Hill Country Lakes Rentals — Guest Guide

The Hollows
on Lake Travis

1,400 acres of Hill Country resort on the North Shore. Beach Club, marina, four pools, ten miles of trails — and some of the clearest lake water in Central Texas. Everything you need to know before you arrive.

1,400 Acres
4 Pools
10+ Miles of Trails
1 Marina
01 — Overview

What Is The Hollows?

A gated resort community 40 minutes from Austin where the Hill Country meets Lake Travis. Not a hotel — a neighborhood of privately owned homes and villas, most with full access to resort amenities.

The Hollows on Lake Travis — also written The Hollows Resort, The Hollows at Lake Travis, or simply The Hollows — is a single 1,400-acre gated community in Jonestown, Texas 78645, on the North Shore of Lake Travis, roughly 40 minutes northwest of Austin. It is not a hotel and not a public resort: the homes and villas are privately owned, and guests stay in them as vacation rentals with community amenity access. It is in Jonestown — not Spicewood, Lago Vista, or Point Venture, which are separate Lake Travis communities.

Resort living, private home flexibility

The Hollows covers 1,400 acres on the North Shore of Lake Travis in Jonestown, Texas. The community has the amenities of a full resort — multiple pools, a Beach Club, spa, marina, and trails — but guests stay in privately owned homes and villas, not hotel rooms.

Every vacation rental we manage in The Hollows comes with community amenity access for registered guests. That means your 3-bedroom villa gets you the same Beach Club access as any resort stay.

Insider Note

The Hollows is located in Jonestown — not Spicewood or Lago Vista. When using GPS, search "The Hollows on Lake Travis" or use our address directly. The gates are on Destination Way off TX-1431.

Aerial view, The Hollows resort — Lake Travis, Texas
1,400 Total Acres
4 Community Pools
10+ Miles of Trails
40min From Austin
800ft Peak Elevation
15+ HCLR Properties
02 — Amenities

Beach Club & Resort Pools

The Beach Club is the social heart of The Hollows — four pools, a sandy beach, lakeside lounging, and resort services. All included with your stay.

Beach Club Pools

  • Infinity-edge pool overlooking Lake Travis
  • Lap pool with lap lanes (seasonal hours)
  • Resort pool with submerged lounge shelves
  • Children's splash pool with zero-entry
Year-round Heated

The Cove Waterpark

  • Water slides for all ages
  • Splash pad area for young children
  • Lazy river (seasonal)
  • Open Memorial Day through Labor Day
Seasonal All Ages

Beach & Lake Access

  • Sandy beach area at Beach Club
  • Boat ramp and lake access dock
  • Kayak and paddleboard launch area
  • Shoreline lounging chairs
Year-round Lake Travis

Fitness & Wellness

  • Full fitness center with cardio + weights
  • Spa and massage services (seasonal)
  • Outdoor yoga lawn by the Beach Club
  • Tennis and pickleball courts
Year-round Spa Seasonal

Guest Access: All HCLR vacation rentals in The Hollows include community amenity access for registered guests. Amenity wristbands are issued at check-in. Some amenities (waterpark, spa) have additional fees or seasonal hours — call us at (512) 267-7000 for current info.

03 — Marina & Water

On the Water at Lake Travis

Lake Travis is one of the clearest highland lakes in Texas. The Hollows marina and Beach Club put you on the water within minutes of your front door.

Marina on Lake Travis — The Hollows, Jonestown TX

Marina facilities

The Hollows marina has boat slips, dry storage, and a launch ramp. Kayaks and paddleboards can be launched from the Beach Club dock. Water conditions at Lake Travis vary by season — summer brings calmer mornings; afternoon winds pick up after 2pm most days.

Local Knowledge

Lake Travis is a highland reservoir — water levels fluctuate with rainfall. Check LCRA.org for current lake level before planning water activities. At or above 660 ft, the beach and boat ramp are fully accessible.

Boat & watercraft rentals

We partner with local outfitters who deliver directly to The Hollows: pontoon boats, wakeboards, jet skis, and fishing gear. Ask us at booking and we'll arrange it in advance.

64° Avg Summer Water Temp
63mi Lake Length
270+ Days of Sun / Year
04 — Trails

10+ Miles of Hill Country Trails

The Hollows has an internal trail system connecting the entire community — paved paths, gravel switchbacks, and cedar-shaded singletrack, all golf-cart accessible.

