Lake Travis is a popular vacation destination that sits approximately 15 miles northwest of Austin, Texas, offering travelers gorgeous views of rolling hills and miles of beach shoreline. Surrounded by the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Preserve and located within minutes of beautiful golf courses, campgrounds, and recreational areas, Lake Travis is the perfect location for a fun-filled getaway, with vacation rentals ranging from hilltop resorts and hotels to lakefront homes just steps away from the water. If you’re headed to Lake Travis for your next vacation, check out this top 10 list of the best vacation rental locations in the area.
1. Collier Cove
Collier Cove offers vacationers great sunset views from the west side of the lake, along with easy access to Pace Bend Park, a popular fishing and camping area. Take a swim in the peaceful swimming coves located along the shoreline, or utilize the two public boat ramps in the area to head out on a morning fishing trip. With multiple beaches within walking distance from your vacation rental and nature at every turn, this area is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts.
2. Arkansas Bend
The Arkansas Bend area on the north shore of Lake Travis is ideal for vacationers who are looking for a quiet refuge away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Located in close proximity to the peaceful and secluded Arkansas Bend park, travelers who stay in vacation rentals in the area have immediate access to two miles of lake frontage, swimming coves, rocky cliffs for diving, and campgrounds.
3. Windy Point
Offering vacationers spectacular views, the Windy Point area lies within close proximity of Windy Point Park, one of Central Texas’ most sought after diving spots. If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving, the Windy Point area is an optimal vacation rental location. Sign up for a lesson with a skilled instructor and have a family adventure beneath the water, or bring your own gear and go exploring. Windy Point Park also offers cozy campsites for overnight retreats, a picnic area, and easy access to the water for fishing and swimming.
4. Lago Vista
If you plan to do a lot of fishing on your vacation, consider choosing a vacation rental in the Lago Vista area. Lago Vista is surrounded by over 14 accessible creeks and fishing lakes, where you can find plenty of gars and white bass. The creeks are great for fly fishing, while the lakes are ideal for spin casting. There are also several camp areas in the immediate vicinity if you decide to take an overnight fishing trip.
5. Sandy Creek
Sandy Creek is a hiker’s dream come true, as the area sits on a wooded bluff that provides amazing scenic views of Lake Travis, just a few minutes from your vacation rental. Sandy Creek Park is just around the corner, offering swimming coves and bird watching areas, where you just may spot one or more of the 900 bird species that call Lake Travis home, including gulls and blue herons. Once in a blue moon, you might be lucky enough to spot a local roadrunner speeding along the bluff.
6. Lakeway
The Lakeway community surrounds the Lakeway Marina on Lake Travis, making it a perfect vacation rental location option if you plan to spend the majority of your vacation waterskiing, jet-skiing or fishing. Rent a pontoon or party barge to entertain guests, or store your boat in one of the marina’s slips for convenient access to the water when you want to catch some early morning fish.
7. The Hills
The Hills offers vacation rental homes that provide beautiful scenic views of Lake Travis along with the perfectly manicured golf courses in the area. Vacationers have recreational options at every turn, as the community offers multiple hiking trails and bike paths at The Hills Park and Nature Trail, while the Lake Travis shoreline is just a few steps away for boating, fishing, swimming, and water sports. Play a few rounds of golf at Falcon Head or the Rolling Hills Golf Club, or take a short trip into the neighboring city of Bee Cave to shop at the Hill County Galleria or grab a bite to eat at one of the local cafes.
8. Lower Basin
For vacation rentals in close proximity to the Lake Travis shoreline and the Colorado river, the Lower Basin area on the south shore is a great option. Lodging accommodations range from waterfront villas and condos to resorts, and Tom Hughes Park is just a short drive away, where you’ll have access to several hiking trails that lead down to the shoreline.
9. Comanche Trail
Comanche Trail provides the perfect combination of lakeshore relaxation and the action of the city, as the community sits just 20 minutes away from downtown Austin. Comanche Trail is also the home of The Oasis, a popular restaurant known for its amazing hospitality and beautiful sunset views. The Comanche Trail itself runs through Bob Wentz Park, a well-maintained nature area where you can hike, watch the birds, or simply relax with a family picnic.
10. Apache Shores
Whether you plan on boating, hiking, exploring, or just relaxing during your vacation, the Apache Shores community has you covered. Nearby boat launches make it easy to get out on the water, while several parks in the vicinity offer nature trails, basketball courts, and tennis courts. Hike along Indian Creek in nearby Riverside Park and admire the gorgeous scenery that includes two waterfalls, or packs a sandwich and dangles your legs off the fishing docks on the Lake Apache shoreline.