Austin area residents are fortunate in having a number of State Parks nearby. In less that 3 hours, Enchanted Rock, McKinney Falls, Inks Lake, Pedernales Falls, as well as Bastrop and Buescher State Parks are easily accessible. All of these great Austin area parks have day use and camping and are perfect spots for a fun day or weekend. You can easily find the parks on our Austin Area Campground and Lake Map and you can find and read our Austin area campground and park reviews of several of these parks to learn more about why we like them and what there is to see and do.
Keep in mind that the Austin area is home to both the Lonestar and Deer Ticks. Any time you are exploring off the beaten path, it is a good idea to use tick repellent especially if you are in long grass or brush
Bastrop State Park is located 30 miles east of Austin in the Lost Pines region, an area isolated from the
main body of East Texas pine forests by nearly 100 miles. The park has 3,503 acres and
offers an 8.5-mile hiking trail constructed through the efforts of the Texas Trails
Association and the Sierra Club. It is especially nice in winter when the yaupon hollies
are thick with berries, and in spring when the occasional dogwoods are in bloom. Campsites
range from primitive camping to cabins, and activities include hiking, backpacking, and
swimming. Showers and hookups are available. Take Texas Highway 71 east to Bastrop; turn
left on Texas Highway 95 and right on Texas Highway 21 to Park Road 1.
Buescher State Park
shares many of the characteristics of Bastrop but is generally less crowded. It is farther
east and much smaller, with 1,016 acres. A 7.7-mile hiking trail winds through the park.
Camping, hiking, and swimming are common, and restrooms, showers, and hookups are
available. Follow the directions to Bastrop State Park and continue along Park Road 1 for
13 miles to Buescher State Park. Or take Texas Highway 71 east to Smithville and turn left
on FM 153 for half a mile.
Colorado Bend State Park has a 2-mile hiking trail along Gorman Creek. This is a primitive park
with few conveniences. Take U.S. Highway 183 to Lampasas, turn left on FM 580, and
continue to the town of Bend. Follow directional signs along 6 miles of unpaved roads to
the park. Gorman Falls and Cave, one of the park's most alluring features, is open only to
guided tours, as are several other caves.
Enchanted Rock State Natural
Area One of the more unique sites, with 1,643 acres. Located
between Fredericksburg and Llano, it takes less than 3 hours to reach. The granite dome is
one of the largest of its kind in the United States, second only to Stone Mountain in
Georgia. A climb to the summit is an exhilarating experience that offers spectacular views
of the surrounding countryside. A 4-mile loop trail encircles the massive rock formations.
Other trails pass between and over the formations, and you can even crawl through a cave
that passes through them.Besides hiking, Enchanted Rock affords excellent rock climbing
and backpacking. There are walk-in campsites but no vehicular camping. Facilities include
a playground, picnic areas, showers, and restrooms. Take U.S. Highway 290 west to
Fredericksburg; turn right on RM 965 and continue 18 miles to the park.
Guadalupe River State Park as the name indicates, is located on the Guadalupe River. With 1,938
acres, this is a large park with good picnic facilities, campsites, a playground, a
day-use group facility, swimming, restrooms, and showers. Go south on IH 35 to New
Braunfels, then west on Texas Highway 46 for 29 miles.
Honey Creek State Natural Area 2,293 acres located in western Comal County, approximately 30 miles north of downtown
San Antonio. The area, once a ranch, was acquired by deed from the Texas Nature
Conservancy in 1985 and by deed from a private individual in 1988 and was opened for
limited access in 1985..
Inks Lake State Park is in Stonewall, 15 miles west of
Johnson City on U.S. Highway 290. Amenities include a group facility, hiking and nature
trails, playground, picnic areas, and a swimming pool. The park also features the Sauer-Beckmann
Living History Farm, which depicts turn of-the-century German-Texan Hill Country life.
