Things to do on Lake Austin range from cliff-jumping into limestone coves to a slow charter at sunset. This is the locally written, all-in-one guide to the best of the lake. Use it to plan a half-day, a full day, or a weekend that uses the water as the spine of the trip.
We are a Lake Austin charter company. We have spent years on this water. The picks below are based on what guests come back for and what locals do on their own weekends.
What makes Lake Austin different from Lake Travis
If you are deciding between Lake Austin and Lake Travis, the short answer: Travis is bigger, louder, and farther from downtown. Austin is calmer, prettier, and ten minutes from the heart of the city. Lake Austin is also a constant-level lake (the water never drops), it is mostly no-wake (glass-smooth water), and it is lined with cypress trees and limestone cliffs that make every photo look like a postcard.
For things to do on Lake Austin specifically, that translates to: better swim coves, calmer floaty time, easier-to-access boat ramps, and shorter Ubers if you are staying downtown.
1. Take a private captained boat charter
The most flexible way to see the lake is from the water. A private captained charter lets you anchor where you want, cruise to a waterfront lunch spot, and finish at sunset over the limestone cliffs. We run charters in two-hour, four-hour, and six-hour blocks.
- Lake Austin Sunset Cruise. Two hours, golden hour, glass-calm water.
- Bachelorette Boat Charter. Private party boat with the calmest water and the best photo backdrops.
- Celebrations and Proposals. Custom days for anniversaries, proposals, milestone birthdays.
- Full charter pricing.
2. Eat at a waterfront restaurant
Lake Austin has more dockside dining than any other body of water in Texas. Most spots have free guest dockage, so you can pull up by boat, tie off, and walk in.
- Hula Hut. Tex-Mex meets tiki. Always crowded, always worth it. Order the Mexonesian fajitas.
- Ski Shores Cafe. The 70-year-old waterfront burger joint everyone loves. Cash-friendly, easy parking by water.
- Mozart’s Coffee Roasters. Sprawling deck, lake views, surprisingly good food. Best for afternoon coffee or a quiet brunch.
- Ardent. Newer, fancier waterfront option with a tasting-menu approach. Reservations required.
- The Oasis. Sunset view from a cliff, not actually Lake Austin but visible from Mansfield Dam. Touristy but the view is the view.
3. Swim or float in a hidden cove
The coves between Pennybacker Bridge and Mansfield Dam are the lake’s best swim spots. Cliff jumping from 10-30 foot limestone ledges is a Lake Austin tradition. The water is 60-72 degrees most of the year, warmest in August-September, coldest in February. Bring a floaty or rent one with your charter.
The most-loved coves we anchor in: Selma Hughes Park area, the cypress bend near Little Venice, the cliffs east of Mary Quinlan, and the quiet stretch near Walsh Boat Landing. Each is 10-15 minutes from the launch points.
4. Hike Mount Bonnell
The 102 stone steps to the top of Mount Bonnell deliver the most-photographed view of Lake Austin and the city skyline. It is free, family-friendly, and 5 minutes from downtown. Best at sunrise (empty) or sunset (popular). The whole hike is 20 minutes round trip.
Pro move: do the hike, then meet your boat at Walsh Boat Landing 5 minutes downhill, and start a sunset charter from the cove right below Mount Bonnell.
5. Paddleboard or kayak
Lake Austin is great for SUP and kayak rentals. The flat water makes it accessible for beginners. The main rental spots are Rowing Dock (under MoPac), EpicSUP (Loop 360), and Live Love Paddle (Walsh Boat Landing). Plan 1-2 hours minimum.
6. Visit Lake Austin Spa Resort
Lake Austin Spa Resort is consistently named one of the top spa resorts in the country. You can do a day pass that includes lunch and lake access, or a multi-day stay. Booking ahead is required. It is on the quieter west end of the lake.
7. See the Pennybacker Bridge from below
The 360 Bridge (officially the Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge) is the iconic arch you see from Loop 360. The best photos of it are taken from the water, looking up. Any charter that launches from Loop 360 Boat Ramp will pass directly under it.
8. Hike at Emma Long Park or Mayfield Park
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a 1,000-acre shoreline park with hiking, picnic areas, and a public boat ramp. Mayfield Park is smaller, free, and famous for the peacocks that roam the historic cottage gardens. Both are on the lake side of the city and pair well with a boat trip.
9. Pair the lake with what is happening in town
Austin is a calendar city. There is always something. We maintain a daily-updated guide to what is happening around Austin, so you can pair your day on the lake with a downtown concert, festival, or food event. Sunset cruise followed by dinner at a Rainey Street rooftop is the unbeatable Austin evening.
10. Watch the bats (technically Lady Bird Lake, but worth mentioning)
The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are downstream on Lady Bird Lake, not Lake Austin. But they are an Austin must-see between March and October, with the best viewing from the water on Lady Bird. Lone Star Riverboat runs evening cruises. It is a great companion experience to a daytime Lake Austin charter.
Best things to do on Lake Austin by season
Spring (March to May)
Wildflowers along the shore, mid-70s water temps, the lake at its quietest before tourist season. Best season for a long charter without the crowds. Bluebonnet shots from a boat are unbeatable.
Summer (June to August)
Peak season. Warmest water (70s-80s), longest sunset windows, busiest weekends. Book charters 2-4 weeks ahead. Swim coves are the priority.
Fall (September to November)
The locals’ favorite. Warm water hangs around through October. Light goes earlier and the bluffs turn gold. Less competition for prime dock times. Best season for a sunset charter.
Winter (December to February)
Quiet on the water. 50s-60s air temps but mild sunny afternoons. Better suited to lunch cruises than swim trips. The lake is almost empty.
How to get to Lake Austin
Lake Austin has multiple public access points. From downtown:
- Walsh Boat Landing (8 minutes from downtown). Closest to Mount Bonnell. The most-used launch for charters.
- Loop 360 Boat Ramp (12 minutes). Directly under Pennybacker Bridge. Iconic launch point.
- Emma Long Park (20 minutes). Park-side launch, lots of parking, family-friendly.
- Mary Quinlan Park (25 minutes). Quiet west-end launch. Closest to the cliffs.
If you charter with us, we will pick you up at any of these or your private dock if your rental house has one.
Frequently asked
Can you swim in Lake Austin?
Yes. Lake Austin water quality is consistently rated very good. There are designated swim areas at Emma Long, and most coves are popular informal swim spots.
Are dogs allowed on Lake Austin?
Yes, dogs are allowed at most public access points and on most rental boats (check with the operator). Bring fresh water for them.
Is Lake Austin good for fishing?
Yes, especially for largemouth bass and white bass. A Texas fishing license is required for anyone over 17. Early mornings and the cooler months are best.
How big is Lake Austin?
Lake Austin is about 21 miles long and ranges from 100 yards to half a mile wide. The dam-to-dam stretch (Mansfield to Tom Miller) is about 21 miles.
What is the best time of day for things to do on Lake Austin?
Early morning for paddleboard and kayak (water is glass-smooth, no boat traffic). Midday for swim coves. Late afternoon and sunset for charters. Most charters book the 5pm-8pm window.
Plan your day on the lake
The lake is at its best when you build a full day around it. A morning hike up Mount Bonnell, lunch on the dock at Hula Hut, a swim cove afternoon, and a sunset charter west toward the dam. Reserve your charter and we will help you plan the rest.