I went stand-up paddleboarding on Lady Bird Lake last weekend. The weather was great. Lots of people. But I also saw two large boats with big engines trolling around at low speeds. They weren’t tours or rentals. It just looked like regular folks cruising the lake. Is that allowed? I thought boats with engines were prohibited on Lady Bird Lake?
It would be really cool to fire up your speedboat and cruise Miami Vice-style on Lady Bird Lake with Downtown Austin as the backdrop. But there’s one major problem. Austin has a clear rule – no gas-powered motorboats are allowed on Lady Bird Lake.
According to Austin City Code, the operation of motorized watercraft with gas-powered engines is strictly prohibited on Lady Bird Lake. No person is allowed to operate a gas-powered motor vessel on the waters of Lady Bird Lake, except with the city’s permission. Officers or employees of the city who are acting in performance of their official duties are exempt. Watercraft powered by electric motors are permitted as long as they do not exceed a capacity of five horsepower.
The bottom line is that this means no bass boats, no Jet Skis, and no high-speed pontoon parties. The ban helps keep the water clean, prevents excessive wake damage, and ensures that paddleboarders and kayakers don’t have to dodge rogue Jet Skis and boats. There is no restriction on the number of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards that can be on the lake at one time.
If you’re itching to put a big engine to work, Lake Austin and Lake Travis are just up the road. Embrace paddlecraft on Lady Bird Lake.
This article appears in March 7 • 2025.