Admission is free. The state park visitor center is the departure point for National Park
Service bus tours of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park (LBJ Ranch Unit) across
the Pedernales River.These tours are conducted daily, except Christmas Day, from 10 a.m.
to 4 p.m. and include the former president's birthplace, the Johnson family cemetery, and
an exterior view of the Texas White House on the LBJ Ranch.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is in Johnson City, 1 block south of U.S. Highway 290 on 9th Street. Tours of the...LBJ
Boyhood Home are conducted daily, except Christmas and New Year's Day, every half hour
from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are available at the nearby Johnson Settlement.
Kerrville-Schreiner State
Park has 7 miles of hiking trails through Hill Country terrain.
It's a great place to camp during the grand Kerrville Folk Festival, held every year
around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Take U.S. Highway 290 west to Fredericksburg, turn left
on Texas Highway 16 to Kerrville, and 1 mile past town turn left on Texas Highway 173.
Lake Somerville Park contains
2 first-class parks located northwest of Brenham: the Birch Creek unit on the north
side of the lake and the Nails Creek unit on the south side. Connecting them is the
21.6-mile Somerville Trailway, a unique backcountry trail that passes through dense stands
of trees, past scenic overlooks, and over water crossings. The trail is suitable for
hiking, biking, or equestrian use. The Birch Creek unit is 12 miles off
Texas Highway 36 on Park Road 57, while the Nails Creek unit is located on
FM 180, 15 miles off U.S. Highway 290.
Lockhart State Park features a playground, picnic area, swimming pool, and group facilities over a relatively
small area of 263 acres. Address: Route 3, Box 69, Lockhart, Texas, 78644.
Longhorn Cavern State Park gives daily tours of Longhorn Cavern and the museum there. Picnics are
also possible in this 639-acre park.
McKinney Falls State Park at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, draws many from
the Austin area because of its proximity. Depending on the part of town from which you are
traveling, the trip to this 640-acre park 13 miles southeast of the State Capitol can take
as little as 15 minutes or as long as 45. Hiking ranges from an easy 3.25-mile
hike-and-bike trail that loops through the park to a more rugged half-mile interpretive
trail deep in the woods through the cliffs above Onion Creek. Camping and surface
bicycling are permitted, and a playground, restrooms, and showers are available. Favorite
spots are the upper falls of Onion Creek behind the Smith Visitor Center and McKinney
Falls farther downstream. In 1981 the park was closed to swimming because of pollution
primarily from a sewage treatment plant that was later closed. Thanks to the hard work of
park officials and volunteers, swimming was resumed in 1993. It's a good idea, however, to
call the McKinney Falls Swimming Hotline first if you plan to swim.
Park office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, while the gates remain open from 8 a.m.
until 10 p.m. Take U.S. Highway 183 south to Scenic Loop Road, where you turn right. The
park entrance is on Scenic Loop 2 miles west of U.S. Highway 183. Or take William Cannon
east from IH 35; go right on Running Water, left on ColtonBluff Springs Road, and left on
McKinney Falls Parkway to the park entrance.
Monument Hill/Kreische
Brewery is a state historical site with just 40 acres where
visitors can enjoy a museum, trails, a playground, and picnics.
Mother Neff State Park the oldest state park in Texas, is roughly 100 miles from Austin. Tall
trees, shade, and relaxation await visitors to the 259 acres of this park. Picnic and camp
in the beautiful Leon River bottom, also a great place for hiking. Campsites accommodate
up to 8 persons. The nearest store is located 5 miles from the park. Bring your own
firewood. Pets must be kept on a leash. Take IH 35 north to Temple. At Temple take Texas
Highway 36 west, turn right at Texas Highway 236. After you cross Belton Lake the park
will be on your left. The address is Route 1, Box 58, Moody, Texas, 76557.
Palmetto State Park is 55 miles south of Austin on U.S. Highway 183 past Luling; turn right on Park Road 11.
Located along the San Marcos River in the post oak savannah vegetation region, the park is
named for its abundant growth of dwarf palmetto plants. Three short nature trails and a
primitive hiking trail provide a glimpse of wild irises, ferns, and other native species.
The Ottine Swamp, within the park, has unusually luxuriant vegetation and sulphur springs.
