Lake Travis, a Texas reservoir formed by the impounding of the Colorado River in the early 1940s, is about 63 miles long and 4 miles wide. Of the lake's 270 miles of shoreline, more than 9 are part of Pace Bend Park, a Travis County recreation facility set along a curve in the snakelike reservoir's western shoreline. A haven for lovers of the outdoors, Pace Bend's limestone cliffs and rocky coves provide scenic views of the water and the surrounding Hill Country of central Texas. If you're staying overnight, the park has about 420 campsites for tents, trailers and RVs.
Pace Bend Park has 20 sought-after, improved RV campsites that include electric and water hookups, showers and vault toilets. Set above Levi Cove on the eastern side of the park, the back-in sites are mostly shaded, flat, grassy and just a short walk from the lake. Each site also has a picnic table, fire ring and barbecue grills, and an RV dump station is available near the park entrance.
Pace Bend Park also has more than 400 primitive campsites, including many scattered along the tall limestone bluffs on the park's western side, which provide views of the lake and Hill Country sunsets. Other primitive sites in Pace Bend's northern and eastern sections are near the shoreline and are a short walk from the lake's sandy or gravel beaches, where you are also welcome to pitch a tent. Most sites have plenty of oak and mesquite trees that give shade and privacy. Primitive sites have no hookups or showers, but vault toilets are available nearby.
Pace Bend's primitive campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, reservations are recommended for improved sites, which often go quickly, especially during warmer months, weekends and holidays. Each site has a two-vehicle maximum, and campers should arrive by late evening. Pets are permitted in the park, but dogs must be kept on a leash of 6 feet or less and may not be left unattended. Noisy or dangerous animals are not allowed.
Pace Bend Park has an abundance of recreational options to enjoy during your camping trip, including two boat ramps that provide access to Lake Travis. Ramps may be closed during drought periods, so check the park's website for updates before your trip. Vessels such as small boats, canoes and personal watercraft may also be launched from designated beaches. Other amenities include numerous swimming areas and trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Many trails take you into the park's interior, where you might catch a glimpse of wildlife such as foxes, raccoons, ringtail cats and white-tail deer. Fishing is another top draw, with anglers able to cast their lines from a boat or the shoreline in search of catfish, sunfish and a variety of bass.
