Rolling hills, temperate climate, and water, water everywhere, Austin is the perfect place to live. Whether you enjoy active water sports, like watching a sunset over a beautiful lake, or want to see a sunrise from your own window each morning, all of this is available in the Austin area.
LAKE AUSTIN, LAKE TRAVIS, LAKE BUCHANAN, INKS LAKE, LAKE LBJ, and LAKE MARBLE FALLS are all part of the Highland Lakes system created from the establishment of six dams on the lower Colorado River in Central Texas. The lakes and nearby parks and recreation areas are popular for water sports and leisure activities. LADY BIRD LAKE in not included in the Highland Lakes system but is part of the Colorado River.
LADY BIRD LAKE
Lady Bird Lake, formerly known as Town Lake, is between Riverside Drive and First Street in
downtown Austin. From dawn to dusk,
you will find people walking and jogging along the Hike
and Bike Trail, canoeing, and kayaking. Swimming, jet
skis and motorized boats are not allowed.The southern shore is known as Auditorium Shores and is the site for outdoor concerts. On the northern bank is Fiesta Gardens, a popular concert area as well.
If you can find some quiet time, you can find ducks, swans, and turtles along the banks.
FACTS:
Length - 6 miles
Width - 400-2500 feet
Average depth - 14 feet
LAKE AUSTIN
Lake Austin is one of the area's most beautiful lakes with its high cliffs along the water's edge. Beautiful houses surround the hillsides and edge of the water with gorgeous views, making this area a premiere and desirable housing area.
Lake Austin starts at Mansfield Dam and ends at the Tom Miller Dam in the city of Austin. The much photographed 360 Bridge goes over Lake Austin and is a popular gathering spot on the lake as well as a good point for launching a boat.
Map of Lake Austin
LAKE TRAVIS
Lake Travis is popular for sailing, boating,
jet skiing, water skiing, and swimming. It is the longest
of the Highland Lakes, and with its proximity to Austin,
it is a very desirable area for anyone who wants to have
easy lake and city access. Lakeway and Volente Village
are located on the south side of Lake Tavis, and Lago
Vista and Jonestown are on the north side. Briarcliff is
located on the northwest side, directly across the lake
from Lago Vista. If you are looking for an established
lakeside community to live in, Lakeway and Lago Vista are
both worth considering with relatively easy access to
Austin for shopping and entertainment. Both of the areas
offer beautiful views of the lake and the surrounding
Texas Hill country. FACTS:
Length - 60 miles
Width - 4.5 miles wide
Shoreline - 270 miles
Click here for Lake Travis Marinas & Parks
LAKE BUCHANAN
Lake Buchanan is a great area for tourists. There are resorts, RV areas, cabins for rent, campgrounds, and lake rental houses along the shore. Houseboats are also available to rent. The lake is very popular with boaters, campers, swimmers, and fishermen. A cruise up the river is available where you can see scenic wilderness as you tour through the Colorado River Canyon. There is also a winery in the area. It is located approximately 60 miles northwest of Austin.
FACTS:
Length - 30 miles
Width - 5 miles
Shoreline - 124 miles
INKS LAKE
Although Inks Lake is small, it is considered one of the prettiest of the Highland Lakes. Inks Lake State Park is 1200 acres of beauty, surrounded by cedar and oak woodlands. There is swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking in the park. It is well-known for its great fishing of bass, crappie, and catfish. There is also a public golf course, the Highland Lakes Public Golf Club, located on Inks Lake. Because of the woodlands, it is easy to spot deer, turkey, and other wildlife.
FACTS:
Length - 4.2 miles
Width - 3000 feet
LAKE LBJ
Lake LBJ was named after Lyndon B. Johnson and is located between Kingsland and Horseshoe Bay.
It is one of the most popular lakes in the
state of Texas and is perfect for sailing, boating and
all other water related activities. There are many
retirement homes and weekend homes in the area. (This
area has been rated in the top three areas for retirement
in the U.S.) The lakeside communities include Kingsland,
Highland Haven, Granite Shoals, Sunrise Beach, Deer
Haven, Blue Lake, and Horseshoe Bay.There are cabins, condos, motels and RV parks as well as vacation rental homes along the lake.
FACTS:
Length - 21 miles
Width - 10,800 feet
LAKE MARBLE FALLS
Lake Marble Falls is located 45 miles northwest of Austin and is at the town of Marble Falls. It is a quickly growing area for retirees.
