Best Austin Area State Parks

McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park located at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek is the prime attraction of Austin area. The state park is located just 13 miles from downtown Austin. It features Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and form beautiful falls. McKinney Falls State Park includes camp sites, picnic areas, and hiking trails. The state park offers 9 miles of hiking trails has two swimming halls where you can swim: Lower McKinney Falls and Upper McKinney Falls. The park is home to historical Smith Rock Shelter used by Native Americans for hundred of years. Recreation activities at the park include hiking, mountain biking, swimming, birding and watching wildlife.

Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744

Bastrop State Park

Bastrop State Park is known for loblolly pines woodland area. The state park features 8.5 mile scenic loop through the undeveloped area. Bastrop State Park is connected to the west of near by Buescher State Park. The connecting 12-mile scenic Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher state parks is popular for biking and scenic drive through the forested areas of the Lost Pines. The swimming pool is open from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. A park entrance permit is not required to use the swimming pool. Admission to use the pool is $5 per person 13 years and older and $3 per person with park entrance permit. 12 years and under can use the pool for $3 per person. Things to do include hiking, biking, swimming, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Bastrop State Park Trails

• Piney Hill Spur - 0.3 mile
• Pine Warbler Trail - 0.3 mile
• Farkleberry Spur - 0.4 mile
• Post Oak Spur - 0.5 mile
• Scenic Overlook Trail - 1.7 miles
• Lost Pines Loop - 4.3 miles

Address: 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602

Buescher State Park

Buescher State Park located north of Smithville, Texas features 6 mile round trip hiking trail through the forest and 30-acre lake. The park is connected near by Bastrop state park via 12-mile scenic Park Road 1C. The lake offers fishing, conoeing, and boating recreation activities. The park offers rental kayak and cone with life jackets and paddles. Buescher State Park is also popular for bird watching with over 250 species of birds spotted in the park throughout the year. Things to do include hiking, biking, camping, fishing, boating, and bird watching.

Buescher State Park Trails

• Winding Woodland Trail (1.5 mile)
• Pine Gulch Trail (3.5 miles)

Address: 100 Park Rd 1-C, Smithville, TX 78957

Blanco State Park

Blanco State Park located in Blanco, Texas is popular for water recreational activities. The 105 acre park features a mile of the Blanco River that offers swimming, fishing, paddle, boating and tubing opportunities. Other activities of the park include hike, camp, picnic, and wildlife. Visitors can bring or rent kayak and tube at the park store. Camping at the park includes full hookup sites with water and electricity.

Blanco State Park Trails

• Pumphouse Trail (0.3 mile roundtrip)
• Caswell Nature Trail (0.8 mile roundtrip)

Address: 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Located about 17 miles north of Fredericksburg, Enchanted Rock is a popular giant granite dome. The rock covers about 640 acres and rises around 425 feet to an elevation of 1,825 feet. It is the largest pink granite hill in the United States. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area includes Enchanted Rock and surrounding scenery. The park features 11 miles of hiking trails. Park activities include hiking, camping, rock climbing, and scenic overlook. The 0.8 mile Summit Trail is the most popular Enchanted Rock summit trail that goes to the top of the rock and offers spectacular views of Hill Country.

Address: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park located in the Texas Hill Country region is popular in visitors for it's 70 foot spring-fed waterfall attraction. The Gorman Spring trail leading to the waterfall is 3 mile round-trip trail. Colorado Bend State Park offers 35 miles of hike and bike trails. The park also offers wild-cave tours.

Colorado Bend State Park Trails

• Dry Creek Junction - 0.3 mile
• Gorman Spring Trail - 0.5 mile
• Old Gorman Road Trail - 1 mile
• Dogleg Canyon Trail - 1.3 mile
• Spicewood Springs Trail - 1.3 mile
• Windmill Trail - 1.6 mile
• Cedar Chopper Loop - 2.3 miles
• Tie Slide Trail - 2.3 miles
• Tinaja Trail - 2.8 miles
• Spicewood Canyon Trail - 3 miles
• River Trail - 3.4 miles
• Lively Loop - 4.8 miles
• Lemons Ridge Pass - 5 miles

Address: 2236 Park Hill Dr, Bend, TX 76824