Splash Days Austin 2023

SPLASH DAYS AUSTIN 2023

Splash Days Austin is a Labor day weekend party raising funds from the LGBT community in Texas. It is the hottest and sexiest party in the lone star state!

• Austin is a popular Labor Day Weekend Escape, so book early. We recommend you stay in the downtown district. Guests love the Fairmont Austin giving the hotel a “Superb” rating with a stunning rooftop pool and features spacious rooms and a central location.

Splash Days

• Each year, during the Labor Day Weekend, the people of Austin head to the lake at Hippy Hollow to escape the heat and cool down in one of the few nudist-friendly bathing areas in Texas.
• The gay exodus to Hippy Hollow is known as Splash Days, a one-day trip to Lake Travis, that has since morphed into a weekend of circuit parties, drag brunches and barge parties. 
• The gay section of Lake Travis is at the very end of the park. Keep on the paved walkway until it runs out … and you’re at the gay area.
• Stay right by lake travis – check out the hotels closest to the party.

Barges and Wristbands

• Each year, several of Austin’s gay bars come together, load up a couple of barges with booze, bartenders and deejays, and head out to the cove.
• If you want to grab drinks from the party barge, you’ll need to grab a wristband from one of the sponsor bars.
• The barges are typically at Hippie Hollow from 10 AM to 4 PM. Times can vary each year, depending on lake levels.
• plash party at the lake is open to everyone, 18 and up – that’s the rule at Hippie Hollow.
• Note – this year the barges will host events on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

The Weekend Parties

• Enjoy international guest DJs, Drag Brunches and more during a weekend of celebrations for Austin Splash Weekend. The following venues host some of the busiest events:
• The Iron Bear from 10 pm to 2 am with DJ Crail Bench. It’s the only bear bar in town and doesn’t care if you’re a bear; cubs, otters, wolves, and everyone else is welcome here, too.
• RAIN on 4th, one of Austin’s busiest gay clubs, with the sexiest DJs blasting pop remixes, a light-up dance floor and weekly amateur strip-off competitions.

The Park – Hippie Hollow

• Hippie Hollow Park is located on the shores of Lake Travis in western Travis County, approximately 20 miles from downtown Austin. It is usually a 30-minute drive, depending on traffic. If driving, use the address 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732 on your navigation app.
• Entry to the party is free, BUT there is a fee to get into the park. It’s $15 per vehicle if you drive in or $8 per person if you walk or bike in. Cash or check only, no credit/debit cards.
• There is no fee if you come off the lake on a boat. Please note that Hippie Hollow Park generally reaches capacity on holiday weekends.
• The park is closed for the remainder of the day when at capacity. So don’t be surprised if you’re turned away at the gate when you show up late in the afternoon.

Where to stay during the Austin Splash Weekend

Most of the gay bars are located in Downtown and you can walk from one to the other. The following hotels are currently trending with our readers:

JW Marriott Austin,    Otis Hotel,    Austin Motel,    Hotel ZaZa