Pace Bend Park - Lake Travis

Fantastic short stay in Pace Bend on Lake Travis. We paid for the improved tent camping site but ended up switching to a site North Gracy Cove which had way better views of the river and more privacy. We still went back to use the showers and running water at the improved site though.

Gracy Cove was a great spot for a swim to cool off on a hot day. No boats allowed.

Favorite campsite rear Austin! Great drive on beach area where you can swim or lay out. If you are feeling adventurous you can go cliff jumping and rock climbing.

Campsite amenities could be better.

Pace bend is a great little spot if you’re wanting to get out of the city for the weekend. Full of hiking, fishing, cliff jumping (at your own risk), and kayaking. They have reserved sites and first come first serve.

We've been coming out here for years and it never disappoints. The best part about this park is the seclusiveness. We love the stars at night and if you get lucky enough to have quiet nearby campers the evenings are amazing with beautiful lake views. Out favorite sites in the RV loop are 5, 6, 8, and 11. The bathrooms are not amazing and it's hit or miss on getting nice park staff. They also close the gate on one side of the loop which is annoying when having to get out after hours.

Stayed here on Monday, December 21( winter solstice) 2020. There were only four other campsites taken. It was very quiet. We went mountain biking in shorts the first day and a backpack training hike the next. Nice trails. Flush toilets and shower are locked and you get the access number when you register.

Great camping spots, views and hiking

Camping, swimming, climbing, grilling. You name it. They probably have it. Great spot to throw up the hammock and hang out for the day or stay the night. Affordable, pleasant and clean. Love the state parks and this one on the lake doesn’t disappoint. Swim and boat at your own risk

Pace Bend is a great place to camp - lots of camp sites, some are secluded. You’re close to the city but far enough to feel like you’re out in nature. Beautiful views of the lake and good spots to swim and cliff jump. Some deep water soloing, places to put in kayaks and a couple of boat ramps at the park. There are a few restaurants on the road into the park (Lee’s on the Lake is fairly cheap, kid friendly, and they have delicious fried catfish). Have camped there at least 6 times and have always had a great time!

Such a great spot to spend the day or spend the night, super cheap for either. Went with some friends and we went cliff jumping into lake Travis, it was a blast!

There are lots of sites and some space between them. Nice swimming, hiking, and biking, so there is a lot to do.

Most sites have water access or are very short walk to it. Each of the “primitive” sites has a picnic table, grill, fire ring, and a bit of shade. The east side has mostly beachfront sites & the west has the cliff sites. My favorite sites are near the entrance; these sites have the best sunsets.  

Activities:

• Boating - Ramps located at Collier Cove on the west side & Tatum Cove on the east side.
• Fishing - Ask park staff for recommendations on good shore fishing spots
• Swimming - Mudd Cove, Kate’s Cove, and Gracy Cove.
• Trails – Hiking, biking, or horseback riding.

Wonderful summer time spot, plenty of drive-up tent sites (don’t settle for the first you see unless it’s a busy weekend) great cliff jumping and deep-water soloing opportunities for the seeking. Also great swimming/fishing holes. Hiking is short but nice.

This is a county park in Travis County, Texas. We stayed one week in the middle of March 2019. We decided to stay outside the campground in the dispersed area. Technically, you can camp anywhere in the park; however, we believe there are only a few decent spots for RVs. Camping is limited to 7 days in a 30-day period. We stayed at Mudd Cove Mesquite Point and found a great spot right by the lake. We were able to get level without leveling blocks after some trial and error. There were several spots in that area that would be great for a RV of any size. As of April 1, 2019, they are closing the Tournament Point area to camping, so Mudd Cove Mesquite Point will have some of the only RV spots (IMO). Those spots are off Grisham Trail. The areas down Pace Bend Road were not RV friendly. Most were a tight squeeze, and many did not have turnaround spots. Great areas in there for tent camping, but not RVs. On Grisham Trail, you will find potable water. It is easy to miss and in a horrible spot on a curve and hill. It will be on left if you are coming from the park entrance. The dump station is outside of the park, right before the entrance on the right.  Easy in and out when leaving. Since we were in the dispersed area, we relied on our solar for electricity. The area we found was perfect for that. We were able to find a nice open spot with no trees and the weather cooperated, so we had no trouble with electricity. The park was quiet and empty for most of the week. Things did pick up Thursday and over the weekend, but most people were respectful and quieted down after 11pm. We walked the trails a few times, but overall there is not a ton to do here unless you are swimming. The cost for us was $20/night. $15 for the truck and $5 for the travel trailer. Day use fees are $7 a person which is included in the camping costs. The employee working when we arrived was not friendly or helpful at all, but the other employees we encountered were very helpful and nice. Overall, we will likely not be back. The price seemed steep for no hookups and the park just didn’t offer enough for us to want to stay again.

We camped here for several days to get some rock climbing in at nearby spots. It was a great open campground for tent camping. It was quiet but slightly dusty. The bathrooms were clean and staff was nice. If you like hiking trails this is good area for it.

