Austin Parks and Preserves | Nature Centers
Get back to nature at one of these State or National Parks, Preserves, or Nature Centers in Central Texas. Find locations for hiking, picnics, nature study, swimming, bird watching, camping, and other recreational activities run by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, Travis County, or the State of Texas.
Leash-free Areas, Austin Parks and Recreation
Explore the 12 areas that Austin Parks & Recreation have designated as leash-free zones for Austin dog owners.
Explore the 12 areas that Austin Parks & Recreation have designated as leash-free zones for Austin dog owners.
Allen Park, Travis County
Pack a picnic lunch or go for a hike. Get directions and a complete list of amenities for this free, 10 acre park.
Pack a picnic lunch or go for a hike. Get directions and a complete list of amenities for this free, 10 acre park.
Arkansas Bend Park, Travis County
For day use and primitive camping, park activities include fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming.
For day use and primitive camping, park activities include fishing, hiking, picnicking, swimming.
Austin Nature & Science Center
Hands-on exhibits, nature and science trails, and wildlife explorations are part of the fun and learning. They have a variety of programs for parents and children.
Hands-on exhibits, nature and science trails, and wildlife explorations are part of the fun and learning. They have a variety of programs for parents and children.
Austin Nature Preserves
Overview of Austin's many plant and animal sanctuaries.
Overview of Austin's many plant and animal sanctuaries.
Balcones Canyonlands Preserve
Thousands of acres protecting endangered species. Hike and Bike trails, watersports, picnicking, rock climbing, and other activities vary by area.
Thousands of acres protecting endangered species. Hike and Bike trails, watersports, picnicking, rock climbing, and other activities vary by area.
Bastrop State Park
Take a walk through the piney woods of this state park just outside the City of Bastrop. See pictures and learn about available activities from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Take a walk through the piney woods of this state park just outside the City of Bastrop. See pictures and learn about available activities from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Ben E. Fisher Park, Travis County
This free park has facilities for basketball, volleyball, hiking, and picnics.
This free park has facilities for basketball, volleyball, hiking, and picnics.
Blunn Creek Nature Preserves
Forty acres of woodlands and streams near Travis High School. Often used as an outdoor classroom for schools.
Forty acres of woodlands and streams near Travis High School. Often used as an outdoor classroom for schools.
Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point
Enjoy sailboating, swimming, sand volleyball at this 211 acre park. Access fee collected.
Enjoy sailboating, swimming, sand volleyball at this 211 acre park. Access fee collected.
Colorado River Wildlife Santuary
43 acres with lots of wetland habitats. Staff-guided tours available.
43 acres with lots of wetland habitats. Staff-guided tours available.
Cypress Creek Park, Travis County
During the day enjoy boating, fishing, swimming. Primitive camping also available. Fee required to access this park.
During the day enjoy boating, fishing, swimming. Primitive camping also available. Fee required to access this park.
Dave Reed Park, Travis County
This small free day use only park offers one picnic table and hiking.
This small free day use only park offers one picnic table and hiking.
Dink Pearson Park, Travis County
At this small, free park there are grills and picnic tables. Nature study, swimming, fishing, and boating is available.
At this small, free park there are grills and picnic tables. Nature study, swimming, fishing, and boating is available.
Fritz Hughes Park
Basketball courts, barbecue grills, and a playground are among the amenities at this little free park on Lake Austin.
Basketball courts, barbecue grills, and a playground are among the amenities at this little free park on Lake Austin.
Goat Cave Nature Preserve
Head to Deer Run south of William Cannon. Explore the Wade Sink sinkhole or take a tour of Goat Cave.
Head to Deer Run south of William Cannon. Explore the Wade Sink sinkhole or take a tour of Goat Cave.
Hamilton Pool Preserve, Travis County
Swim, hike, or take a guided tour. This historic swimming hole has a small lot and sometimes you have to wait to gain access so consider heading out there early in the day.
Swim, hike, or take a guided tour. This historic swimming hole has a small lot and sometimes you have to wait to gain access so consider heading out there early in the day.
Hippie Hollow Park, Travis County
It's clothing optional so only those over 18 are allowed in. In addition to nude sunbathing and skinny-dipping there are hiking trails, bird watching opportunities, restrooms, and seasonal concession stands (and you can keep your clothes on if you wish).
It's clothing optional so only those over 18 are allowed in. In addition to nude sunbathing and skinny-dipping there are hiking trails, bird watching opportunities, restrooms, and seasonal concession stands (and you can keep your clothes on if you wish).
Indian Grass Wildlife Sancutary
200 acres that is, unfortunately, closed due to poachers although some tours may be available.
200 acres that is, unfortunately, closed due to poachers although some tours may be available.
Kerrville-Schreiner State Park
This article describes the scenery and wildlife seen during a visit to this park near Kerrville.
This article describes the scenery and wildlife seen during a visit to this park near Kerrville.
Laura Reed Park, Travis County
This little tract of land has a picnic table and hiking trails.
This little tract of land has a picnic table and hiking trails.
