Is The Hollows Resort Right for Your Trip?

The Hollows on Lake Travis is one of the most complete resort communities on the Texas Hill Country lakes. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to expect — how the amenities work, what the waterfront access is like, what time of year is best — this guide covers everything.

What Is The Hollows Resort?

The Hollows is a private, gated lakefront community on the north shore of Lake Travis, located just outside Jonestown, Texas. It’s developed by Crescent Communities and spans several hundred acres of Hill Country terrain with direct lake access.

What makes it different from a hotel or a standard vacation rental neighborhood: The Hollows is a full-service resort community. Guests staying in vacation rentals within The Hollows get access to resort amenities — pools, a beach club, a marina, a restaurant — that you simply don’t get when you rent a private home somewhere else on the lake.

The community sits about 35–40 miles northwest of downtown Austin, making it genuinely convenient for weekend trips without feeling suburban.

The Amenities (What You Actually Get)

When you stay at a Hollows Resort vacation rental through Hill Country Lakes Rentals, your guests get access to:

The Beach Club

The centerpiece of The Hollows amenity package. The Beach Club sits directly on Lake Travis with a private beach, covered pavilion, and lounge seating. There are multiple outdoor pools including an adults-only pool and a larger resort pool with a waterfall feature. It’s where most guests spend the bulk of their lake time.

Peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) gets busy on weekends — arrive early to claim chairs by the water.

The Marina

The Hollows marina offers boat launch access, boat slip rentals, and kayak/paddleboard rentals for guests who want to get on the water without trailering a boat. The marina staff can point you toward good coves for swimming and anchoring.

Water levels on Lake Travis fluctuate seasonally. In good water years (lake at or above 660 feet elevation), the marina and beach access are excellent. Check LCRA’s current lake level before booking if water access is a priority — the current level is always listed at lcra.org.

Fitness Center and Tennis

The Hollows has a well-equipped fitness center open to resort guests, plus tennis courts. Neither draws huge crowds, which means you can usually get on a court without waiting.

The Restaurant

The Hollows has an on-site restaurant and bar — useful for nights when you don’t want to cook or drive 15 minutes to Jonestown or Cedar Park for dinner. Hours are seasonal; confirm hours before your trip, especially in fall and winter.

Trails and Nature

The Hollows has several miles of hiking and mountain biking trails through the Hill Country terrain. The trails vary in difficulty and offer good views of the lake and surrounding cedar-juniper scrubland. It’s a legitimate reason to stay here even when the lake level is low.

The Properties

Vacation rentals at The Hollows range from townhome-style condos to large single-family homes. Most properties are in the 2–5 bedroom range. Pricing reflects resort amenity access — you’ll pay more than a comparable non-resort property on the lake, but the access is worth it for groups that will actually use the amenities.

Most properties have private outdoor spaces — patios, decks, sometimes private hot tubs. Some have lake views; others back to trees. Hill Country Lakes Rentals’ Hollows properties range from studios to large homes.

Booking note: The Hollows has a minimum stay requirement for resort amenity access — typically 2 nights, sometimes 3+ on holiday weekends. This is a resort rule, not a rental rule. Confirm amenity access details at booking.

Best Time to Visit

Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Peak season. The lake is at its best, the Beach Club is fully operational, and the resort is at full capacity. Weekends in July and early August get busy. Weekday stays are noticeably quieter and often less expensive. Book at least 6–8 weeks out for summer weekends.

Fall (September – November)

The Hill Country comes alive in fall. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day, water temperatures are still warm enough to swim through September, and the trails are at their best. Fall is arguably the best time to visit if you want the resort experience without peak pricing and weekend crowds.

Winter (December – February)

The Hollows is open year-round but amenities operate on reduced schedules. The beach club and outdoor pools have limited hours or may be closed. Great for couples or small groups wanting a quiet Hill Country retreat with trail access and fire pit evenings. Not ideal for large groups whose trip is water-centric.

Spring (March – May)

Lake levels tend to be best in spring after winter rains. The wildflower season (March–April) is spectacular throughout the Hill Country. Spring break weeks get booked early. Late April and May are ideal — weather is warm, lake is high, crowds haven’t arrived yet.

Getting There

The Hollows is at 8500 Ridgestone Dr, Jonestown, TX 78645.

From Austin: Take 183 North to 1431 West. Follow 1431 through Cedar Park and Lago Vista. Turn right onto N. Lakeshore Dr / Ridgestone Dr. Gate entry instructions are provided at booking.

From San Antonio: Approximately 1.5 hours via US-281 North to 1431 West.

There’s no rideshare service at The Hollows — a car is required. From the resort gate to the nearest grocery store (an H-E-B in Cedar Park) is about 20 minutes each way. Stock up before arrival.

Things to Do Nearby

On the Water

• Rent a pontoon: Several marina operators near Lago Vista and Lakeway offer half-day and full-day rentals with delivery or trailering
• Pedernales Falls State Park: About 45 minutes from The Hollows — one of the best swimming holes in Central Texas
• Colorado River tubes: If the river is running, Bastrop is about an hour east

In Town

• Jonestown Bar & Grill: 10 minutes from The Hollows — local spot, good brisket, cold beer
• Cedar Park: 20–25 minutes — full suburban amenities including H-E-B, Costco, and a variety of restaurants
• Round Rock: About 35 minutes — if you need a mall, this is where to go

Experiences

• Twisted X Brewing: About 30 minutes toward Dripping Springs — excellent craft beer in a Hill Country setting
• Enchanted Rock: 1.5 hours from The Hollows — worth the drive for a sunrise hike on the dome
• Salt Lick BBQ: 40 minutes toward Driftwood — the classic Hill Country BBQ pilgrimage

Practical Tips

Grocery runs: The nearest full grocery store is in Cedar Park (H-E-B on 1431 near Bell). There’s a smaller convenience store in Lago Vista but it’s not a real grocery. Do your shopping before you arrive.

Cell service: Service at The Hollows is generally good (AT&T and Verizon). Starlink-based internet is available at most properties.

Pets: Pet policies vary by property. Check the specific listing — some Hollows properties allow dogs, others don’t. Resort trails are dog-friendly.

Parking: Most properties have 2-car garages plus driveway space. If you’re bringing a boat trailer, verify parking availability in advance.

Check-in: Most of our Hollows properties are 3 PM, though a few differ — your booking confirmation lists the exact time for the home you’ve reserved. Check-out is 11 AM. Early check-in can sometimes be accommodated if the property is clean from a prior stay.

Still have questions? Our team knows every Hollows property personally. Reach out before you book — we can match you to the right home for your group.