Visiting Austin for the first time? Want a day in the sun but don’t know what Lake to choose?
As the booking specialist for Keep Austin Wet this is a question I get asked daily. What’s the best lake for boat rentals in Austin? Let me break down the basics for you, Austin is home to 3 main lakes, all of which are reservoirs on the Colorado River and controlled by dams.
LADY BIRD LAKE
Lady Bird Lake or LBL (aka Town Lake) in downtown is a quiet constant level lake that doesn’t allow motorized boat traffic (unless they’re electric motors under five horsepower). It’s a great place to kayak, paddleboard, and overall take advantage of the calm waters and picturesque backdrop of downtown. Find more information here about Lady Bird Lake.
LAKE TRAVIS
With 270 miles of shoreline, Lake Travis is Austin’s biggest Lake. On LT you’ll see a wide variety of boats ranging from sailboats to large yachts. Devils Cove is LT’s hot spot for all cove party shenanigans. When the water at Lake Travis is at full capacity depth can reach up to 210 feet. Most homes are positioned high on the hills because of the possibility of flooding.
LAKE AUSTIN
Conveniently located less than 5 miles from downtown, Lake Austin is typically the top choice for visiting travelers due to its close proximity to downtown. It’s a constant level lake at which you can find gorgeous lake front properties right on the water. “Party Cove” at Bull Creek is shallow, but a whole lotta fun when it’s filled with other lake lovers.
22 miles long and narrow like a river, most of the shoreline has protective concrete embankments, making the lake rough during prime boating times. Thankfully, here at KAW we have tritoons in our rental fleet making cutting through the chop a breeze!
STILL UNSURE OF WHICH AUSTIN LAKE TO RENT A BOAT ON?
At the end of the day you can’t go wrong cooling off in any of the bodies of water in Austin. Whether you choose LT or LA, a pontoon or ski boat, Keep Austin Wet is here to take care of all your boat rental needs!
