Table of contents
Austin is famous for its numerous lakes, which makes it an ideal place for active leisure. There are five main lakes located near this city, and the question of which ones are worth visiting is becoming relevant. If you are interested in entertainment and thrills, here are some recommendations.
Inks Lake
This is a large picturesque lake located near the arboretum. The reservoir has many opportunities for a variety of recreation. On both sides of the reservoir there are specially equipped picnic areas where you can spend time with family and friends, enjoying delicious food and refreshing drinks.
There are no campgrounds nearby but there are several hotels within walking distance from Inks Lake that offer accommodations near this scenic spot!
Lake Travis
Lake Travis is the largest lake in Austin, Texas. It was built on land purchased from the Lower Colorado River Authority and opened to the public in 1967. The lake covers about 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) of reservoir area and extends for nearly 15 miles (24 km). The elevation at its deepest point is 3200 feet (990 m).
The lake is fed by rainfall and runoff from surrounding mountains; during drought conditions it can dry up completely or become more shallow than usual because there isn’t enough water coming into it. The water level fluctuates depending on how much rain falls into Lake Travis each year; if no rain falls for several years then less water will accumulate behind dams upstream which leads to lower levels overall since most sources are controlled by multiple reservoirs at once rather than just one source like this one would be if only one dam existed instead!
Mueller Lake
This place is great for outdoor activities. It is an ideal lake for swimming, picnicking and fishing. There are two beaches here: one on each side, which offer prime real estate if you want to relax in your holiday suit (or not).
Lake Walter E. Long
This lake is located 15 km south of Austin. It is named after Walter E. Long, who was the president of the Board of Water Engineers from 1915 to 1921 and also helped create many other large lakes around Texas during his tenure at BWE.
This lake has a long history with swimming and active leisure — it’s even been featured on National Geographic! In addition to being visited by tourists looking for fun water excursions, this beautiful body of water has also served as an important source for drinking water since at least 1950 (when it began supplying Austin residents).
Lake Austin
This lake is the largest of the three lakes in Austin. It is formed by a dam and is a picturesque holiday destination for those who like various water activities. There are picturesque parks along the reservoir, where people like to walk, relax and have picnics.
Lake Buchanan
It is located in Llano. This reservoir was created in 1934 for watering plants and generating electricity. The reservoir is often visited for outdoor activities. The lake also offers excellent fishing opportunities for catching different types of fish.
The Buchanan Dam holds back approximately 1,200 acre-feet of water at full capacity; however during periods of low flow it can reach as low as 400 acre-feet or less depending on rainfall patterns.
Lady Bird Lake
This lake is located in the center of Austin and is a place where kayaking enthusiasts come. The reservoir was named after the wife of former President Lyndon B. Johnson. There are more than 20 miles of hiking trails around this impressive body of water.
Lake Marble Falls
This body of water is located among the hills of Texas, west of Austin. The lake area is 1,000 acres (about half a square mile).
This lake is very much loved by both outdoor enthusiasts and those who like to relax in silence. If you’re looking for something else to do while out at Lake Marble Falls, consider exploring nearby Barton Creek Greenbelt Park—it offers biking trails as well as green spaces with picnic tables where you can find peace from all that urban life!
Lake Georgetown
The largest lake in Austin, Lake Georgetown is also a reservoir and is located in the city’s north side. It has a boat ramp, picnic areas, trails and beach access. The marina offers boat storage as well as docking services for visitors who want to spend some time on their boats near the shoreline of this beautiful body of water.
The community surrounding Lake Georgetown offers plenty of activities for people who love nature or want something different from city life: hiking trails; biking trails; tennis courts; playgrounds; parks with picnic areas (including Bikes O’ Fun Park); basketball courts…the list goes on!
Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is a reservoir in the Texas Hill Country, located northwest of Austin. It’s the second largest lake in Texas, as well as one of its most popular fishing spots—and for good reason! The sand beach and picnic areas are perfect for relaxing after a day on the water. There are also plenty of activities to take advantage of if you’re not interested in fishing or swimming: hiking trails, boating rentals and more.