Cottonwood Shores sits on the south bank of the Colorado River, right where it comes out of Lake LBJ, in southwestern Burnet County — about 4 miles southwest of Marble Falls. It’s a small city with its own police department, a volunteer fire department, and a boat ramp on both Lake Marble Falls and Lake LBJ, which is a rare setup for a town this size. People are drawn here for the scenic views, the slower pace, and prices that are still lower than a lot of other Hill Country lake towns.
I’m Robbie English, REALTOR and Broker at Uncommon Realty, and I work Cottonwood Shores regularly alongside the rest of the Highland Lakes area.
Don’t mistake the quiet for isolation, though — Cottonwood Shores has what you need for daily life, and it’s an easy drive to more if you want it.
What living here is actually like
Cottonwood Shores incorporated back in the late 1980s and has grown to around 1,400 residents. The city maintains an extensive parks system, including a nature preserve, and both boat ramps give residents access to two lakes without having to drive elsewhere to launch. Boating, fishing, and kayaking are a normal part of life here, and the rolling terrain around town works well for hiking and cycling too.
There’s also a community theater in town, which isn’t something you’d expect in a city this size — it’s one of the small things that gives Cottonwood Shores more of a real community feel than a typical lake subdivision.
Shopping, dining, and getting around
Cottonwood Shores itself has a handful of local stores and eateries, but for a full grocery run or a bigger selection of shopping, Marble Falls is just a few minutes away with all the retail and restaurants you’d expect from the county’s commercial hub. Hidden Falls Adventure Park, a well-known off-road park, is also nearby in the Marble Falls area if that’s your thing.
Is Cottonwood Shores right for you?
If you want lake access, a lower price point than Marble Falls proper, and a real sense of community without a lot of rules, Cottonwood Shores is worth a serious look. It’s also worth comparing against other Highland Lakes towns — Sunrise Beach Village if you want an older, more established lake community, Sherwood Shores for another small lake-town option, or Burnet if you’d rather be closer to the county seat. If you want a specific neighborhood over in Marble Falls itself, Stillwood Estates is one I’d point you toward.
Thinking about buying in Cottonwood Shores? Let’s talk — whether you’re after a lakefront retreat or a quieter Hill Country escape, I can help you find what’s actually available right now.