It has long drawn naturalists from all over the state. West of Austin, several state parks
offer different terrain from those to the east.
Blanco State Park a dam forms a seminatural pool that is great for swimming, especially for children.
Picnics, too, are popular, and a group facility, showers, and RV hookups are available. Great small park.
Pedernales Falls State Park is nestled in the Texas Hill Country about an hour from Austin. The
Pedernales River drops 50 feet over stair steps of layered limestone. The park features
fern-lined creeks, small canyons, huge bald cypress trees bordering the clear river,
wildlife, and numerous primitive areas. Activities include swimming, boating, camping, and
hiking. The 7.5-mile Wolf Mountain trail climbs to a high spot in the park with views of
the Hill Country below. A 5-mile trail crosses to the east side of the river (fording is
required) and passes the site of a pioneer cemetery. A short but beautiful half-mile
nature trail gives explanations of the park's plant species and ends at an overlook above
Twin Falls. Pedernales Falls State Park may be reached by traveling 9 miles east of
Johnson City on FM 2766, or by traveling west of Austin for 32 miles on U.S. 290, then
north on FM 3232 for 6 miles.
State Wildlife Management Areas nearby serve a
variety of functions. A small one, Old Tunnel, in the Fredericksburg area, is dedicated to
protecting the tunnel's bat population. The Granger Management Area has 11,120 acres in
Williamson County where restoring the prairie and salvaging the gene pool of grasses is
the focus. Somerville, near Giddings, protects a variety of native flora and fauna on its
3,189 acres.
Wild Basin Wilderness
Preserve was founded in 1974 to protect 227 acres of pristine Texas Hill
Country and to provide nature education programs. Visitors enjoy 2 1/2 miles of hiking
trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats. These habitats are
home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and
birds. Wild Basin's nature education programs are funded by special events, memberships,
corporate donations and grants.
Austin Area State Parks, Camping, & More
Austin area residents are fortunate in having a number of State Parks nearby. In less that 3 hours, Enchanted Rock, McKinney Falls, Inks Lake, Pedernales Falls, as well as Bastrop and Buescher State Parks are easily accessible. All of these great Austin area parks have day use and camping and are perfect spots for a fun day or weekend. You can easily find the parks on our Austin Area Campground and Lake Map and you can find and read our Austin area campground and park reviews of several of these parks to learn more about why we like them and what there is to see and do. Keep in mind that the Austin area is home to both the Lonestar and Deer Ticks. Any time you are exploring off the beaten path, it is a good idea to use tick repellent especially if you are in long grass or brush
Buescher State Park shares many of the characteristics of Bastrop but is generally less crowded. It is farther east and much smaller, with 1,016 acres. A 7.7-mile hiking trail winds through the park. Camping, hiking, and swimming are common, and restrooms, showers, and hookups are available. Follow the directions to Bastrop State Park and continue along Park Road 1 for 13 miles to Buescher State Park. Or take Texas Highway 71 east to Smithville and turn left on FM 153 for half a mile.
Colorado Bend State Park has a 2-mile hiking trail along Gorman Creek. This is a primitive park with few conveniences. Take U.S. Highway 183 to Lampasas, turn left on FM 580, and continue to the town of Bend. Follow directional signs along 6 miles of unpaved roads to the park. Gorman Falls and Cave, one of the park's most alluring features, is open only to guided tours, as are several other caves.
Guadalupe River State Park as the name indicates, is located on the Guadalupe River. With 1,938 acres, this is a large park with good picnic facilities, campsites, a playground, a day-use group facility, swimming, restrooms, and showers. Go south on IH 35 to New Braunfels, then west on Texas Highway 46 for 29 miles.
Honey Creek State Natural Area 2,293 acres located in western Comal County, approximately 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio. The area, once a ranch, was acquired by deed from the Texas Nature Conservancy in 1985 and by deed from a private individual in 1988 and was opened for limited access in 1985..
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is in Johnson City, 1 block south of U.S. Highway 290 on 9th Street. Tours of the...LBJ Boyhood Home are conducted daily, except Christmas and New Year's Day, every half hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are available at the nearby Johnson Settlement.
