Beyond the undulating hills about 10 miles east of Marble Falls sits an unexpected sight for the rolling terrain: a beach. Shaffer Bend Recreation Area, located on the Colorado River, boasts 508 acres and the roughly milelong Lakeview Trail, which offers access to a soft, sandy shoreline along the upper reaches of Lake Travis. The inside curve of the Colorado River slows as it travels around Shaffer Bend, dropping large amounts of suspended sand along its northern bank. Because the river feeds the Gulf Coast’s ecologically sensitive Matagorda Bay, it maintains a steady flow even during severe drought. Within walking distance of Shaffer Bend’s beach, you’ll find a day-use area and 22 campsites. Come prepared, as there is no potable water nor flushing toilets at the shoreline—only well-maintained porta-potties. When most Texas lakes and beaches get busy, during school breaks and long weekends, our family has found that Shaffer Bend rarely feels overrun.
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