Lake Walter E. Long is east Austin's big city lake park

Lake Walter E. Long gives eastern Travis County a big lake setting inside the Austin park system. The City of Austin places the 1,200-acre lake in Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park at 6614 Blue Bluff Road, with open space, picnic sites, grills, walking, running, biking, sand volleyball, and restrooms throughout the park.

Check the city page before you plan anything on the water. Austin Energy is repairing Decker Dam, the lake has dropped too low for safe launches, and the boat ramp is closed. The city has said it hopes to finish the work sometime in 2027.

So treat this as a land park for now. The open space, trails, and lake scenery still make it a useful east-side option, but the official page should guide any trip that depends on boating or a ramp.