Published October 15, 2026Updated October 18, 20264 min readThings to do

Things to Do Near Lake Travis Rentals (Public Parks)

Quick answer

Travis County Parks runs Pace Bend Park (more than nine miles of Lake Travis shoreline, boat ramps, swim coves, camping and trails) and Mansfield Dam Park (a four-lane boat ramp, a designated swim cove and an underwater dive park). Pace Bend lists day-use fees on its page. Facts below come only from the county and state agency pages linked at the end. On BnB Search, the Lake Travis vacation rentals hub lists 238 places, 211 of them individual stays. Sources are linked at the end.

Lake Travis public parks at a glance

Pace Bend Park: 1,368 acres, more than nine miles of shoreline, 3 boat ramps, designated swim coves, improved and primitive campsites (Travis County Parks).
Mansfield Dam Park: 71 acres, four-lane boat ramp with courtesy dock, designated swim cove, scuba diving and underwater dive park, paved trails (Travis County Parks).
Operators: LCRA and Travis County Parks operate 15 parks on the reservoir, per Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Zebra mussels: Texas Parks and Wildlife lists Lake Travis as invaded; clean, drain and dry boats and gear.

Why this matters for renters: both parks are public day-use options if your rental has no private water access. Check each park page before you go; ramp status depends on lake level.

Pace Bend Park

Travis County describes Pace Bend as one of the most popular areas in the Highland Lakes region, with high limestone cliffs and rocky coves on the west side and a six-mile paved road looping the park. The interior is managed as a wildlife preserve reached by foot, bicycle or horseback.

Boat ramps at Collier Cove and Tatum Cove; motorized watercraft must use the ramps.
Mudd Cove, Kate's Cove and Gracy Cove are designated for swimming only. No lifeguard.
20 improved campsites with water and electric hookups; primitive sites in the west coves (some closed for rehabilitation when we checked).
When we checked on October 15, 2026, the page said entry and amenity fees were cash only.

Mansfield Dam Park

Set beside Mansfield Dam on the main body of the lake, this day-use park is one of the primary access points for boaters, per the county.

Four-lane boat ramp with a wheelchair-accessible courtesy dock; the ramp is listed as open 24 hours.
Designated swim cove, fishing, scuba diving and an underwater dive park with dive platforms.
Picnic sites with grills, covered shelters, a playground, chess tables and paved trails.
Access to the dam itself is not allowed.

What our Lake Travis listings show

These counts come from BnB Search's own directory data and change when listings are added or removed.

238 listings in total: 211 individual stays, 5 resorts, inns or lodging businesses, 10 rental companies, property managers or real estate offices and 12 other local listings that are not rentals.
Area tags: Lake Travis 190, Lago Vista 11, Point Venture 7, Spicewood 3. Our area tags are broad, so open the map pin to see exactly where a listing is.
Words in the stay titles: of the 211 stays, 36 mention lakefront, waterfront or lake access; 12 mention a dock; 13 mention a lake view; 23 mention a hot tub or spa; 39 mention a pool; 14 mention pets or dogs; 10 mention cabin; 5 mention condo. Hosts write these titles themselves, so confirm each feature before you book.

Browse them on the Lake Travis hub (map and filters) or in the full Lake Travis listings directory.

Before you book a Lake Travis rental

Ask your host whether the rental has private lake access or whether you will use a public park ramp or swim cove.
If you are bringing a boat, check the LCRA or Travis County ramp status before you leave; ramps open and close with the lake level.
Carry cash for Pace Bend in case the cash-only notice is still in effect.
Clean, drain and dry any boat, trailer or paddle gear before and after launching (zebra mussels).

FAQ

Can you swim at Pace Bend Park?

Yes, in the designated swim coves (Mudd, Kate's and Gracy). Travis County notes there is no lifeguard, so swimming is at your own risk.

Is there a fee at Pace Bend Park?

Pace Bend's county page lists day-use fees, and when we checked it said payment was cash only. Check each park page for current fees before you go.

Can you scuba dive in Lake Travis?

Travis County lists scuba diving and an underwater dive park at Mansfield Dam Park.

How many Lake Travis rentals does BnB Search list?

238 listings, including 211 individual stays. The rest are lodging businesses, rental companies or other local listings.

Does BnB Search book the stay?

No. Compare on the hub, then book on the site linked from the listing.

Sources

Lake Travis area facts · Lake Travis weather by month · Lake Travis vacation rentals · Austin Airport and Getting to Lake Travis