THINGS TO DO ON LAKE TRAVIS | TIDE UP BOAT RENTALS
🌊 Activity Guide
Things to Do on Lake Travis
Discover everything Lake Travis has to offer – from party coves to peaceful swimming spots, water sports to scenic cruises.
Lake Travis is Austin’s playground. With 271 miles of shoreline, crystal-clear water, and year-round activities, there’s something for everyone. Here’s your complete guide to the best things to do on Lake Travis!
Located just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, Lake Travis is a massive reservoir known for its clear blue-green water and stunning Hill Country scenery. Whether you want to party, relax, or adventure, Lake Travis delivers.
Best Lake Travis Activities
🏊 Water Activities
- 🚤 Rent a party boat with friends
- 🏊♀️ Swim in crystal-clear coves
- 🛟 Float on inflatables all day
- 🏄 Paddleboarding adventures
- 🚣 Kayaking scenic areas
- 🎿 Water skiing & wakeboarding
- 🤿 Scuba diving at Mansfield Dam
🎉 Party & Social
- 🏝️ Visit famous Devil’s Cove
- 🎂 Birthday boat parties
- 👰 Bachelorette celebrations
- 🎩 Bachelor party boat days
- 🍻 Floating bar hopping
- 🌅 Sunset cruise parties
- 🎵 Boat raft-ups with friends
🗺️ Explore & Discover
- ⛰️ See dramatic limestone cliffs
- 🏞️ Cruise Cypress Creek arm
- 🌉 Visit Mansfield Dam
- 🏝️ Explore Starnes Island
- 📸 Photography excursions
- 🦅 Wildlife watching
- 🗿 Find hidden coves
😌 Relax & Unwind
- 🌅 Watch stunning sunsets
- ☀️ Sunbathe on the boat
- 📖 Read while floating
- 🧘 Morning paddleboard yoga
- 🎣 Peaceful fishing
- 🍷 Wine cruise with friends
- 🌙 Stargazing on the water
The Best Way to Experience Lake Travis
Rent a boat and access all the best spots. Captain included – everyone can enjoy!
Top Lake Travis Spots
🎉 Devil’s Cove
The legendary party cove where boats raft up for epic floating parties. Busiest on weekends!
Party
🏝️ Starnes Island
Beautiful swimming cove with clearer water and more relaxed vibes than Devil’s Cove.
Swimming
🌲 Cypress Creek
Scenic arm of the lake with dramatic cliffs. Great for exploring and photos.
Scenic
🏊 Hippie Hollow
Texas’s only legal clothing-optional park. Adults only, unique vibe.
Public Access
⛰️ Pace Bend Park
Large county park with swimming, cliffs, and camping. $10 entry.
Shore Access
🌊 Mansfield Dam
Deepest, clearest water on the lake. Popular for scuba diving.
Clear Water
Lake Travis by Occasion
🎩 Bachelor Parties
Lake Travis is legendary for bachelor parties. Rent a double-decker party boat, hit Devil’s Cove, and create memories. BYOB means no expensive bar tabs.
👰 Bachelorette Parties
Bachelorette boats are huge on Lake Travis. Decorate the boat, blast music, swim in beautiful coves, and celebrate the bride-to-be in style.
🎂 Birthdays
Skip the boring restaurant. A birthday boat party gives you privacy, swimming, sunshine, and way better photos than any bar.
👨👩👧👦 Family Days
Lake Travis is great for families. Captain handles the boat while kids swim. Find a quiet cove away from party scenes for a relaxing day.
💡 Local Tip
Most of Lake Travis’s best spots are only accessible by boat. Public parks like Pace Bend and Hippie Hollow offer shore access, but renting a boat opens up dozens of hidden coves and the best swimming spots!
When to Visit Lake Travis
- Peak Season (May-September): Warmest water, busiest times, best for swimming and parties
- Shoulder Season (April, October): Great weather, fewer crowds, still swimmable
- Off Season (November-March): Scenic cruises, too cold for swimming, best prices
- Weekdays vs. Weekends: Weekdays are significantly less crowded at all times of year
Lake Travis FAQs
Lake Travis is famous for its crystal-clear blue-green water, party coves (especially Devil’s Cove), dramatic limestone cliffs, and being Austin’s premier boating destination. It’s also known for excellent swimming conditions and vibrant lake culture.
Yes! Lake Travis has some of Texas’s best swimming. The clear water and numerous coves make it ideal. By boat, you can access dozens of swimming spots. Public parks like Pace Bend and Hippie Hollow also offer shore swimming access.
Most of Lake Travis’s best spots require a boat to access. Renting a captained boat is the easiest way – your captain knows all the hidden coves and current conditions. Some spots like Pace Bend Park offer shore access.
Experience Everything Lake Travis Has to Offer
Book a boat and explore the lake’s best spots!
Lake Travis offers endless possibilities for fun on the water. From wild party coves to peaceful swimming spots, there’s something for everyone. Book a boat with Tide Up and discover your new favorite Lake Travis experience!