Is The Hollows Resort Right for Your Trip?

The Hollows on Lake Travis is one of the most complete resort communities on the Texas Hill Country lakes. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to expect (how the amenities work, what the waterfront access is like, what time of year is best), this guide covers everything.

What Is The Hollows Resort?

The Hollows is a private, gated lakefront community on the north shore of Lake Travis, with Jonestown, Texas 78645 addresses. It covers about 1,400 acres of Hill Country terrain and 6 miles of shoreline.

What makes it different from a hotel or a standard vacation rental neighborhood: The Hollows is a full-service resort community. Guests staying in vacation rentals within The Hollows can use community amenities (the Beach Club and Trailhead Club pools, over 10 miles of trails, the Kayak Clubs, the Hilltop Smokehouse and a restaurant), with a marina right next door, that you don’t get when you rent a private home somewhere else on the lake.

The community is about 35 miles by road northwest of downtown Austin (roughly 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic), close enough for a weekend trip without feeling suburban.

The Amenities (What You Actually Get)

When you stay at a Hollows Resort vacation rental through Hill Country Lakes Rentals, you get access to the community amenities below. We register your group with the POA 72 hours before arrival (just send us everyone’s names early), every adult signs the POA waiver, and you get through the gate with the gate code we send with your check-in details or the key card at the home. Club hours are 5 AM to 10 PM.

The Beach Club

The centerpiece of The Hollows amenity package. The Beach Club (7301 Maritime Pass) sits on Lake Travis with three pools including an infinity pool, a hot tub that is heated in fall and winter (not in summer), a covered pavilion, a fitness center and Wild Hare Bar & Grill. It’s where most guests spend the bulk of their lake time.

Peak season (Memorial Day through Labor Day) gets busy on weekends, so arrive early to claim chairs by the water.

The Marina

NorthShore Marina at The Hollows, (512) 267-6222, sits next to the community and is open to the public. It has deep-water slips on floating docks and a ship store with fuel. Call the marina for current slip availability. It doesn’t rent boats; for boat and jet ski rentals, call its sister marina, VIP Marina Lake Travis in Leander, at (512) 331-5375.

For paddling, The Hollows has two Kayak Clubs with docks, where rental guests can launch kayaks and paddleboards and swim in the lake. Private kayak locker storage is for owners only.

Water levels on Lake Travis rise and fall with rainfall and drought. The lake is considered full at 681 feet above sea level, and the further below that it sits, the more shoreline access changes. If water access is a priority, check the current level at lcra.org before booking.

The Trailhead Club

The Trailhead Club (7201 Quiet Brook Place) has a lap-style pool and the children’s pool, a covered patio, sport courts for basketball and pickleball, and a playground. Pickleball at both clubs is by reservation, and the fitness center is at the Beach Club.

The Hilltop Smokehouse

An open-air pavilion at 17901 Edgewood Way with two grills, a smoker, an outdoor kitchen, picnic tables, a fire pit and restrooms, open all year. Rental guests can use it, fire pit included, first come, first served (no reservations). Personal fire pits at the homes and fireworks are not allowed.

The Restaurant

Wild Hare, the restaurant and bar at The Hollows Beach Club, is useful for nights when you don’t want to cook or drive into Jonestown, Lago Vista or Cedar Park for dinner. It is open in summer plus select off-season days, and rental guests are welcome. You can’t bring alcohol into the Beach Club, but drinks are for sale at Wild Hare.

Trails and Nature

The Hollows has over 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails through the Hill Country terrain, with views of the lake and surrounding hills. It’s a legitimate reason to stay here even when the lake level is low.

The Properties

Vacation rentals at The Hollows range from townhome-style condos to large single-family homes. Most properties are in the 2–5 bedroom range. Pricing reflects resort amenity access: you’ll pay more than a comparable non-resort property on the lake, but the access is worth it for groups that will actually use the amenities.

Most properties have private outdoor spaces such as patios and decks. Some have lake views; others back to trees. Each listing shows its own features, so check the listing for the home you’re considering.

Booking note: Minimum stays vary by home and by season. Your quote shows the minimum for your dates.

Best Time to Visit

Summer (Memorial Day – Labor Day)

Peak season. The lake is at its best, the Beach Club is fully operational, and the resort is at full capacity. Weekends in July and early August get busy. Weekday stays are noticeably quieter and often less expensive. Book at least 6–8 weeks out for summer weekends.

Fall (September – November)

The Hill Country comes alive in fall. Crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day, water temperatures are still warm enough to swim through September, and the trails are at their best. Fall is arguably the best time to visit if you want the resort experience without peak pricing and weekend crowds.

Winter (December – February)

The Hollows is open year-round. Wild Hare opens only on select off-season days, the Beach Club hot tub is heated in fall and winter, and the Hilltop Smokehouse is open all year. Great for couples or small groups wanting a quiet Hill Country retreat with trail access and evenings by the fireplace (where the home has one). Not ideal for large groups whose trip is water-centric.

Spring (March – May)

Lake levels tend to be best in spring after winter rains. The wildflower season (March–April) is spectacular throughout the Hill Country. Spring break weeks get booked early. Late April and May are ideal: the weather is warm, the lake is high, and the crowds haven’t arrived yet.

Getting There

The Hollows is in Jonestown, TX, on the north shore of Lake Travis. Use the exact property address from your booking confirmation.

From Austin: Take US-183 (or 183A) north to FM 1431, then head west on 1431 through Cedar Park and Jonestown. The main entrance is Destination Way, off 1431. Gate entry instructions are provided at booking.

From San Antonio: Plan on roughly 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on route and traffic.

Ride-share is limited out here, so plan on having a car. The closest full-size grocery store is Brookshire Brothers in Lago Vista, and Cedar Park (about 25 minutes) has H-E-B and other supermarkets.

Things to Do Nearby

On the Water

• Rent a boat: Northshore Marina at The Hollows does not rent boats; its sister marina, VIP Marina Lake Travis in Leander, (512) 331-5375, does
• Pedernales Falls State Park: About an hour and a half from The Hollows, with a designated swimming area when conditions allow

In Town

• Lago Vista and Jonestown: About 10 minutes, for local restaurants and errands
• Cedar Park: About 25 minutes, with full suburban amenities including H-E-B and a wide range of restaurants
• Round Rock: About 40 minutes, for larger shopping

Experiences

• Enchanted Rock: About 2 hours or more from The Hollows, worth the drive for a hike on the dome (reserve a day pass in advance)
• Salt Lick BBQ: About an hour and a quarter to Driftwood, the classic Hill Country BBQ pilgrimage

Practical Tips

Grocery runs: Brookshire Brothers in Lago Vista is the closest full grocery store; Cedar Park has H-E-B and more. Shopping on the way in saves a trip later.

Cell service: Coverage varies by carrier and by spot along the lake. Each listing shows whether the home has Wi-Fi.

Pets: Pet policies vary by property. Check the specific listing: some Hollows properties allow dogs, others don’t. Ask us about current community rules for dogs on trails and in common areas.

Parking: Parking varies by home type (see our FAQ). If you’re bringing a boat trailer, verify parking availability in advance.

Check-in: Most of our Hollows properties are 3 PM, though a few differ. Your booking confirmation lists the exact time for the home you’ve reserved. Check-out is 11 AM. Early check-in can sometimes be accommodated if the property is clean from a prior stay.

Still have questions? Our team knows every Hollows property personally. Reach out before you book, and we can match you to the right home for your group.