Lake Lyndon B Johnson – Texas Hill Country
Lake LBJ is named after former President Lyndon B. Johnson, a Texas native, and is one of several lakes along the Texas Colorado River that constitute what is called the Highland Lakes. It’s located in the Texas Hill Country in central Texas about 60 miles from Austin. Twenty-three miles in length, the lake has several small communities such as Granite Shoals and Horseshoe Bay on its shores. One of Lake LBJ’s most attractive features is that the water level is always maintained at a constant level, and there are many rental houses near or directly on the waterfront. The vast majority offer amenities such as air conditioning, washing machines, and internet access. They also commonly feature outdoor grills for lakeside picnics and barbecues.
Water Sports
It comes as no surprise that being on the water is the number one pursuit in the Lake LBJ area; businesses that rent aquatic sports equipment are plentiful. You and your family and friends can flock to the lake to enjoy:
- Swimming
- Boating
- Sailing
- Water-skiing
- Jet-skiing
- Tubing
- Wakeboarding
Lake LBJ Marina and Yacht Club
Many of the rental houses have boat docks, but there’s also Lake LBJ Marina, one of several on the lake that offers you boat slips, dry dock storage, food service, and equipment rentals.
Fishing
Anglers of all skill levels enjoy coming to the lake for the fine crappie, largemouth bass, and white bass fishing, as well as to lure flathead, blue, and channel catfish.
Bird Watching
The Highland Lakes area in general sees plenty of migrating bird species. Great Blue Herons, Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, pelicans, ducks, and geese are often spotted; the American Bald Eagle spends the winter on nearby Lake Buchanan.
Golf
Not every pastime in the area takes place on the water. Golfing is very popular and usually comes with beautiful lake views. Blue Hill Golf has a shorter 9-hole course that both skilled and novice golfers will enjoy. Legends Golf Course in Kingsland has 18 holes on 200 acres, and there are three championship courses in Horseshoe Bay, Apple Rock, Slick Rock, and Ram Rock, all designed by golf course architect Robert Trent Jones, Sr.
Hiking
For another change of pace activity, you can travel about 45 minutes west to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. The star attraction here is the eponymous rock, a huge pink granite dome that serious hikers and rock climbers can scale to the very top for spectacular views of Hill Country. There are also easier hiking trails, and for any visitors willing to stay until after dark, the nighttime views of the sky in this rural area are unrivaled.
When to Visit
Texas Hill Country’s winters are relatively mild, with temperatures occasionally below freezing and highs reaching up into the 50s. Summers are hot, with highs frequently surpassing the 100-degree mark. On the other hand, hot weather is great if you are practicing water sports, and there’s usually a cool breeze coming off the lake. Some rainfall can be expected almost every month, but May and June are especially wet. Spring is the time to visit to see wildflowers such as Texas Paintbrush and Bluebonnets in bloom.
Reaching Lake LBJ
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport is about an hour away from Lake LBJ. Private sedans, SUVs, or limousines are one option for getting to the lake; some shuttles are shared and others offer non-stop service. All the major rental car companies have a desk at Austin-Bergstrom. Three different taxi cab companies pick you up at this airport’s arrival terminal, and Austin-Bergstrom also allows Lyft and Uber drivers to pick up fares on airport property.
