Lake Travis vs Lake Austin

[Mark V]

The wife and I just spent a week on Lake Travis- 1 night aboard the boat anchored in a serene Cow Creek, 4 nights in a water front condo, and 2 nights back onboard the boat. It was our first trip there, we loved it and despite the water being about 25 to 30 feet low, we can recommend:

1) The Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp - didnt use it, but saw it; the best ramp I saw during the current low water spell. In fact, one of the very the best ramps I've seen in 30+ years of trailer boating.

2) The Whitecliff Condos near Briarcliff (just make sure you are in good shape - there's the equivalent of about 8 flights of stairs between the condo and boat dock. Contact Donna Garrison/Austin Lakeside Properties. :thumbsup:

3) Depending on circumstances and if the Baptist Highland Lakes camp will allow you...for a $25 launch fee ....their private boat ramp is usable - JUST SWEEP ALL THE LOOSE ROCKS OFF OF The TOP of the ramp!! (truck brakes do NOT work when 7500# of boat and trailer are tugging you downhill over a concrete ramp covered with marble sized rocks :wow and it's not really open to the public...

4) The Briarcliff Marina. Unfortunately their ramp is high and dry, but their fuel dock, pump out, dock store, and service are all great. Real nice people. And one of the employees, Chase Kane, went above and beyond the call of duty helping me get my dead boat back on the trailer after it lost a motor coupling the last day of our trip. :smt038

5) Check out Devil's Cove and the Saturday party crowd at least once. :wink:

6) Burgers and beers at Angel's in Briarcliff - a short road trip from the water.

7) Cruising upstream , away from the crowds, up the Colorado river past the Pedernales river fork, and beaching on one of the long, sandy, rock-free beaches for a walk in the sand.

7) Swimming in the lake every day. Unbelievable how clean the water was - the boat didn't even get dirty!

 

[Red Horse]

Grew up going to Travis. Briarcliff marina and that area have always been good. We used to camp all the time at Pace Bend Park (paleface to the locals) in high school.

When the water is up, the Perdanales is really nice. I like the north end of the lake. You can get away from it all out there.

 

[geriksen]

Well after having my 280DA on Lake Travis for 4 years I feel I can offer some advice. Lake Austin is for boats under about 22ft because it's just a big river. They do not take too kindly to big boats making big waves. You'll get bored fast anyway and eventually transfer to Lake Travis. Your boat will be perfect for Lake Travis. I absolutely love it there. I live in Dallas and I keep my boat there if that tells you something.
I was at Emerald Point Marina which i feel is the best and it's the place to be. That's where all the fun is. Carlos and Charlie's is located there. Devil's cove, where all the boats gather during the weekends, is just across from that as well.
Make sure and watch a sun set at The Oasis(don't eat there) as it is the best view in Texas. Watch The Brew(a band) that plays on sunday there. Travel all around and check out the multitude of multimillion dollar mansions. Eat at Los Penos mexican restaurant. Best mexican food around.
Lake Travis is alot of fun. Enjoy.

My shop Eriksen Marine is on Lake Travis, at Emerald Point. Feel free to pm me and I can point you in the right direction for a slip and warn you about shallow spots etc.
The lake is extremely low right now but it is still very nice. Warm, clear water.

Welcome to Austin, you will love it!