You don’t have to go far to find outdoor adventure and excitement in the Highland Lakes. Check out these community, city, and Lower Colorado River Authority parks.
- Badu Park, 300 Legion Drive in Llano — Nestled along Lake Llano near historic downtown Llano, the park has a sandy beach, a swimming area, nature trails, a playground, restrooms, picnic areas, barbecue pits, a splash pad, and small boat access. You can also hook up your RV. Go to cityofllano.com or call 325-247-4158.
- Black Rock Park, 3400 Texas 261 in Buchanan Dam — This 25-acre Lower Colorado River Authority park has 18 cabins for rent, RV hookups, and an events hall. Kayak and standup paddleboard rentals are available. Enjoy fishing, swimming, miniature golf, and sand volleyball. The park doesn't have a boat ramp, but the Llano County park next door does. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-369-4774.
- Camp Creek Park, 1221 CR 343 east of Marble Falls off of RR 1431 — The park sits on the upper end of Lake Travis and offers fishing, picnicking under shady pecan trees, tent camping, and six explorer tent rentals. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366.
- Canyon of the Eagles Nature Park and Resort, 16942 RR 2341 on the northeastern shore of Lake Buchanan — A 940-acre park, 800 of those acres provide habitat for three threatened or endangered bird species: the American bald eagle, the black-capped vireo, and the golden-cheeked warbler. The park has 3 miles of lakefront and 14 miles of trails. Entrance fees. Go to canyonoftheeagles.com or call 512-334-2070.
- Cedar Point Recreation Area, 545 RR 3014 in Tow — At 310 acres, this LCRA facility is one of the largest public pieces of land on Lake Buchanan and features 3 miles of shoreline. Fish, camp, or watch wildlife. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366.
- Cottonwood Shores Community Park, 4111 Cottonwood Drive in Cottonwood Shores — This city park offers several amenities. The city also maintains Aspen Park, 4101 Lakeview Drive, and Noah Thompson Park, 4131 Lakeview Drive.
- Galloway-Hammond Recreation Center, 1601 S. Water St. (U.S. 281) in Burnet — The center is managed by the YMCA of the Highland Lakes, but there’s a bunch to do outside, including a disc golf course, a splash pad, a nature trail, sports fields, and an RV park. The YMCA of the Highland Lakes has an indoor swimming pool. Go to cityofburnet.com or ymcagwc.org.
- Gloster Bend Recreation Area, 3533 Hollingsworth Road east of Marble Falls — This 508-acre, day-use park features more than a mile of shoreline and two secluded coves on Lake Travis’ north shore. Most visitors come to use the boat ramp, which is open 24 hours. The park is ideal for picnicking, fishing, and swimming. Entrance fees. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366.
- Grelle Recreation Area, 640 CR 412 in Spicewood — This 276-acre park is wrapped around an isolated cove on the south shore of Lake Travis. With 8 miles of wooded trails, the park is ideal for horseback riding (you provide the equine) and hiking the hills with spectacular views of Lake Travis. The cove’s grassy shoreline is great for swimming and launching canoes and kayaks. Tent camping is allowed. Entrance fees. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366.
- Haley-Nelson Park, 301 Garden Trails in Burnet — You’ll find a disc golf course, walking trails, a picnic pavilion, and an amphitheater at this 51-acre city park. Go to cityofburnet.com or call 512-756-2402.
- Hamilton Creek Park, located off of U.S. 281 and Texas 29 in Burnet — Stroll along the banks of Hamilton Creek and enjoy a picnic in this city park. It also has a walkover bridge, fountains, and a playground. Go to cityofburnet.com or call 512-756-2402.
- Harmony Park, located at Third and Main streets in Marble Falls — Show off your musical talent on the contrabass, manta ray, cymbals, and other permanent, giant instruments. The designers claim you’ll never hit a wrong note. Go to ci.marble-falls.tx.us or call 830-798-6250.
- Horseshoe Bay Nature Park, 1514 Golden Nugget in Horseshoe Bay — This active conservation and restoration site offers nature educational opportunities as well walking trails, an observation deck, and a bird blind. Entrance is free. Go to hsbpark.org.
