Best Things to Do Near Lake Travis from Jonestown, TX

Jonestown sits on the north shore of Lake Travis, about 35 miles northwest of Austin. It’s not a tourist town in any typical sense — no downtown strip, no resort hotels — but that’s exactly why people who find it keep coming back. The lake is the amenity. Everything else is a bonus.

Here’s what’s actually worth doing when you’re staying near Lake Travis.

On the Water

Get Out on the Lake

Lake Travis is 65 miles long with over 270 miles of shoreline. It’s a proper lake — not a pond you circle in an afternoon. The clearest water tends to be in the upper (western) portions toward Marble Falls. The lower lake near Mansfield Dam is popular with wake boats and tubers.

From Jonestown and The Hollows area, you’re in the mid-lake zone: good swimming coves, enough boat traffic to feel lively on summer weekends without being gridlocked.

Boat rentals: Several operators in the area rent pontoons, ski boats, and wake boats by the half or full day. Some deliver. Your property manager (us) can recommend current operators — availability and pricing change seasonally.

Kayaks and paddleboards: The Hollows Resort marina rents kayaks and SUPs for guests staying in Hollows properties. For non-resort properties, look toward the Lago Vista marina or Viking Marina near Lago Vista.

Sandy Creek Park (Travis County)

About 15 minutes from Jonestown via 2769. Sandy Creek is a Travis County park with a boat ramp, picnic areas, and some of the best lakeside terrain on the north shore. It can get crowded on summer weekends but is far quieter than Mansfield Dam or Hippie Hollow.

Entry fee: Small vehicle entry fee (typically $5–10/day). Cash or card accepted.

Hippie Hollow

Austin’s famous clothing-optional public park on Lake Travis, about 20 minutes from Jonestown toward Mansfield Dam. It’s a Travis County park, legal, well-maintained, and a genuine Austin institution. It’s also popular — arrive before noon on summer weekends.

Pedernales Falls State Park

About 45 minutes from Jonestown toward Johnson City. This is the best swimming hole in the area when conditions are right. The Pedernales River cuts through limestone formations and pools into clear, cold water. The falls themselves are dramatic after any significant rain.

Check the TPWD website for swimming conditions before you go — flash flooding can close the swimming area on short notice.

Hill Country Day Trips

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

About 1 hour and 45 minutes west via 71. The massive pink granite dome rises 425 feet above the surrounding Hill Country. The summit hike is moderate — about 45 minutes up on the main trail — and the views justify every step.

Enchanted Rock requires timed entry reservations on weekends and holidays. Book at the TPWD website at least 2 weeks out for summer weekends; they sell out.

Johnson City and the LBJ Ranch

About 50 minutes via 71. Lyndon Johnson’s boyhood home and the LBJ Ranch (the Texas White House) are both part of the LBJ National Historical Park and worth the detour for anyone interested in Texas political history. The ranch tour is free and National Park Service rangers lead it well.

Johnson City itself is modest — small antique shops, a couple of good restaurants, and a Blanco County courthouse square that looks exactly like you’d expect.

Fredericksburg

About 1.5 hours via 71 and 290. Texas’s German Hill Country town — wine tasting, wildflowers, decent food, and Main Street shopping. On summer weekends it’s genuinely crowded; go on a weekday if you can. The National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral Nimitz Museum) is one of the best military museums in Texas and worth the detour.

The wine country along 290 between Johnson City and Fredericksburg has expanded dramatically over the past decade. Bending Branch, Duchman Family Winery, and Pedernales Cellars are consistently excellent.

Marble Falls

About 45 minutes west via 1431. Small Hill Country town on Lake LBJ (a different lake — Highland Lakes chain). Worth a trip for a few reasons: the Blue Bonnet Cafe (a genuine Texas diner institution, massive pancakes, cash-heavy, get there early), the Granite Shoals waterfront, and the sunset from the Wirtz Dam overlook.

Food and Drink Near Jonestown

Local (Within 20 Minutes)

Jonestown Bar & Grill — The neighborhood bar. Nothing fancy, cold Lone Star, reasonable brisket, full of locals. 10 minutes from The Hollows.

Gator’s on the Lake — Lakeside bar with a boat dock, near Lago Vista. Burgers, fish tacos, and live music on summer weekends. Gets crowded but in a good way.

The Oasis (via Comanche Trail) — The famous multilevel deck restaurant above Lake Travis, toward Lakeway. Go for drinks and sunset, not for the food (it’s tourist pricing for average quality). The sunset over Lake Travis from the upper deck is genuinely one of Austin’s better views.

Driving Distance (20–35 Minutes)

Salt Lick BBQ (Driftwood) — About 40 minutes via 620 and 1826. The classic Hill Country barbecue experience: open pits, family-style plates, BYOB, enormous picnic tables. Arrive early — it’s cash only and lines form fast on weekends.

Twisted X Brewing (Dripping Springs area) — About 35 minutes via 620. Hill Country craft brewing done well: good beer, huge outdoor biergarten, food truck, live music on weekends. Less touristy than downtown Austin options.

Cedar Park restaurant row (620 / 1431 intersection) — About 20 minutes. If you want chain restaurants, sushi, Thai, ramen, or anything beyond Jonestown’s local spots, Cedar Park has it all. H-E-B is here too — do your grocery run on the way in.

Sunset and Photography Spots

Oasis Overlook

The most famous lake view in the Austin area. Go at golden hour.

Mansfield Dam Park

Free to enter (Travis County). The dam itself is an engineering landmark, and the views up-lake from the parking area are excellent at sunset.

Your Rental’s Deck

Don’t underestimate this. Several of our Jonestown and Hollows properties have elevated decks with unobstructed lake views. If your property has it, sunset from your own back deck with a cold drink is hard to beat.

Tips for Planning

Weather: Lake Travis summer heat is real — 95–100°F highs are normal from late June through August. The lake is the escape. Plan outdoor activities for mornings, lake time for midday, and evenings for exploring.

Water levels: Lake Travis is a flood control reservoir, so water levels fluctuate. LCRA posts the current lake level at lcra.org. Above 670 feet, everything is great. Below 640, some marinas and coves get shallow. Check before you book if water depth matters to your plans.

Austin access: If you want Austin proper — music, food, nightlife — it’s 45–60 minutes from Jonestown (depending on traffic on 183 and 1431). An evening trip is doable; staying sober for the drive home requires planning. This is a destination to lean into the lake, not a suburban Austin hotel alternative.

Need help planning? We know the area well — the properties, the lake, the seasonal rhythms. Reach out before you book and we’ll point you in the right direction.