Paved Multi-Use Paths

  • 12-foot-wide paths for bikes, carts, and pedestrians
  • Connects Beach Club to all neighborhoods
  • Well-lit from the Beach Club to Hilltop areas
Golf Cart Accessible

Natural Surface Trails

  • Limestone and cedar hiking loops
  • Wildlife sightings: deer, wild turkey, fox
  • Switchback trails with lake views
  • Difficulty: easy to moderate
Hiking Pet Friendly

Hilltop Smokehouse Vista

  • Highest point in The Hollows at ~800 ft
  • Panoramic view of Lake Travis
  • Best stargazing spot in the community
  • Access via Hilltop Trail from main path
Stargazing Sunset Views

Golf Cart Tip: Renting a golf cart is the best way to experience the trail system. We offer 4- and 6-seat carts delivered to your door — see cart rates & availability.

05 — Dining

Where to Eat

The Hollows has on-site dining options plus easy access to the broader North Shore restaurant scene — all within a short drive or boat ride.

On-site: The 3 10ths

The Hollows' on-site restaurant serves casual American fare with lake views. The name references the 3.1 miles of trails and the restaurant's elevation. Hours are highly seasonal — confirm by calling 512-267-1999 before making plans around a meal here.

Poolside service

The Beach Club offers seasonal poolside snacks and drinks — typically available weekends in shoulder season and daily in summer. A great option for staying lakeside all day.

Pro Tip

Stock your rental kitchen on arrival. Jonestown H-E-B is 10 minutes away. For a full grocery run, Cedar Park's H-E-B at 1890 Ranch is 20 minutes and significantly larger.

Nearby: North Shore dining

  • Lakeside Dining (10–20 min) Sundancer Grill, Oasis Texas Brewing, Club at Comanche Trail
  • Hill Country Eats (30 min) Leander BBQ spots, Marble Falls Main Street, Burnet dining strip
  • Austin Day Trip (45 min) East 6th for dinner, South Congress brunch, Domain for a big-group night out
Full Restaurant Guide →
06 — Photography

Best Photo Spots

The Hollows has exceptional light — especially at the golden hour before sunset. These are the spots that earn the most likes.

Sunset
Infinity Pool at Dusk

The Beach Club infinity pool aligns with the sun's descent into the western hills. Best 20 minutes: 15 min before to 5 min after sunset.

Stargazing
Hilltop Smokehouse — Night Sky

Jonestown is a certified Dark Sky Community. At 800 ft, the Hilltop Smokehouse viewpoint is the best stargazing spot. Milky Way visible on moonless nights.

Golden Hour
Cedar Ridge Trail Overlook

The switchback trail east of the Beach Club opens into a limestone clearing with panoramic lake views. Best in morning light, facing southeast.

Waterfront
Beach Club Dock at Dawn

Lake Travis is glassy in the early morning before the wind picks up. The dock at the Beach Club faces east — ideal for sunrise photography over the water.

07 — Experiences

Top 10 Things To Do

From morning swims to Hill Country wine trails — the definitive list of what to do during your stay at The Hollows.

The infinity pool at the Beach Club is best before the crowds arrive. Arrive at opening (typically 8am) and you'll often have the pool to yourself with the full lake view. The water is usually calm and the light is soft — take the photos you'll want to frame.

Rent a 4- or 6-seat cart and spend an afternoon exploring the full trail system. The loop from the Beach Club up to the Hilltop and back is about 6 miles and takes 45 minutes at a relaxed pace. Stop at the Hilltop overlook — it's the highest point in the resort and the views are genuinely spectacular.

Reserve your golf cart →

Jonestown is a Dark Sky certified community. The Hilltop Smokehouse sits at 800 feet above sea level — the highest accessible point in The Hollows. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset, stay for the stars. On clear moonless nights you can see the Milky Way from this spot.

Lake Travis has some of the clearest water in Central Texas thanks to its position in the Highland Lakes chain. Rent a pontoon, kayak, or paddleboard — we can arrange delivery to The Hollows marina. Best for swimming: Devil's Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park is 45 minutes west and worth the drive.

Texas Hill Country has 50+ wineries within 90 minutes of The Hollows. Ellera at Flat Creek Estate (30 min) and William Chris Vineyards in Hye (60 min) are two of the best. Drive the 290 corridor from Johnson City to Fredericksburg for a full wine country day — plan 4–5 hours minimum.