- Johnson Park, 230 Avenue J South along Backbone Creek in Marble Falls — This city park has a sand court for volleyball, a boat ramp, two children's playscapes, an off-leash dog area, shade trees, and horseshoe pits. An open pavilion is available, and restrooms are on site. Go to ci.marble-falls.tx.us or call 830-798-6250.
- Lakeside Park, 307 Buena Vista Drive on Lake Marble Falls — This popular city park features walking areas, picnic sites, plenty of green space, and a sandy beach area along Lake Marble Falls. Go to ci.marble-falls.tx.us or call 830-798-6250.
- Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area, 2820 CR 414 in Spicewood — This LCRA park is an outdoor enthusiast's mecca with a 9.8-mile mountain-biking trail (some of it fairly challenging single-track), running trails, and horseback riding (you provide the equine). Camping is allowed, and kayaks, standup paddleboards, and QuietKat electric mountain bikes are available to rent. The park is located on the shores of Lake Travis, so it's a great place to enjoy water activities. The boat ramp is accessible 24 hours a day. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366 or 1-800-776-LCRA ext. 3366.
- Narrows Recreation Area, 2550 CR 411 in Spicewood — Though small, this recreation area offers the only public boat ramp on Lake Travis’ upper south side. It also has a few picnic tables. The facility is closed at night except for the boat ramp. Fees required. Go to lcra.org or call 512-473-3366 or 1-800-776-LCRA ext. 3366.
- Pace Bend Park, 2501 Pace Bend Park Road North in the Travis County part of Spicewood — The park is ideal for picnicking, sunbathing, hiking, fishing, camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding. It also has primitive and improved campsites with picnic tables, two boat ramps, and restrooms. Entrance fees. Call 512-264-1482.
- Pedernales River Nature Park, 404 U.S. 281 North in Johnson City — This 222-acre, day-use LCRA park features shoreline fishing on the Pedernales River. The numerous trees are ideal for a picnic. The park has a 1.5-mile trail for walking and two pavilions for rent on special occasions. Swimming is not allowed. Fees required. Go to lcra.org or call 512-473-3366 or 1-800-776-LCRA ext. 3366.
- Quarry Park, 2221 N. Phillips Ranch Road in Granite Shoals — This city park wraps around Granite Shoals City Hall. It’s a great place for a walk or a bike ride. The main trail, Manzano’s Hike, Bike & Run Trail, takes its name from Olympic silver medalist and former Granite Shoals resident Leonel Manzano. A little pond is even tucked inside the park. You can also watch birds and wildlife. This is one of 19 parks you can explore in Granite Shoals with several offering lake access. Go to graniteshoals.org or call 830-598-2424.
- Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, 706 CR 343A east of Marble Falls — At 508 acres, this LCRA park has a lot to offer, including day hikes and overnight camping. It has trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, while the sandy shore offers fishing and swimming access. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366 or 1-800-776-LCRA ext. 3366.
- Turkey Bend Recreation Area, 4000 Shaw Drive east of Marble Falls — This 1,146-acre LCRA park nestled along the Colorado River arm of Lake Travis is great for fishing and camping. It doesn’t have a boat ramp, but you can launch canoes and kayaks from the park. The campsites are “unimproved,” but the views make up for it. Fees required. Go to lcra.org/parks or call 512-473-3366 or 1-800-776-LCRA ext. 3366.
- Robinson City Park, located on RR 152 along the Llano River about 2 miles west of Llano — This city park sits on 5 acres with grills, picnic tables, and restrooms. While a boat ramp is on site, motorboats aren't allowed. Other activities include volleyball, half-court basketball, a playground, hiking, fishing, bicycle and nature trails, horseback riding, horseshoes, and an 18-hole golf course next door. A pavilion and barbecue areas also are available with reservations. Go to cityofllano.com or call 325-247-4158 ext. 202.
- Wallace Riddell Park, located at the intersection of Texas 29 and Rhomberg Street in Burnet — Because of its picnic tables, a playground for children, and a baseball field, this city park is a big weekend draw. Go to cityofburnet.com or call 512-756-2402.
- Westside Park, 1610 Second St. off of Avenue Q in Marble Falls — Take advantage of a playground, a full-size basketball court, picnic areas, a fenced-in dog park, and a disc golf course that's lured golfers from across the state. Go to ci.marble-falls.tx.us or call 830-798-6250.