I've Lived in Texas for 20+ Years and This Is the Hill Country's Best Lake Town-and No, It's Not Canyon Lake

"Stretching roughly 23 miles, Lake LBJ is a constant-level lake fed by the Colorado River, offering a markedly different experience from its flashier neighbor to the east. While Austin's Lake Travis has earned a reputation as a party hub, Lake LBJ feels like its calmer, more refined counterpart-unhurried, scenic, and refreshingly serene. From the water, the views unfold effortlessly: sunlight glinting off the water's surface, shoreline homes tucked among the hills, and quiet coves that invite you to slow down. A boat tour makes it easy to take it all in-no effort required beyond sitting back, relaxing, and enjoying the view."

"Set along the southern bank of Lyndon B. Johnson Lake-better known as Lake LBJ-Horseshoe Bay feels like a bit of a mirage: it feels like a slice of the Gulf Coast tucked away neatly into the Texas Hill Country. Anchored by a sprawling lakeside resort, the town invites slow mornings, star-filled nights, and a sense of romance rarely found so close to the buzzing nearby cities of Austin and San Antonio."

Horseshoe Bay sits on the southern bank of Lyndon B. Johnson Lake (Lake LBJ) about 90 minutes from San Antonio. The town centers on a sprawling lakeside resort and offers slow mornings, star-filled nights, and a romantic atmosphere. Lake LBJ stretches roughly 23 miles and is a constant-level lake fed by the Colorado River. The lake is calmer and more scenic than nearby Lake Travis, with unhurried coves and shoreline homes. Boat tours provide easy access to the views. Horseshoe Bay Nature Park occupies former condo land and features a half-mile loop trail, an observation deck with a bird blind, benches, nesting boxes, and bee hives.

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