Things to Do in Lakeway City Park - Day Trip from Austin, Texas
How large is Lakeway City Park? BIG! At least as far as city parks go! It measures sixty-four (64) acres, and offers nearly two miles of connected pathway to walkers and joggers!
Curious about this place? You are in the right place! I live less than a mile down the road from Lakeway City Park and I've been visiting at least once a week for the past 7 years!
How much will it cost? It's completely free to visit, including all the facilities are free! Everything is on a first come, first served basis, so I recommend arriving early on busy weekends.
Looking for day trips near Austin, or visiting as a part of a larger Texas road trip? Sure, as you can probably tell I'm biased but I think that this beautiful park is one of the most unique and relaxing parks near Austin, and one of my favorite places to go in Texas.
Is it easy to get to? Absolutely! It's just 40 minutes north of downtown Austin which is why I think it's one of the best day trips!
First off, here are all the Lakeway City Park facilities at a glance (though I recommend reading through the end and looking at all my photos that follow):
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Sports & Recreation
- Baseball Field
- Basketball
- Mini Basketball Court
- Sand Volleyball
- Playground
- Slides
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Trails & Outdoor Activities
- Nature Trail
- Walking Trail
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Facilities & Amenities
- Grills & Benches
- Parking
- Patio for Parties
- Pavilion
- Picnic Area
- Restrooms
Plan your weekend lakeside escape here, and I promise you won't regret it. If you are from out of town, turn your day trip into a weekend getaway with a stay at Lakeway Resort and Spa, just 5 minutes from the park on the same peninsula. If you based yourself there for a couple of nights, you'll have the best outdoor fun without leaving modern comforts behind!
Set along the shores of Lake Travis, this 64-acre park is a real stands out because of the beautiful natural surroundings and how well it's maintained (by the city and local volunteers). It's a real hidden gem and many people don't realize how lovely it is.
Are there scenic lake views? Yes, just take a look at my photos. How about trails for running, walking and biking? Yes, of course. Is there enough space to run? You can count on it. My son has played soccer and football here with his school friends. There are is also a proper volleyball court that's kept very clean.
Is there a good spot for a picnic? Yes, not only do we have fire pits (of course!) but the benches are really well placed so that you get a view and shade at the same time. Lakeway City Park's an affordable day trip idea for the whole family! Just note that there are some restrictions on how many and which tables you can use if your group is very large, so be sure to look up the details here.
Can you swim at Lakeway City Park? Yes, and it's great. There are swim areas, boat access, and shaded spots to relax if you want to take a nap. Sometimes we've had algae overgrowth with signs posted - you should definitely stay out of the water then!
Personally, I enjoy walking on the nature trails (be on a lookout for the hummingbirds garden, a hidden local gem!). You can play a game of basketball or volleyball, and then cool off in the lake all in one visit.
The sunsets over Lake Travis are especially unique, making this park one of the best and truly my favorite Hill Country hideaways.
In the summer, there are special events to look forward to like movie nights and more (though usually you just stumble into one because they aren't widely advertised).
I think that Lakeway City Park is the best way to enjoy Lake Travis.
Strolling along the Paved Path in Lakeway City Park
I recommend starting with a stroll on the paved path (my #1 thing to do in Lakeway City Park) on your day trip from Austin. It loops gently through the park so chances are you'll just end up where you parked if you follow the path. There are benches along the way to relax and enjoy lake views. There are always butterflies (even when it's not migration season) which I love!
Outdoor Exercise and Bird Watching
Next highlight in Lakeway City Park is that it encourages you to stay active. Along the trail, there are many simple, functional fitness stations.
I love that you can just get inspired an workout a little if the mood strikes (my #2 thing to do in Lakeway City Park).
You'll probably come across people with binoculars pointed upward. Bird watching, it turns out, is quietly thriving here.
Cardinals, egrets, and even the occasional hawk pass through the park. There are MANY unique white bird houses just past the lower playground. There was a huge collection of birds there, quite noisy actually but it all felt very natural!
Swimming and Kayaking in Lake Travis
FYI, at the lower end of the parking lot, you can find free life vests if you are not an experienced swimmer, including smaller sizes for kids. I love that the park cares about your safety (though there were no lifeguards on duty--you need to visit the Lakeway Swim Center just 10 minutes away for that which I also highly recommend).
If you plan to kayak (my #3 thing to do in Lakeway City Park), you should definitely borrow a vest for free before you get in, just don't forget to return it for others to use.
Playgrounds and Pickleball in Lakeway City Park
My son always enjoys the park’s playground (my #4 thing to do in Lakeway City Park). There are actually two, but he's outgrown the smaller one. As soon as we park in the lower parking lot, he runs towards the playground.
There are also pickleball courts near the lower parking lot. I find that it's busy first thing but then people leave when it gets hot out.
Dog Park and Butterfly Garden
A very cool dog park (my #5 thing to do in Lakeway City Park) sits in its own shady enclave near the lower parking lot.
If you walk just past the dog park, you'll discover the best local secret: the butterfly garden.
Picnic Tables, Benches and BBQ Pits
Finally, when you get tired, you should knot that there are many picnic tables (my #6 thing to do in Lakeway City Park) tucked into thoughtful places, most have a view of the lake. The scent of smoke and sizzling sausage often drifts through the air on weekends so be sure to pack your own picnic because there are no concession stands. You don't want to go hungry especially if you have kids like mine that get cranky when hungry.
Events in the Park
Finally, the park hosts community events like movie nights (my #7 thing to do in Lakeway City Park). You can usually find upcoming park events listed on the Lakeway community website.
Lakeway City Park At a Glance
- Location Map
- Vibe: Relaxed, family-friendly, nature-wrapped
- Cost: Free entry and parking
- Hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily
Conclusion
For me, Lakeway City Park is one of the best day trips from Austin, and I think that it's a true hidden gem on Lake Travis and one of the best ways to enjoy your time on the lake. Why do I love this park? Lakeway City Park is super easy to visit, you don't need a lot of planning for a perfect day out, you just show up.
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
