Austin has three main lakes in the nearby area. Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake),  Lake Austin and Lake Travis.

 

 

 

 

Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake)

Lady Bird Lake is in the city of Austin, Texas.  It runs just north of Riverside Drive near the downtown area of Austin.  Interstate I-35 goes over Lady Bird Lake as you are driving through Austin.

Lady Bird Lake is 6 miles long and from 400 feet to 2,500 feet wide at it widest point and has an average depth of 14 feet.  Lady Bird Lake is just downstream from Lake Austin on the Colorado River. 

Lady Bird Lake is a placid lake and is a constant level lake, ideal for canoeing. You can take a nice long walk along the lake or do a little jogging along the trails beside the lake.

Swimming, motorized boats and jet skis are unfortunately not allowed in Lady Bird Lake.

 

 

 

Lake Austin

The Bridge on Hwy 360 which goes over Lake Austin is a good point for launching your boat.  It is also a popular gathering point on the lake.

Lake Austin has high cliffs in places along the shore of the lake which provide shelter from the wind for the best in boating activities.  The cliffs are dotted with exclusive homes overlooking the lake.

 

 

 

 

Lake Travis

Starting at Austin, Lake Travis winds its way northwest through the central Texas Hill Country for over 60 miles.  At the widest point the lake is 4.5 miles wide.

There are four communities located around the shores of Lake Travis.   On the south side of Lake Travis, closer to Austin, on Highway 620 is the Golfing community of Lakeway.

On the north side of the lake are two communities; Lago Vista, another Golfing community, and Jonestown.  Both of these communities are on Highway 1431.

On the northwest side of Lake Travis is the community of Briarcliff.   It is directly across the lake from Lago Vista.  It can be reached by taking Hwy 2322 east from Highway 71.

Lakeway and Lago Vista are both nice communities for both golf and retirement.  Both communities are an easy half hour to 45 minute drive to Austin.   They are located in the rolling hills of the central Texas Hill Country which offers fantastic views of the lake and the surrounding hills.