LCRA parks staff is crediting a full Lake Travis for a 450 percent increase in visitors at Gloster Bend Recreation Area compared to last year's Easter weekend, when the level of Lake Travis was about 28 feet lower.

Despite some drizzly weather on Easter Sunday, all LCRA parks that take overnight reservations for camping, cabins and RV sites were almost fully occupied during the holiday weekend.

With higher water levels making all boat ramps accessible on lakes Buchanan and Travis, boat launching at LCRA parks was almost continuous, with many parking areas filled to capacity.

"Gloster Bend's parking area was totally filled up with boat trailers," said David Whatley, LCRA Parks manager. "Lake Travis officers patrolling on the water told us that Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area looked busier than Pace Bend Park, which is one of the most popular swim areas on the lake."

Muleshoe Bend experienced a 42 percent increase in visitors this Easter – a jump from 674 visitors at Easter 2009 to 960 visitors this year. The park is especially popular for its 6.5 miles of mountain bike trails.

"Easter weekend historically kicks off the annual recreation season for LCRA's parks," Whatley said. "Based on those visitation numbers, full lakes and mild weather, we anticipate a busy year at parks up and down the Colorado River."

While nearly all of LCRA's park reservations for Easter weekend were made weeks in advance, hundreds of people still visited the parks for day-use recreation.

Whatley said he and others believe the economy also plays a role in park visitation. "The proximity of our parks, combined with families wanting to save money, makes our parks great spots for affordable nearby getaways."

Park visitors can enjoy all types of recreation, from land-based activities such as cycling, horseshoe throwing and kite-flying, to lake activities like boating and skiing, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, swimming and just plain wading along the shoreline.
For information on LCRA's 42 parks and recreation areas along the Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast, go online to www.lcra.org/parks.

Because all LCRA parks are located on or near water, it's important to keep water safety in mind. For water safety tips and a schedule of interactive lake events, look online at LCRA's Nobody's Waterproof™ campaign at www.nobodyswaterproof.com.