Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Austin, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
22 mi northwest · Fish and Wildlife Service
This rugged terrain has spared old Ashe juniper and oak woodlands from logging and shelters some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat. The Brazos tributaries to the north cut only shallow canyons.
26 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Cedar Breaks Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
26 mi north · US Army Corps of Engineers
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
Map of 23 places loads as you scroll.
This rugged terrain has spared old Ashe juniper and oak woodlands from logging and shelters some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat. The Brazos tributaries to the north cut only shallow canyons.
Cedar Breaks Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
Jim Hogg Park sits on the north side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin.
Taylor Campground, on the banks of Granger Lake, is an excellent lakeside destination for families of all ages. The park pleases nature lovers with its hiking trail and water skiers with its easily accessible boat dock.
In the early part of the 19th century, the lower Guadalupe River Basin, below the current location of Canyon Lake, had been especially subject to serious flooding. Congress authorized in the 1940's the construction of Canyon Lake Dam.
Potters Creek Park is situated on the northern shore of Canyon Lake in the rolling hill country of South Central Texas. Cool breezes off the lake create a pleasant environment for relaxing in this scenic area.
Cranes Mill Park is located on a long peninsula on the southwestern shore of Canyon Lake in Texas Hill Country, halfway between Austin and San Antonio.
Historical sites include the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is located near the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.
Live Oak Ridge campground is located at Belton Lake close by the dam and the city of Belton.
Cedar Ridge Park campground is located on the Northern side of Belton Lake. This year-round campground accommodates both tents and RVs and has several sites with screened shelters for those who do not have camping equipment.
Winkler Park is a small, primitive campground on the northern shore of Belton Lake in Central Texas.
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken , a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie…
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
Lake Texana is formed by Palmetto Bend Dam which is feature of the Palmetto Bend Project . The lake provides over 11,000 acres of water surface and 125 miles of shoreline. Accessible from numerous roads.
Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.
These normally dry reservoirs are on the west side of Houston on both sides of I-10 at TX6. They contain the largest municipal park in the Nation and provide a unique recreational experience for the metropolitan area.
Choke Canyon Dam and and reservoir are features of the Nueces River Project . The reservoir provides a water supply for Corpus Christi, Texas.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Austin. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
A DRIVE AROUND TOWN
Austin Texas 4K Driving Tour - Live Music Capital of the World City Drive. A film shared by The Travel Docket.
Watch on YouTube ↗Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Fish and Wildlife Service), about 22 miles northwest of Austin as the crow flies. Next are Cedar Breaks Park (26 mi) and Georgetown Lake (26 mi).
Based on Austin’s average highs, November–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Reclamation. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.