Lake Travis Free area's? (Austin, Cedar Park: rental, camp, cost) - Texas (TX) - City-Data Forum

mitchell.glass · 03-31-2011, 01:19 PM

Hey, just moved here from upstate NY, and looking to take my son to lake Travis on saturday. What are some good area's on Lake Travis that are good spots to go? are there water moccasins in Lake Travis? anything I should be worried about going there?

ScoPro · 03-31-2011, 02:02 PM

I'm not aware of "free" areas on Travis, but here is the website to check it out:

Lake Travis Recreation

$10 ain't so bad for a day of messing around out there.

hoffdano · 03-31-2011, 02:54 PM

Water moccassins are rare. Not to worry.

On that nice link above I suggest you focus on the county parks or the LCRA parks.

The surface temperature is still pretty cool (~65 deg F) if you plan to get in the water. The water is clear and the fishing is improving rapidly.

someguyatx · 03-31-2011, 03:08 PM

I saw your other thread about cedar park. Your kid would probably like Brushy Creek Lake Park City of Cedar Park - Brushy Creek Lake Park (http://www.ci.cedar-park.tx.us/cp/pr_bclp.aspx - broken link)

No swimming but they have a waterscape and playground, you can fish or rent a canoe, they also have a nice bike trail

Laek Travis is probably a little cold right now for swimming.

CptnRn · 03-31-2011, 04:25 PM

Lake Travis is usually warm enough to swim in by late April. There are water moccasins in Lake Travis but you rarely see one in the day time unless you are near a weedy area at the back of some narrow coves. I occasionally saw some at night around marinas, the lights attracted bugs and fish which attracts the snakes. I have had a sailboat on Lake Travis most of my 33 years in Austin and never heard of anyone being bit by a water moccasin. We often swam at night in the marinas, floating on a tube while drinking beer and chatting.

Here is a map of the public parks http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks...les/county.pdf
I think they all cost $10 for a day permit. Coming from Cedar Park I would recommend you go to Arkansas Bend Park, its my favorite and since its on the north side of the lake it is usually less crowded. Arkansas Bend Park, Travis County, Texas

I don't think there are many free areas left. I think I heard that Lakeway Park is free but I'm not certain of that. City of Lakeway, TX - Official Website - City Park

luksky · 03-31-2011, 06:37 PM

I second Arkansas Bend Park 100%!! Last Summer we went and took our 9 yo there on a suggestion off the forum...I think CapnRn. This place was excellent if you don't like crowds. The water is shallow enough for little ones but yet progressively gets deeper the farther out you go. There is also a small island that you can walk across to and swim off of. We even walked along the shoreline a good way and explored the area.

There are picnic areas and grills if you want to day camp there (or night camp if you feel so inclined)

We went during the week and didn't have to pay any fees.

neddy · 03-31-2011, 06:43 PM

Go to Jones Brothers park in Jonestown (just up 1431 about 10 mins) its along the shores of LT. Its got playscape,basketball etc, free also boat launch is 10bucks

Moonlady · 03-31-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CptnRn

I don't think there are many free areas left. I think I heard that Lakeway Park is free but I'm not certain of that. City of Lakeway, TX - Official Website - City Park

Last time I went to Lakeway Park it was free for residents and $5 for non-residents. That was a couple of years ago - not sure if that's still the case.

LEANDER LAD · 04-03-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neddy

Go to Jones Brothers park in Jonestown (just up 1431 about 10 mins) its along the shores of LT. Its got playscape,basketball etc, free also boat launch is 10bucks

I agree with Neddy here, we often use this parks with our kids

its free unless you launch a water craft & recently a canoe type rental facility opend there also.

cBach · 04-03-2011, 04:57 PM

One of my biggest complaints about Lake Travis is the lack of free parks. It's like one of the main attractions in Austin, but unless you own a boat or fork over $10, then you can't access the lake. That being said, I used to get the season pass when it was $75 as you would make it up with going 8 times which I would usually do in a year. When they upped it to $100 then I stopped getting it.

I just returned from Pace Bend Park and the water was a little too cool for me to go swimming in. The kids went in fine, but it was also very breezy so as soon as you step out of the water you're a bit chilly.

There are a couple of free parks on Lake Austin however. There's a free park at the end of Quinlan Park Road with a very small beach area that is free. There is another park called Selma Hughes that is free, but there is no beach or swimming access. There are a few picnic tables however. Other than that, you'd need to fork over $8 for Emma Long Metropolitan Park which to me is a bit too expensive for what you get.

The LCRA Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point (not to be confused with the private Windy Point Park) is very well maintained and has a great shoreline, great restroom facilities, and plenty of shade pavilions as well as shade trees. There's a sometimes island that has reappeared - it was underwater last year and it's a good place to swim out to and explore. Also, the view from the point is extraordinary. I would recommend you take your son there for your first time on Lake Travis.