New Texas Gym to Offer Indoor and Outdoor Bouldering, Yoga, and Yard Games

Climbing walls and Moon Board at Lake Travis Bouldering — Lake Travis Bouldering, a family-run facility with both indoor and outdoor bouldering terrain, is expected to open this April northwest of Austin, Texas. (All photos are courtesy of Lake Travis Bouldering)

Lake Travis Bouldering
Austin, Texas

Specs: Lake Travis Bouldering, owned by gym President Rashell Backer and Director of Operations Colin Backer, is planned to open this spring in Bee Cave, Texas, a city northwest of Austin. The gym was founded when the Backers sold the cleaning company they opened together in 2016 and were looking for their next venture. “After months of searching for the right fit, it dawned on us that we could bring our love of climbing to the Lake Travis area, an area full of health-conscious, adventure enthusiasts but lacking an indoor climbing gym for everyone to enjoy,” Colin said. The Backers decided it was an ideal time for them to open the facility because they saw “the area is growing rapidly, with many young families searching for more active things to do,” they explained. “It seemed like the right fit to bring a new gym to the area.”

The pair found a preexisting building that matched their vision and is “in the heart of Lake Travis,” they stated. “On the main highway through town, a mile from Lake Travis High School, and a half mile from the Hill Country Galleria,” the facility offered an opportunity to “build an outdoor climbing boulder as well, along with a large deck for yoga, and lawn for additional games like cornhole, all backing up to a greenbelt for beautiful hill country views from atop the boulder.” The Backers noted that they did have to make many building upgrades to increase the occupancy of the preexisting space.

More bouldering terrain at the new gym — “Austin has a vibrant and rapidly expanding climbing community as well as many outdoor enthusiasts,” the Backers observed, so it became their mission to open the first climbing gym in the Lake Travis region, providing the community with a place to climb right in town.

Lake Travis Bouldering will feature 5,000 square feet of indoor space and 4,000 square feet of outdoor space, with about 2,800 square feet of climbing terrain. Bouldering options at the new gym include a 2024 Moon Board, a boulder cave and an outdoor boulder. Other amenities include a weight training area with strength training tools and hangboards, in addition to a birthday party room, a large deck for yoga and a yard for outdoor activities.

The gym's outdoor bouldering area — In having amenities outside the facility too, the Backers hope to provide “a great space to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is nice,” they said. “In Austin, we see over 300 sunny days a year, so the outdoor space should get plenty of use.”

Walls: Eldorado Climbing
Flooring: Strati
CRM Software: Approach
Website: laketravisbouldering.com
Instagram: @Lake_Travis_Bouldering

In Their Words: “Bouldering is growing rapidly across the U.S., making this a great time to open a new gym in areas that are missing out on the excitement. Follow your passion and expect challenges.” – Rashell and Colin Backer, Owners of Lake Travis Bouldering