Lodging, real estate, & more for the Highland Lakes area, including Lake Buchanan, Lake LBJ, and Lake Travis, can be found on menu on the left. Some of the most popular categories can also be found above.
Welcome to the Highland Lakes
The Highland Lakes are a chain of 6 man-made lakes along the Lower Colorado River as it meanders through the northwest Hill Country toward Austin. Lake Buchanan, the first and largest lake, sits over 1000 feet above sea level. Below Buchanan Dam is Inks Lake, the smallest and most protected. Then the Colorado River flows into Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, Lake Travis, and Lake Austin (500 feet above sea level) before dropping into Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) in the heart of downtown Austin.
Highland Lakes
The Highland Lakes are jewels of the Texas Hill Country well-known for their wide variety of boating, fishing, vacation and scenic experiences. Yet, each lake has its own unique character and ambience.
Lake Buchanan is big, open, breezy, clear, un-crowded, and surrounded by granite sand beaches, rocky outcroppings, waterfalls and rolling hills.
Inks Lake is small, sheltered, peaceful, protected and “constant level”.
Lake LBJ, fed by the Llano River as well as the Colorado, is long, “constant level” and winds between ranchlands and lake homes until opening wider at Horseshoe Bay.
Lake Marble Falls (no, there are no “falls” since the lake was created) is calm and protected, tucked just below the town of Marble Falls.
Lake Travis winds back and forth over 60 miles through ranchlands, then, joined by the Pedernales River, along rocky canyons with hillside homes, marinas and restaurants.
Lake Austin curves peacefully along a deep, park lined valley, well protected for smooth water sports.
Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) is not considered one of the Highland Lakes as it flows along the parks and under the bridges of downtown Austin.
Highland Lakes: Directory Listings
Additional Highland Lakes Resources
For road conditions, visit TxDot Expressway.
For local weather, visit the National Weather Service.