoon, or wake boat.
360 Bridge Boat Ramp | 512.636.0917
Emma Long Metropolitan Park | The perfect place when you’re longing to put your toes in the sand, go for a swim, and let the kids splash and picnic.
1600 City Park Rd | 512.974.1831
Float On Boat Rentals | Make some lake memories and cool off with Float On Boat Rentals. The great rates, new boats, and friendly staff make this local company the highest-rated boat rental company in Austin.
5019 Capital of TX Hwy N | 512.436.3505
Lake Austin Spa Resort | Where wellness meets the water! Discover aquatic influences all around during your stay, from floating water meditation and sundown paddle outings to scenic boat cruises and live music lakeside.
1705 S Quinlan Park Rd | 512.372.7300
The Pennybacker Bridge | An iconic symbol of Austin! Be sure to hike the trail up to the picturesque views of the bridge, lake, and hill country.
Capital of Texas Highway
West Lake Beach | A great place to take the fam! Located along Lake Austin, just north of the Lake Austin Dam, West Lake Beach features a roped-off swimming area that gets up to six feet deep!
2509 Westlake Dr | 512.327.9004
Abel’s on The Lake | A prime spot to come for great food and drinks while enjoying the spectacular views of Lake Austin.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd | 512.904.0570
Hula Hut | When a mere view of the lake isn’t going to cut it, head to Hula Hut on Lake Austin and have some Mexican food and cocktails right on the water.
3825 Lake Austin Blvd | 512.476.4852
Mozart’s Coffee Roasters | Beans flame-roasted on-site, plus bakery goods, frequent live music, and amazing patio seating on Lake Austin – what could be better?!
Ski Shores Cafe | The perfect spot for ordering burgers and fries while watching boaters and jet skiers out on Lake Austin from their large deck.
2905 Pearce Rd | 512.394.7511
Emma Long Metropolitan Park | This one-lane concrete ramp is located at Emma Long Park and requires an entrance fee.
1600 City Park Rd | 512.974.1831
Loop 360 Boat Ramp | This three-lane concrete ramp is located directly under the Pennybacker Bridge and requires an entry and boat trailer fee.
5019 Capital of Texas Hwy N
Mary Quinlan Park | This one-lane concrete ramp is located at Mary Quinlan Park and does not require a fee.
1601 Quinlan Rd South | 512.854.7275
Walsh Boat Landing | This two-lane concrete ramp is located in the lower end of the lake off Lake Austin Blvd and does not require a fee.
1600 Scenic Dr | 512.974.6700
Loving the Lakes: Lake Travis
Northwest of downtown, Lake Travis is Austin’s largest lake and a longtime favorite of both locals and visitors.
Aquafly | Fly over Lake Travis like Iron Man with this aquatic extreme sport! Just bring along your sense of adventure and you’ll be hovering in the air and challenging gravity in no time.
1505 Hurst Creek Rd | 512.676.5899
BassMan Austin – Fishing Guide Services | These Lake Travis guided bass fishing trips are family-friendly and a great way to spend the day.
512.394.4348
Bob Wentz Park | Located in the basin area of Lake Travis, this scenic spot is perfect for water sports, swimming, and relaxing on the shores of Lake Travis.
7144 Comanche Trl | 512.854.7275
Lake Travis Zipline Adventures | One of the best ways to enjoy the amazing lake views! This outdoor adventure is fun for people of all ages. They offer five ziplines, the last three being the longest and fastest ziplines in Texas.
14529 Pocohontas Trl | 512.614.1996
Texas Sailing Academy | Experience Lake Travis as you never have before by creating unforgettable memories through captained sails, sailboat rentals, and sailing lessons.
101 Lakeway Dr | 512.261.6193
Volente Beach Water Park | Boasting over 4 acres of Lake Travis waterfront, this boutique waterpark offers four slide attractions, a private beach, two pools, indoor and outdoor dining, bungalows for overnight stays plus so much more.
16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 | 512.258.5110
Beachside Billy’s Bar & Grill | Whether you come by land or by water, Beachside Billy’s provides the perfect spot to enjoy a fabulous meal in a relaxing atmosphere.
16107 Farm to Market Rd 2769 | 512.258.5110
Canyon Grille Rough Hollow | Offering fantastic waterfront food paired with extraordinary views of Lake Travis, breathtaking Hill Country sunsets, and plenty of live music.
103 Yacht Club Cv | 512.261.3444
Captain Pete’s Boathouse | It’s always more fun on the water! This floating restaurant and bar on Lake Travis offers laid-back vibes, a tropical drink menu, and amazing food.
18200 Lakepoint Cv | 512.436.8640
The Oasis on Lake Travis | Enjoy an evening cocktail while taking in the breathtaking view from one of its many decks that overlook Lake Travis.
6550 Comanche Trl | 512.266.2442
Oasis Texas Brewing Company | A beer garden in the sky serving award-winning beers and food from a scratch kitchen 435′ above and overlooking beautiful Lake Travis.
6550 Comanche Trl #301 | 512.284.9407
Sundancer Grill | This premier restaurant on Lake Travis features a bistro dining experience with a casual lakeside atmosphere.
16410 Stewart Rd | 512.266.2268
Arkansas Bend | This two-lane concrete boat ramp is located within the Arkansas Bend Park and requires a fee.
16900 Cherry Ln | 512.854.7275
Cypress Creek | This two-lane concrete boat ramp is located just before the intersection of Bullick Hollow Road and Old Anderson Mill Road. It does require a fee.
13601 Bullick Hollow Rd
Mansfield Dam Park | This four-lane concrete ramp, at high lake levels, and two-lane, at low levels, is located within the park and requires a fee.
4370 Mansfield Dam Park Rd
Pace Bend – Collier Cove | This tone-lane concrete boat ramp is located in Pace Bend park, about 30 miles west of Austin. It does require a fee.
2011 North Pace Bend Rd
Sandy Creek | This two-lane concrete boat ramp is located within Sandy Creek Park and requires a fee.
9500 Lime Creek Rd | 512.854.7275