There are cabins, motels, bed & breakfast inns, and RV parks with great restaurants and gift shops. Marble Falls is home of the popular Blue Bonnet Cafe, which is world famous for its home style cooking.
FACTS:
Length - 5.75 miles
Width - 1080 feet wide
THINGS TO DO IN THE HIGHLAND LAKES AREA
OTHER THAN FISHING, BOATING OR SWIMMING:
Have a picnic in Marble Falls at the Lakeside Park or Johnson Park, the Llano River Park in Llano, The Slab in Kingsland or Hamilton Creek Park in Burnet.
Shop for souvenirs, art, and gifts in all of the local towns.
Visit the Hill Country Wildlife Museum in Llano. 325.247.2568
Climb Enchanted Rock on RR 965 south of Llano.
Take scenic drives through the hills and around the lakes.
Tour the Inks Dam National Fish Hatchery west of Burnet.
Visit the Fort Croghan Museum in Burnet. 512.756.8281
Visit the Highland Lakes CAF Air Museum. 512.756.2226
Take a drive through the wildflowers in the spring.
Visit the wineries and sample wine.
Take a tour of President L.B. Johnson's boyhood home and ranch in Johnson City.
Visit the Eagle Eye observatory near Burnet. 800.977.0081
Have lunch at Carlos 'N Charlie's.
Lake Austin Spa & Resort
Bluebonnet Festival
Hill Country Flyer
Lost Creek Vineyards
Fall Creek Vinyards
Birdwatching
Wildlife
Longhorn Caverns
Austin Road Riders' Hill Country Tour
WATERFRONT RESTAURANTS
LAKE TRAVIS
The Oasis
(Tex-Mex w/Lake Views) Don't miss this one! UNBELIEVABLE views of Lake Travis!
6550 Comanche Trail
512.266.7810
Lakehouse Cafe
406 Sleat Dr #B
Briarcliff, TX 78669
Phone: (512) 264-7040
Johnny Fins
16405 Clara Van St
Austin , TX , 78734
The Pier
18200 Lakepoint CV
Lago Vista, TX 78645-8712
Phone: (512) 267-1845
Iguana Grill Austin
2900 N. RM 620
Austin, TX 78734
512-266-8439
Cafe Bleu
8714 Lime Creek Road, Volente
(512) 401-2538
LAKE AUSTIN
Ski Shores Waterfront Cafe
2905 Pearce Rd
Austin, TX 78730-4310
Phone: (512) 346-5915
Hula Hut
3825 Lake Austin Blvd
Austin, TX 78703
Phone: (512) 476-4852
LADY BIRD LAKE
Shoreline Grill
98 San Jacinto Blvd
Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 477-3300
ART GALLERIES IN THE HIGHLAND LAKES AREA
Buchanan Arts & Crafts
17534 Hwy 29 West
Buchanan Dam, Texas78609
512-793-2858
Dan Pogue Sculpture Gallery & Foundry
7670 Hwy 1431 East
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
830.693.9544
Gallery of the Hills
St 17617 East Hwy 29
Buchanan Dam, TX 79609
512.793.2341
Grannie Annie's Gallery
807 Berry Street
Llano, Texas 78643
325-247-5010
Grid Iron Gallery
112 East Main
Llano, Texas 78643
325-247-3013
Highland Arts Guild
318 Main Street
Marble Falls, Texas78654
830-693-7324
jSPACE Art Gallery & Studio
206 Main Street
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
830-693-5973
Llano Fine Arts Guild
503 Bessemer Avenue
Llano, Texas 78643
325-247-4839
Riverbend Fine Art
710 1st Street
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
830-693-6632
Studio 9
906-B Main Street
Marble Falls, Texas 78654
830-693-7430
GOLF COURSES
Horseshoe Bay - Horseshoe Bay, Texas
Burnet - Delaware Springs Municipal Golf Course
Kingsland - The Legends Golf Course
Inks Lake - Highland Lakes Golf Course
Lago Vista - Lago Vista Golf Club
Lakeway - Lakeway Golf Club
Llano - Llano River Golf Course
Marble Falls - The Waterford Club
Resort Golf Courses
The three Robert Trent Jones, Sr. designed golf courses in Horseshoe Bay are: Slickrock, Ram Rock and Apple Rock.
Escondido Golf Course
The Escondido Golf Course is a private golf course on the south side of Lake LBJ in Horseshoe Bay. Call 877-598-6311 for more information.
Texas
Spicewood, The Lakecliff Golf Club is a private golf course in Spicewood, Texas overlooking Lake Travis. Call 888-798-0695 for more information.