11 Best Lake Travis Parks

Mar 02, 2022

In a recent study, researchers found that living next to green areas such as a park has a variety of health benefits, including lower cortisol levels, reduced risk of developing heart disease, and even preventing death.

Of course, parks can be hard to come by, especially if you live in a big city. Luckily, areas like Lake Travis have plenty of parks for people to plant their roots in, especially in the surrounding neighborhoods like Lakeway and Apache Shores.

You also don’t have to live in a classic family home to enjoy the benefits of living by a park. If anything, living in a condo-living in the area can be even more enjoyable when you can easily enjoy the outdoor wonders within walking distance.

Whether you're looking for a place to picnic with family or go fishing with friends, one of these 11 parks will have an ideal spot for your group. Here's a guide to finding what you're looking for at some of the best parks around.

1. Arkansas Bend Park

This 323-acre park is ideal for adventurers who are looking for some quiet time away from the crowds. Although this park is fairly isolated in comparison to other parks in the area, it recently underwent renovations in 2019, so it has new campsites, walking trails, boat ramps, and even a playground.

In addition, Arkansas Bend’s crystal clear waters are a dream for most scuba divers or snorkelers. To gain entrance to this park, you’ll need to pay $5 in cash for a day pass — they don’t accept credit or debit cards so remember to grab some change when you’re on your way. Nearby homes for sale in Lago Vista.

2. Camp Creek Park

Camp Creek Park is located on the north shore of Lake Travis in Marble Falls. Whether you’re camping overnight or hosting a lovely picnic — this park has a variety of activities that are fun for the whole family to enjoy. You can also bring your furry friend along since it’s pet-friendly!

Since this park sits right by the water, you can also enjoy plenty of water recreational activities like boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and swimming.

This park has a $5 admittance fee for adults, but luckily children can play for free. If you plan on camping or staying overnight, you’ll have to pay a fee of $25.

3. Dink Pearson Park

The Dink Pearson park is one of the most historical parks on this list, since this park was originally donated by the Pearson family in 1941 on behalf of Samuel “Dink” Pearson.

This region also happened to be a connecting point for early settlers traveling via wagons unil Dink Pearson constructed a concrete bridge after the plain was flooded from the Mansfield Dam.

This historical park has a free admission fee and plenty of daily activities such as walking, hiking, boating, and bird-watching of their infamous Goldenp-cheeked warbler. Nearby homes for sale in Point Venture.

4. Fitz Hughes Park

Fitz Hughes Park, which started operating in the county in 1939, features 400 feet of woodland and a grassy plateau.

With a basketball court and a playground, this park is great for families looking for the perfect daily activity. This park also has local lake access, so you can go swimming, boating, or kayaking. Unfortunately, since this is a day-only park, camping and overnight stays are prohibited. Nearby homes for sale in Steiner Ranch.

5. Hippie Hollow Park

This park is perfect for those looking to get in touch with nature. This clothing-optional park has several miles of hiking trails. If you're not into hiking, there are numerous beaches and fishing spots, and relaxing in the sun is more your thing. Carry your poles along with you while you take a dip at Hippie Hollow.

Other activities that you can find at this park include:

Youth league sports;
Leagues for volleyball and tennis;
A few events throughout the year.

If you are a sportsperson, this is the perfect place to spend your off-hours. You'll find this park open from 5 am to 10 pm every day.

6. Jessica Hollis Park

If you’re into water recreational sports like paddleboarding, Jessica Hollis Park is the place to go. There’s plenty of space to load up your kayak or paddleboard, and it’s quite a popular spot for fishing.

Although the entry fee is $1, they also offer amenities like grills that can be perfect for waterside picnics. Since this is one of the smaller parks, it’s important to get here earlier in the day during the busy season to avoid large crowds.

7. Mansfield Dam Park

The Mansfield Dam Park is ideal for history buffs. This area was one of the first dam and bridge projects in Texas, making it a historical landmark in the area. There's also a unique old town and museum for those looking to learn about local history. You can also fish in this area if that's what you're after.

Some of the activities offered at this park include fishing and boating. There are multiple free boat ramps available as well. So there's no excuse to miss out on the great fishing spots here. The park is open from 5 am to 10 pm on weekdays and from 6 am to 10 pm on weekends. So there's always time for a visit.

8. Narrows Park

Like most parks on this list, Narrows Park is ideal for water sports. Since they offer boat ramps, you’re able to boat, canoe, kayak, and swim.

Unlike other parks listed, this is a day-only park that is open from sunrise to sunset. With the picturesque views, however, you’re unlikely to forget about this park anytime soon.

Do keep in mind, however, to avoid this park on a rainy day. The only access road to this park crosses Alligator Creek which is only passible during low-water capacity.

9. Pace Bend Park

Pace Bend Park is one of the most popular parks, and for good reason! Not only can you enjoy camping, water recreational sports, hiking, and camping, there are also plenty of equestrian trails as well.

This large lake area has plenty of swimming holes that you can venture around in with any sized boat. That being said, it’s important to stay vigilant against any zebra mussels that you could expose to the area. If you’re interested in camping and staying overnight, you should book your spot now before others do.

10. Sandy Creek Park

There are several things to do at Sandy Creek park, and all promise some outdoor fun. Feel free to bring your swimsuit for one of Sandy Creek's three swimming beaches if it's nice outside. Multiple trails offer great views of the lake if biking or hiking is more your thing.

The main activities at this park are swimming and fishing. You can enjoy a nice picnic or event here as well. This park is open every day from 5 am to 10 pm throughout the week.

11. Turkey Bend Park

Just like its name entails, Turkey Bend park is known for its wildlife. This park can be especially picturesque in the springtime when the bluebonnets, white poppies, and Indian paintbrush flowers start to bloom.

In addition to sightseeing, Turkey Bend’s 1,146 acres offer plenty of camping space, picnic areas, and restrooms for campers. Turkey Bend is also within walking distance of Lake Travis, so feel free to bring along a swimsuit or your boat for some waterside fun.

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11 Best Lake Travis Parks

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