A guide to boat ramps at Lake Travis
How to launch your boat on Lake Travis
From the heart-pounding thrill of waterskiing to the peace of cruising at sunset, there’s something for everyone at Lake Travis – but you can’t experience it if you can’t launch your boat. While Lake Travis does not have any truly free public boat ramps (some of them are free but charge day-use access fees to the park), you still have affordable, accessible options for getting out on the water.
Whether you decide to use the paid boat ramps at local parks or take advantage of the premium amenities you get from renting a wet slip at a marina, here’s a full overview of your Lake Travis boat launch options.
Know before you launch – Fees and water levels
Lake Travis does not have any free boat ramps or public boat docks. You’ll need to pay a small entry fee (usually around $5) to access the public boat ramps within the local state parks, or you can join a marina to get access to a dock and other amenities.
There’s another key factor to consider when you’re looking for a Lake Travis boat launch: water levels. Lake Travis’s water levels often fluctuate due to weather conditions, like drought or flooding, as well as controlled water releases from the reservoir. When the water levels are too low or too high, you may have difficulty finding an open boat ramp on Lake Travis. We’ve noted the water level minimums for each boat ramp – be sure to check the Lake Travis water levels before you head out on the lake.
Public boat ramps on Lake Travis – Check the status before you go
The boat ramp at Mansfield Dam.
Photo credit: Travis County Parks
Lake Travis has 16 public boat ramps within parks managed by Travis County Parks, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), and the city of Jonestown.
Travis County Parks and the Lower Colorado River Authority maintain a “Boat Ramp Status” page, and several ramps are closed in summer 2026 due to flooding. We encourage you to check the status first on the Travis County Parks “Boat Ramp Status” page and on the LCRA’s “Boat ramp information” page before planning your trip.
Arkansas Bend Park Boat Ramps
Address: 16900 Cherry Lane, Lago Vista, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13, $7/day trailer parking
Minimum lake level for use: 647 feet
Hours: 24 hours
Details: Two ramps, ADA-compliant courtesy dock, restrooms, picnic tables, campsites, playground, multi-use trails
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Bob Wentz Park Boat Ramp
Address: 7144 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13
Minimum lake level for use: 653 feet
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Details: Non-motorized boats only, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, volleyball courts, designated swimming and scuba areas, showers, drinking fountains
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Camp Creek Park Boat Ramp
Address: 1221 County Road 343, Marble Falls, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $2/senior, military, and disabled, children under 12 free, LCRA parks pass available
Minimum lake level for use: 667 feet
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Details: Often closed during low water levels; restrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, campsites
Managed by: LCRA
Cypress Creek Park Boat Ramp
Address: 13601 Bullick Hollow Road, Austin, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13, $7/day trailer parking
Minimum lake level for use: 667 feet
Hours: 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Details: Often closed during low water levels, portable toilets, picnic tables, barbecue grills
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Gloster Bend Park Boat Ramp
Address: 3533 Hollingsworth Road, Marble Falls, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $2/senior, military, and disabled, children under 12 free, LCRA parks pass available
Minimum lake level for use: 662 feet
Hours: 24 hours
Details: Restrooms, picnic tables
Managed by: LCRA
Jones Brothers Park Boat Ramps
Address: 10301 Lakeside Drive, Jonestown, Texas
Cost: $20/day boat launch (non-resident), $20/day parking, residents free with decal
Minimum lake level for use: 645 feet
Hours: Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Details: Three boat ramps, restrooms, picnic areas, event facilities
Managed by: City of Jonestown
Mansfield Dam Boat Ramp
Address: 4370 Mansfield Dam Park Road, Austin, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13, $7/day trailer parking, $80 annual permit available for Travis County residents
Minimum lake level for use: 637 feet
Hours: 24 hours
Details: Deepest public boat ramp on Lake Travis, four-lane ramp, ADA courtesy dock, restrooms, playground, pavilion, designated swimming and scuba diving areas
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Address: 2820 CR 414, Spicewood, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $2/senior, military, and disabled, children under 12 free, LCRA parks pass available
Minimum lake level for use: 660 feet
