| Online Store | Articles | SK Community | Advertisers | Contribute | Contact |
|
| From Bats to Bluffs Perhaps the best thing about daytripping in Austin is that you get to observe so much of what the city has to offer right from your boat. Whether you want to experience the bluffs and spring wildflowers so characteristic of this hill-country region, enjoy the city skyline, watch the bats or even get away from the hustle and bustle, it’s all available in the heart of Austin. Regular contributors Ryan and Kelly Taylor spent a year in Austin paddling Town Lake whenever possible. They are now living on the East Coast where Ryan works as a photographer and professor of biology and Kelly works as an educator for a tobacco--prevention program. Having spent most of their free time paddling Southern waters, they are looking forward to exploring the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters of the Northeast.  Austin
Trip PlannerLocated on the I-35 frontage road not far from Town Lake, they are a full-service shop offering sales, equipment and full-day rentals of both touring and sit-on-top kayaks. 512-473-2644 or 877-773-2644 www.kayaktexas.com Located on Town Lake in the Holiday Inn at I-35, this shop offers hourly rentals of both touring and sit-on-top kayaks. Operated by Austin Outdoor Gear and Guidance, Salamander’s hours of operation can vary depending on demand, and they may be unreachable by phone. If you are unable to contact them, try Austin Outdoor Gear and Guidance to see when they will be open. 512-473-2644 or 877-773-2644 www.kayaktexas.com Located on Burnet Road about seven miles from Town Lake at MoPac Blvd., this is also a full-service shop offering sales, gear and rentals of both touring and sit-on-top kayaks. 512-719-4386 or 888-828-3828 www.austinkayak.com/index.html Located on Town Lake in front of Austin High School, they offer rowing lessons and hourly rentals of sit-on-top kayaks. 512-467-7799 www.texasrowingcenter.com The PDF available at the following website offers an excellent map of Town Lake but doesn’t show the upper portion near Red Bud Isle. www.alienscooters.com/pdfs/maps/townlake.pdf This map shows the upper portion of Town Lake at Red Bud Isle. www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/parkmaps/images/trails_red_bud_isle.jpgwww.batcon.org/discover/congress.html Accommodations: Downtown Austin offers numerous accommodations that are located within walking distance of Town Lake. An online search will bring up a variety of possibilities. (There are no camping options around Town Lake.) The Austin paddling club maintains a fairly comprehensive website offering information on paddling areas, links to local paddlers’ websites, a newsletter and other information. www.austinpaddling.org |
<BACK |