Little Webberville Park, Travis County
Free day use park has boating, fishing, and picnic facilities. Entry point for canoes and kayaks entering the Colorado River Trail.
Free day use park has boating, fishing, and picnic facilities. Entry point for canoes and kayaks entering the Colorado River Trail.
Loop 360 Boat Ramp, Travis County
Put a boat in the water of Lake Austin. There's also a picnic table and benches at this free day use park.
Put a boat in the water of Lake Austin. There's also a picnic table and benches at this free day use park.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Offers photos and commentary on a trip to Lost Maples near Kerrville.
Offers photos and commentary on a trip to Lost Maples near Kerrville.
Mansfield Dam Park, Travis County
Find facilities for boating, scuba diving, swimming, and windsurfing; fee required. Overnight camping by reservation.
Find facilities for boating, scuba diving, swimming, and windsurfing; fee required. Overnight camping by reservation.
Mary Quinlan Park, Travis County
Free park on Lake Austin has a boat ramp, barbecue grills, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Free park on Lake Austin has a boat ramp, barbecue grills, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
Native grasslands, old pecan trees, hawks, owls, and even coyotes and bobcats are found here. Limited access and some staff-guided tours available.
Native grasslands, old pecan trees, hawks, owls, and even coyotes and bobcats are found here. Limited access and some staff-guided tours available.
Pace Bend Park, Travis County
Pay the entrance fee then enjoy boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and horseback riding at this Lake Travis park. RV and primitive camping available.
Pay the entrance fee then enjoy boating, camping, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and horseback riding at this Lake Travis park. RV and primitive camping available.
Palmetto State Park
Offers an overview of the facilities and amenities of this state park in Gonzales County, south of Austin. Find photos and links to area attractions from Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Offers an overview of the facilities and amenities of this state park in Gonzales County, south of Austin. Find photos and links to area attractions from Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Sandy Creek Park, Travis County
Birding, boating, and swimming available at this park with an entrance fee. Primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve.
Birding, boating, and swimming available at this park with an entrance fee. Primitive campsites are first-come, first-serve.
Selma Hughes Park, Travis County
This free park offers swimming, fishing, and nature study opportunities. Has barbecue grills, picnic tables, and restrooms.
This free park offers swimming, fishing, and nature study opportunities. Has barbecue grills, picnic tables, and restrooms.
Special Parks, Austin Parks & Recreation
These Austin parks of varying size have special historical significance or other note-worthy features. They include Mount Bonnell, leash-free parks, and Treaty Oak.
These Austin parks of varying size have special historical significance or other note-worthy features. They include Mount Bonnell, leash-free parks, and Treaty Oak.
Splash! Into the Edwards Aquifer
Exhibit about the science of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer.
Exhibit about the science of the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer.
St. Edward's Park, Austin Parks and Recreation
Take a photo tour and view a map for this City park along Bull Creek by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.
Take a photo tour and view a map for this City park along Bull Creek by the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve.
Tom Hughes Park, Travis County
Hiking, scuba diving, and swimming are available near Mansfield Dam. Entrance fee charged.
Hiking, scuba diving, and swimming are available near Mansfield Dam. Entrance fee charged.
Treaty Oak Park, Austin Parks and Recreation
Centerpiece of this tiny city park is the Treaty Oak, last survivor of the Council Oaks, a grove of fourteen trees serving as a temple and meeting place for area Commanches and Tonkowas.
Centerpiece of this tiny city park is the Treaty Oak, last survivor of the Council Oaks, a grove of fourteen trees serving as a temple and meeting place for area Commanches and Tonkowas.
Waterloo Park, Austin Parks and Recreation
City park in the heart of downtown has trails along Waller Creek and is site for festivals and concerts.
City park in the heart of downtown has trails along Waller Creek and is site for festivals and concerts.
Webberville Park, Travis County
This is not the same as the Webberville Park in the town of Webberville. Free park activities include hiking, basketball, volleyball, and fishing.
This is not the same as the Webberville Park in the town of Webberville. Free park activities include hiking, basketball, volleyball, and fishing.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Open for many special events and family nature walks, see some photos and get an overview of the preserve.
Open for many special events and family nature walks, see some photos and get an overview of the preserve.
Windmill Run Park, Travis County
Free park in Oak Hill has hiking, picnic facilities, and playscapes.
Free park in Oak Hill has hiking, picnic facilities, and playscapes.
Zilker Nature Preserve
At the west end of Zilker Park this sixty acre preserve has meadows, streams, trails, and a view of downtown Austin from the Overlook Trail.
At the west end of Zilker Park this sixty acre preserve has meadows, streams, trails, and a view of downtown Austin from the Overlook Trail.
Zilker Park, Austin Parks and Recreation
See photos and get facts and trivia about this major city park near Town Lake. Tour includes Barton Springs Pool, Harman Prehistoric Garden, and Zilker Botanical Gardens.
See photos and get facts and trivia about this major city park near Town Lake. Tour includes Barton Springs Pool, Harman Prehistoric Garden, and Zilker Botanical Gardens.