Kerrville-Schreiner State Park has 7 miles of hiking trails through Hill Country terrain. It's a great place to camp during the grand Kerrville Folk Festival, held every year around Memorial Day and Labor Day. Take U.S. Highway 290 west to Fredericksburg, turn left on Texas Highway 16 to Kerrville, and 1 mile past town turn left on Texas Highway 173.
Lake Somerville Park contains 2 first-class parks located northwest of Brenham: the Birch Creek unit on the north side of the lake and the Nails Creek unit on the south side. Connecting them is the 21.6-mile Somerville Trailway, a unique backcountry trail that passes through dense stands of trees, past scenic overlooks, and over water crossings. The trail is suitable for hiking, biking, or equestrian use. The Birch Creek unit is 12 miles off Texas Highway 36 on Park Road 57, while the Nails Creek unit is located on FM 180, 15 miles off U.S. Highway 290.
Lockhart State Park features a playground, picnic area, swimming pool, and group facilities over a relatively small area of 263 acres. Address: Route 3, Box 69, Lockhart, Texas, 78644.
Longhorn Cavern State Park gives daily tours of Longhorn Cavern and the museum there. Picnics are also possible in this 639-acre park.
Monument Hill/Kreische Brewery is a state historical site with just 40 acres where visitors can enjoy a museum, trails, a playground, and picnics.
Mother Neff State Park the oldest state park in Texas, is roughly 100 miles from Austin. Tall trees, shade, and relaxation await visitors to the 259 acres of this park. Picnic and camp in the beautiful Leon River bottom, also a great place for hiking. Campsites accommodate up to 8 persons. The nearest store is located 5 miles from the park. Bring your own firewood. Pets must be kept on a leash. Take IH 35 north to Temple. At Temple take Texas Highway 36 west, turn right at Texas Highway 236. After you cross Belton Lake the park will be on your left. The address is Route 1, Box 58, Moody, Texas, 76557.
Palmetto State Park is 55 miles south of Austin on U.S. Highway 183 past Luling; turn right on Park Road 11. Located along the San Marcos River in the post oak savannah vegetation region, the park is named for its abundant growth of dwarf palmetto plants. Three short nature trails and a primitive hiking trail provide a glimpse of wild irises, ferns, and other native species. The Ottine Swamp, within the park, has unusually luxuriant vegetation and sulphur springs. It has long drawn naturalists from all over the state. West of Austin, several state parks offer different terrain from those to the east.
Pedernales Falls State Park is nestled in the Texas Hill Country about an hour from Austin. The Pedernales River drops 50 feet over stair steps of layered limestone. The park features fern-lined creeks, small canyons, huge bald cypress trees bordering the clear river, wildlife, and numerous primitive areas. Activities include swimming, boating, camping, and hiking. The 7.5-mile Wolf Mountain trail climbs to a high spot in the park with views of the Hill Country below. A 5-mile trail crosses to the east side of the river (fording is required) and passes the site of a pioneer cemetery. A short but beautiful half-mile nature trail gives explanations of the park's plant species and ends at an overlook above Twin Falls. Pedernales Falls State Park may be reached by traveling 9 miles east of Johnson City on FM 2766, or by traveling west of Austin for 32 miles on U.S. 290, then north on FM 3232 for 6 miles.
State Wildlife Management Areas nearby serve a variety of functions. A small one, Old Tunnel, in the Fredericksburg area, is dedicated to protecting the tunnel's bat population. The Granger Management Area has 11,120 acres in Williamson County where restoring the prairie and salvaging the gene pool of grasses is the focus. Somerville, near Giddings, protects a variety of native flora and fauna on its 3,189 acres.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve was founded in 1974 to protect 227 acres of pristine Texas Hill Country and to provide nature education programs. Visitors enjoy 2 1/2 miles of hiking trails that pass through woodland, grassland, and streamside habitats. These habitats are home to threatened and endangered species, and hundreds of native plants, animals and birds. Wild Basin's nature education programs are funded by special events, memberships, corporate donations and grants.
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