Set the alarm clocks for a very early wake-up time on Saturday, August 8 if you’d to see the awesome sight of hot air balloons launching over Lake Travis. The Central Texas Ballooning Association is hosting the 25th Annual Lake Travis Flight at Mansfield Dam Park. The balloons plan to launch at 6:45 a.m. (weather permitting). This event is free for spectators, and it usually draws quite a big crowd of people ready to “ooh and ahh” and snap photos.

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Photo from the Central Texas Ballooning Association website

Parking on the south side of the old Mansfield Dam road is free (but there is an entrance fee on the north side of Mansfield Dam Park). This is an informal event, and it’s best to have a go-with-the-flow attitude. (Wind conditions play an important part in event, of course, and if weather conditions aren’t just right, the balloons may not be able to take flight.) The balloons usually fly for about an hour. After the flight, the crews will return to the park, and you are welcome to stick around and visit with the balloonists.

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Our Content Manager at a previous Lake Travis Flight

When you arrive, please be mindful of where to park and set up your chairs and blankets because you’ll need to leave plenty of room on the grass for the balloons to layout and inflate (which takes about 15 to 20 minutes). If your children are sensitive to loud noises, be aware that the propane torches are really loud when inflating the balloons.

Be sure to check the Central Texas Ballooning Association website the night before for any updates regarding weather and estimated launch times.

Don’t forget your camera! It’s a beautiful sight!

Have fun!