The Cove Waterpark is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. The water slides are genuinely fun for ages 6 and up, and the splash pad area is great for toddlers. Arrive when it opens to beat the midday heat — by noon it's full and you'll want shade.

The natural surface trails through the cedar and live oak along the eastern ridge are the most scenic hiking in the resort. Wear closed-toe shoes — the limestone is sharp and there are occasional cacti. Morning or evening; avoid midday in summer when heat index can reach 105°F.

Marble Falls is 45 minutes west — a classic Hill Country small town with excellent BBQ (Opie's is the local go-to), a Main Street antique strip, and the Bluebonnet Café for pie. The drive through Burnet on 1431 is scenic all year, and spectacular in March/April during bluebonnet season.

Sail Austin operates sailboat tours and rentals from Volente Beach Marina, 15 minutes from The Hollows. The 2-hour sunset sail is our top recommendation for a special evening — BYOB, the guide narrates the lake history, and the light on the Hill Country at sunset is unforgettable.

Austin is 40 minutes south on 183/620. Barton Springs Pool (Zilker Park) is the classic Austin swimming hole — a 3-acre spring-fed pool that stays at 68°F year round. East 6th Street for dinner and nightlife, South Congress for brunch and vintage shopping. Leave by 3:30pm to beat rush-hour traffic back north.

08 — Seasons

When to Visit The Hollows

Lake Travis and the Hill Country have four distinct seasons. Each one has real advantages — and a few honest caveats.

Spring

March – May

  • Bluebonnets peak mid-March through April
  • Mild temps: 65–80°F
  • Low crowds before spring break
  • Lake typically full; hiking is ideal
  • Spring Break busy period (March)
Summer

June – August

  • Full resort season — everything open
  • Waterpark at The Cove operating
  • Hot: 95–105°F midday; swim daily
  • Book early — high demand
  • Storms possible; afternoons often windy
Fall

Sept – Nov

  • Our favorite season at The Hollows
  • Temps drop to 70–85°F by October
  • Pools open weekends through October
  • Wine country harvest season (Sept–Oct)
  • Lower rates; less competition for dates
Winter

Dec – Feb

  • Quiet, peaceful — true off-season rates
  • Hill Country hiking at its best
  • Pools and waterpark closed
  • Snowbird rates for 30+ day stays
  • Occasional freezes (plan accordingly)

Our honest pick: October is the best month to visit The Hollows. Temps are pleasant, the resort isn't crowded, fall colors appear on the limestone ridges, and wine country is in harvest. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for October weekends.

09 — Insider Tips

What to Know Before You Arrive

Fifteen years of managing properties at The Hollows — here's what we'd tell our own family before they visited.

Getting here

GPS to "The Hollows on Lake Travis, Jonestown TX 78645" or use our property address directly. The main entrance is on Destination Way off TX-1431. The guard will need your name — it's on file once your booking is confirmed.

From Austin: Take 183/620 north to TX-1431 West. The entrance is 12 miles west of 620. Total drive time: 40–50 minutes from downtown Austin, 35 minutes from the Domain area.

Cell service and Wi-Fi

Cell service in The Hollows is serviceable but not great — AT&T and Verizon are best; T-Mobile and Sprint can be spotty in the resort interior. All our rentals have high-speed Wi-Fi. Expect light Texas Hill Country conditions everywhere else.

What to bring

  • → Sunscreen (UV index is brutal June–August)
  • → Water shoes for the lake (limestone is sharp)
  • → Closed-toe shoes for hiking
  • → Bug spray (evenings in summer)
  • → Cash for tips at restaurants
  • → Binoculars for wildlife and stargazing

Amenity wristbands

You'll receive community amenity wristbands at check-in. These get you into the Beach Club, pools, and fitness center. Don't lose them — replacement cost is $25 each. Children under 12 require a parent or guardian at the Beach Club.

Important: The Hollows is a private gated community. Guests are registered with the HOA by name — unauthorized visitors cannot access amenities. If you're adding guests after booking, contact us at least 24 hours before arrival: (512) 267-7000

Ready to Book

Stay at The Hollows

15+ vacation rental homes and villas — from 1-bedroom casitas to 4-bedroom lakeside estates. All properties include community amenity access. Book direct for best rates.

Or call us: (512) 267-7000