This place is popping during the summer with plenty of fun for the whole family. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, cliff jumping, rock climbing - you name it! It's also a great place to get away and find seclusion and some great camping spots just off of a cliff that results in some awesome sun rises and sunsets. Go during the week if you want to miss the crowds. Pet's on leases :) Cash only $10-$15

getting in can be tedious. only one way in and out and the line gets intense on holiday weekends.

tons of great little spots all around this peninsula that are right on the water. one side in particular offers some awesome cliff jumping and there’s usually a ton of people out there. the other side gently slopes into the water and has more spread out camp grounds. but you need to get there early to claim your spot because basically it’s a free for all. there isn’t a way to reserve them really.

also, critical, cash or check only for entrance. they don’t take any card.

dogs are welcome but generally kept on leash. if you’re off on your own and your dog is swimming in the water then they usually let that slide. it’s a good little spot but there’s generally too many people there for me to want to actually camp there. I personally like it to be more remote.

Pace Bend was the backdrop to many Dad and kiddo camping trips! Tent, kayak and you're ready to go. Back to nature, still close to civilization!

Lots of sites available, some more primitive but plenty to find your comfort zone. Access to the water from the majority of where we were and super fun jumping in from the cliffs.

Word of caution, water levels change so be sure there is plenty where your jumping before you jump!

Had lots of fun and having a site with a table, plenty of room for multiple tents and close to the water was great.

The lake is clean, cool and deep! Tons of primitive camping and most sites have a table and a grill...and PRIVACY! ...Depending on what side you're on, that is! I've been going there practically all my adult life and it's nice to have a place to get away that's within 30 minutes of the city!

The campsites here are well spread out and provide quick access to deep water soloing routes in Pace Bend. Just don't go in the middle of summer because it's way too hot. Even if you jump in and out of the water to cool off, it's still going to be hot. Also, the campsite I stayed at had a table. That was a nice plus.

Pace Bend is one of the few reliable parks in Central Texas and near Austin that will always have an available campsite, while all of the other prks require a reservation months in advance. You can even show up late and find a site.

Although, these sites are primitive, so not all of them have picnic tables or grills.

Also, there is great mountain biking trails, cliff jumping and swimming.

Love Pace Bend! It is only a 40 minute drive from Austin, perfect for a weekend get away. They have big camping sites, great for large groups! The park ranger are awesome! Going in the summer is a must, the water is the right tempter for swimming or boating. The only down side to this park is 9 out 10 of the toilets are drop toilets (no flush, hole in the ground)

Other then that, this park is a great fit for families, elderly people and even college groups.

Pace Bend Park is conveniently located a short distance from the city of Austin and on the shores of Lake Travis. The park is managed by the Travis County Parks Department. The entrance fee is $10 per car and the campsites are all first come first served. There are almost always campsites available, but the best campsites do get taken early. On the east side of the park there is easy beach access to the lakeshore and water. On the west side of the park there are a number of coves. Access to the water is possible by scrambling over and down rocks to the waters edge. Many people cliff jump off the cove cliffs, but be sure to test the depth of the water before jumping. Many people get injured every year jumping off the cliffs. Some of the campsites have developed pads to set up your tent. Other campsites just have clearing to set up your tent. There are ample trees available for hammock hanging. Because the park is located so close to the city many people visit the park for day use. The day time crowd can be a bit overwhelming and loud at times. At night the atmosphere generally calms down a bit. Many of the campsites have picnic tables and some have grills. A few have fire rings for campfires, but the park is removing many of the rings. Depending on the time of the year and the dryness, there is often a county fire banned in the area and park. My favorite campsites are along the west side of the park and the coves (N. Gracey Cove).

We stay at Pace Bend every time we go rock climbing in Austin. The campsites are private and there are always sites available. The campsites along the cliffs are beautiful at night.

Pace bend is a great county park surrounded by water with over 300 primitive camping spots right outside if Austin.

Plenty of camp sites to choose from with fire pits, grills, benches, and close by bathrooms. Very close to Lake Travis where there's always gorgeous sights. Would definitely recommend.

Super Flat spots! Everything is level and clean! We loved our stay at Pace Bend.

My favorite part about this campsite is the ability to cliff jump into a lake. I love the water and this campsite was perfect for me.

This is a nice spot to take advantage of what the lake has to offer. The swimming is nice, and there are some cliffs to jump off of if your into that!

It's definitely better when the lake is more full, so with all the past rain we have been having this season should be a nice time to go camp here.

Pace Bend is one of my most favorite places to camp in Texas.

Not far from the old (and new!) Backyard (a great place to see live music in the live oak capital of Texas), Pace Bend is a quick drive away. A perfect spot to pitch a bunch of tents, jump off cliffs, swim and barbeque. Maybe 45 minutes from downtown Austin (without traffic).

I won't lie the cliff diving kinda freaks me out. Be careful is all I'm saying!

There are several primitive campsites throughout the park with picnic tables, grills and toilets. Additionally there are 20 RV hook-up type sites that offer running water, electricity, restrooms and showers.