LCRA Parks on Western Lake Travis

The Lower Colorado River Authority has many parks along Lake Travis but here's a selection of some of special interest to travelers:

Camp Chautauqua
Recommended for: campers, canoeists, anglers, swimmers, family reunions

Camp Chautauqua is recommended for campers looking for a quiet campground. The park includes a variety of individual and group sites with four covered pavilions for group picnics as well as restrooms, showers, hike/bike trails, a boat ramp, volleyball courts, a baseball field, a fishing pier, and a playground. The park is also very popular for family reunions and meetings and includes a covered pavilion for up to 100 persons. Campers can select from 30 campsites or 30 sites with water and electricity for RVs. Reservations are required for camping. Write Camp Chautauqua, Route 1, Box 30, Spicewood, Texas 78669 or call 512-264-1752.

Location: Take TX 71 west from Austin to RR 2322. Go north 4.6 miles to Pace Bend Park. Stop at the gate and explain you have a reservation at Camp Chautauqua to obtain directions.

Camp Creek Recreation Area
Recommended for: hikers, nature lovers

Camp Creek Area offers a loop hiking trail and, in early mornings and late evenings, visitors can see local wildlife. The park is shaded by large pecan trees and is especially good for those looking for a quiet, undeveloped site. This area should, however, be avoided during heavy rains. The access to Camp Creek is a steep gravel road with two low-water crossings that often rise in rainstorms.

The park is adjacent to Burnet County Park, a five-acre site on the waterfront. Here campers will find sites as well as tables, grills, trash cans and a boat ramp. (Skip this boat ramp when the lake level is low, however. The ramp makes a sharp drop at the end.)

Location: north side of Lake Travis about 18 miles west of Lago Vista or eight miles east of Marble Falls near the Smithwick community. Take FM 1431 to County Road 343 and continue about one-half mile on this road to the site entrance.

Gloster Bend Recreation Area
Recommended for: boaters, swimmers, hikers

This large day use park, divided into woodlands on the south and grasslands on the north, boasts the highest visitation of all the recreation areas. The site has only minimal facilities including composting toilets, fire rings, and trash cans. Over one mile of shoreline can be easily accessed.

Location: north side of Lake Travis approximately 6 miles west of Lago Vista near the Travis Peak community. Take FM 1431 to Singleton Road and continue 3.3 miles to the site entrance.

Shaffer Bend Recreation Area
Recommended for: hikers

This free 523-acre park includes hike/bike trails and picnic facilities. A favorite with day trippers looking for an undeveloped site, the park also offers many good lake views.

Location: 17 miles west of Lago Vista or 9 miles east of Marble Falls near the Smithwick community. Take FM 1431 to County Road 343A and continue about one mile.

Turkey Bend Recreation Area
Recommended for: horseback riders, hikers, swimmers

This 400-acre park winds along two miles of north Lake Travis shoreline. The recreation area is popular with those looking for a real back-to-nature getaway because the site has been left mostly undeveloped, with no restrooms, drinking water, or trash collection. Some primitive camp sites are marked with fire rings.
However, horseback riders and hikers frequent the park for its loop trail with good views of the lake. One warning: during hunting season there is hunting on adjacent private land so be wary when approaching fence lines.

Location: north side of Lake Travis approximately 9.5 miles west of Lago Vista. Take FM 1431 to Shaw Drive and continue 1.8 miles to the site entrance.

Return to Lago Vista Travel Guide or Marble Falls Travel Guide