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Details: Restrooms, showers, campsites, mountain bike trails, kayak and bike rentals
Managed by: LCRA
Narrows Recreation Area Boat Ramp
Address: 250 CR 411, Spicewood, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $2/senior, military, and disabled, children under 12 free, LCRA parks pass available
Minimum lake level for use: 658 feet
Hours: Currently closed for renovations (reopening summer 2026)
Details: Only public boat ramp on the south side of Lake Travis, picnic tables
Managed by: LCRA
Pace Bend Park Boat Ramps: Tournament Point, Collier Cove, and Tatum Cove
Address: 2805 Pace Bend Road North, Spicewood, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13, $7/day trailer parking
Minimum lake level for use: 664 feet (Tournament Point), 653 feet (Collier Cove and Tatum Cove)
Hours: 8 a.m. to twilight (Tournament Point and Tatum Cove), 24 hours (Collier Cove)
Details: Three boat ramps throughout the park, often open during low water levels, picnic tables, restrooms, campsites, multi-use trails
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Sandy Creek Park Boat Ramp
Address: 9500 Lime Creek Road, Leander, Texas
Cost: $5/adult, $3/senior, free for children under 13, $7/day trailer parking
Minimum lake level for use: 640 feet
Hours: 24 hours
Details: Restrooms, barbecue grills, picnic tables, campsites
Managed by: Travis County Parks
Boat ramp resources for Lake Travis boaters
Due to Lake Travis’s susceptibility to fluctuation and flood waters, we recommend saving some of these authoritative resources for up-to-date changes in lake and boat ramp access.
Travis County Parks’ “Alerts” page
Enjoy a premium experience at Northshore Marina
If keeping track of all of the different boat ramps on Lake Travis, their price, and their minimum water levels sounds like a lot, you have a simpler option: renting a wet slip at Northshore Marina at the Hollows. Northshore Marina gives Lake Travis boaters a VIP-level experience, with exceptional customer service and access to amenities like our ship store, fuel dock, pump-out barge, Wi-Fi, air-conditioned restrooms, private showers, and dock trams.
When you rent a wet slip, you don’t need to worry about trailering your boat, and you don’t have to pay every time you want to go boating on Lake Travis. If you’re a frequent boater, it can actually be more expensive to pay $5 per person every time you want to go out onto the lake than renting a wet slip – and you don’t even get half the amenities that you would at a marina.
When you rent a slip at Northshore Marina, you become part of a dynamic community of other Lake Travis boating enthusiasts, and you get access to the best the lake has to offer. Contact us today to learn more about slip rentals and the perks of being a member.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does Lake Travis have any free public boat ramps?
Lake Travis does not have any free public boat ramps. The boat ramps on Lake Travis are all located within parks managed by organizations like Travis County Parks and the Lower Colorado River Authority. You will need to pay admission (usually around $5) to use the boat ramp.
Are there any public boat docks on Lake Travis?
Lake Travis does not have any public boat docks, although there are 16 boat ramps available for launching your vessel, and some of them have short-term ADA courtesy docks, like Arkansas Bend Park and Mansfield Dam. All public Lake Travis boat ramps are located within parks that charge a small admission fee (about $5).
Which Lake Travis boat ramps are open when the water levels are low?
When the water levels are low, your best options for a boat launch on Lake Travis are the Mansfield Dam boat ramp and the Tournament Point boat ramp at Pace Bend Park. Both ramps have a minimum lake level of 631 feet, the lowest of all the public boat launches on Lake Travis.
Are there any 24-hour boat ramps on Lake Travis?
Lake Travis has 24-hour boat ramps at Arkansas Bend Park, Gloster Bend Park, Mansfield Dam, Sandy Creek Park, and Collier Cove at Pace Bend Park. Most other boat ramps on the lake are open from sunrise to sunset.
What is better: renting a wet slip at a marina or using a public boat ramp?
The answer depends on your needs. Using a public boat ramp is a more cost-effective way to launch your boat in the short term, but public boat ramps often have fewer amenities and little to no customer support. If you go boating a lot, want access to premium amenities, and/or need assistance from expert staff, renting a wet slip at a marina may be a better investment in the long term.
Still Have Questions?
The VIP Experience
Our goal as a member of the VIP Marinas family is to offer above-and-beyond customer service with a smooth and hassle-free level of convenience helping you store and stay on the lake. Our friendly and dedicated staff is always standing by to help you with storage, rentals, or finding your way around the shining water of Lake Travis.
Trusted by Lake Travis Boaters
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