Posted: Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:06 AM - 10,423 Readers

By: Thomas K. Arnold

Lake Travis is a sprawling 19,000-acre lake in the Hill Country of central Texas. The lake stretches more than 63 miles long and has 270 miles of shoreline, much of it rugged wilderness. The lake, created by the impounding of the Colorado River by the Mansfield Dam between 1937 and 1941, is a popular recreation spot, particularly for water sports enthusiasts. Camping opportunities are plentiful at private RV parks and campgrounds and at public parks on the lake's shores.

Pace Bend Park
Pace Bend Park is is 30 minutes west of Austin and has more than nine miles of shoreline along Lake Travis. The west side of the park has imposing limestone cliffs, rocky coves and great sunset views of the lake. The park's campground has 20 campsites for tents, trailers or RVs, each with water and electrical hook-ups. The campground also has showers and restrooms. The grassy campsites are on the east side of the park just above Levi Cove, just steps from the lake and surrounded by shade trees. Primitive campsites also can be found all around the lake, with picnic tables, barbecue grills and fire rings scattered along the cliffs. The primitive campsites on the east and north shores of the park have sand and gravel beaches and are better suited for young families. Camping on the beach also is allowed. Pace Bend Park 2501 Pace Bend Park Road North Spicewood, TX 78669 512-264-1482 http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/pace_bend.asp

Mansfield Dam Park
Mansfield Dam Park is next to Mansfield Dam on the main body of Lake Travis. It is one of the primary access points for boaters. The park offers a variety of activities and amenities, including a central recreation area with picnic sites, barbecue grills, a playground, horseshoe pits and chess tables. The park also has dive stairs, a wheelchair-accessible ramp and four underwater dive platforms. Primitive camping is allowed on the west side of the park on the shores of the diving area. Six camping pods are available with group size limits. The campground also has restrooms and showers. Mansfield Dam Park 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Road Austin, TX 78732 512-854-7275 http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/mansfield_dam.asp

Camper Resort on Lake Travis
This popular RV park has 40 campsites with full hookups that can accommodate coaches up to 50 feet in length. The campground is so close to the water that the owners have had to evacuate three times in the last 11 years due to rising lake levels. The campground is on the Hudson Bend peninsula on the south shore of Lake Travis. Guests have access to 1,000 feet of private shoreline, a private laundry and a recreation hall with games, books and TVs. Guests also may use the adjacent West Beach Marina. Camper Resort on Lake Travis 17317 West Beach Road Austin, TX 78734 512-266-1562 http://www.camperresort.com

*  Story Contributed by: Thomas K. Arnold