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Lakeway, TX

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Canyonlands Trails

4.6 (12 reviews)
Open • 6:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Entry sign
Jackie F.

While I'm grateful for every trail that's available in the Austin area, this one isn't my favorite. But it does have potential. The first problem is the nasty sewage smell toward the entrance. Not a great start if you're looking for a little fresh air. The second problem is the bare areas abutting a neighborhood that have been stripped of all trees and brush. I'm not sure what's going on with those areas, but they are an eyesore, especially when other areas only offer views of power lines. The third problem is a handful of two- and three-way forks in the road that offer no signage or poor signage, making it easy to get lost. Luckily, we took a picture of the map at the entrance, which helped. At one point we followed a sign that said "To Mt. Lakeway" hoping for a modest viewpoint but found nothing to indicate even so much as a small hill. Oh well. That said, you can tell that some trail workers have been hard at work. The signage toward the beginning is helpful (there just needs to be more of it deeper into the trail), there are at least two beautiful bridges that are well constructed, and there are even fully fledged bathrooms toward the beginning, which few local trails have. I also spotted lots of benches for resting along the trail as well as many rescue markers, which means someone has really given this trail some love. That's why I think this trail has great potential. We didn't see a ton of people or even mountain bikers out, which was surprising for a Saturday morning. I would say you'd probably enjoy these trails more as a mountain biker than on foot.

Warbler Observation Deck

I ran and walked the three trails one afternoon- each beautiful and offered different levels of fitness. I returned another day with my little nieces and they were able to hike one trail with me in about an hour, after we had a picnic under a shade tree. At their age, the 'Cactus-Rocks Trail' was perfect. I parked by the public bathroom and trail head and the trail started there and looped us back to this same spot with plenty of trail signs and markers. There are lots of shady spots on all trails and great views, especially on the Vista Knoll Trail. You could also park in front of the Warbler observation deck and just enjoy a picnic there- with binoculars.

Tara M.

We hiked The Canyonlands Trail today for the first time and definitely enjoyed the new to us exploration but I imagine it to be so much more amazing in the Spring or Fall when the trees have leaves. Fall colors should be most beautiful! This trail is well defined with rocks or wood placed to control erosion and markers are well defined. We hiked all the way down into the canyon and got a good workout hiking back up! If you fallow Lakeway Blvd to the Swim Center you can drive through the parking lot and park on the street at the trail head or park at the Swim Center the trail head is across the street.

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9 years ago

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10 years ago

Loving the many different trails and is maintained well, at least for me!! Nice scenery and like the little dirt jump area at the top!

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Review Highlights - Canyonlands Trails

“The Lakeway Canyonlands Trails are as good as they get for this kind of riding this close to Austin.”

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River Place Nature Trail

River Place Nature Trail

4.6(253 reviews)
7.8 mi

The River Place Nature Trail is the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery and an opportunity…read morefor a great workout. The trail is known for its steep elevation changes, lush greenery, and tranquil water features. This trail is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and fitness evangelists. The trail winds through dense vegetation with a mix of wooden steps, rocky pathways, and shaded stretches. One of the biggest attractions is the seemingly endless staircase sections. Looking up from the bottom, those steps appear to climb straight into the heavens. I was mentally preparing myself for the challenge when I spotted a sign that changed everything: "Beware of Snakes. Stay on the designated trail." Excuse me...what?! Will a snake know whether or not I'm on the designated trail? I'm thinking no. Those slithering little noodles of doom that can inject venom and potentially ruin your entire day or your life? At that moment, my inner adventurer immediately became my inner safety officer. Mission status: Abort. Abort. Abort. Instead, we claimed chairs overlooking the pond and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings from a much safer distance. It was incredibly relaxing...except for the part where I spent a good portion of the time imagining snakes conducting secret meetings somewhere in the bushes. All humor aside, River Place Nature Trail is absolutely beautiful. The scenery is stunning, the atmosphere is serene, and for those brave souls who aren't distracted by reptilian concerns, it's an excellent hiking destination. As for me, I'll admire it from the comfort of a chair with a clear view of the ground. There is a fee to walk the trials. If you do not pay the fee, please feel free to donate to the trail fund. This is a very well-maintained trail.

Nice canyon trail in the middle of the neighborhood. Glad that small piece of nature is preserve…read moreinstead turning into someone's backyard. 2.5 mile one way. It said it has a lot of steps (2736) but they are not continuous so don't worry. There isn't a overlook but at the hill top u can see over the valley a little bit. I started around lunch time . 11am. 89F. Maybe because I was little sick but I drank 24fl oz of water at 2mi mark. So bring more water if u plan on going back. Which will be a 6mi total hike. I see people being kids so it is not very difficult. Scenery: currently Texas is under a drought so all the creek is bone dry as u can see in my pictures. There many different of plants u can see along the path. Flowers and berries too. $10 during peak hours which I assume is weekend. And for parking, you can just park on the street

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River Place Nature Trail
River Place Nature Trail
River Place Nature Trail - Trail

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Trail

Tom Hughes Park - Shoreline and view

Tom Hughes Park

4.2(10 reviews)
7.6 mi

It's called a park but, basically a parking lot with a porta John and a trail head leading down to…read morelake Travis. That's what a lot of these parks are. After decades of development it's getting harder to get to the lake free. I came here today to hike down to the lake which has gone from an almost all time low to almost full in a matter of weeks due to recent flooding.

Yay, a "new" place to get in the water. I'm always looking for somewhere new to go cool off in the…read morewater. A friend told me about this little park, so I headed out there. Let's start with the cons: it's seriously off the beaten path- there's nothing out there. Bring everything you need- water, food, sunscreen etc. Secondly, there is literally no beach- just rocks, lots of rocks. Lastly, it is not dog, kid, or "out of shape" friendly. You have to climb around and over all those rocks to get to the water. (Oh, and there is a fee per person, if there's someone on duty). Now the pros- it is seriously off the beaten path, which means there's parking and very few people. Secondly, the water is clear and beautiful as are the views. It is near a marina, so boaters give nice waves every so often. Lastly, I loved sitting in my float just listening to the water hit the rocky shore. Very peaceful. I enjoyed it, but it's not for everyone. Let me know if you go- enjoy!

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Tom Hughes Park - Lakes back to normal and looking good. Gonna make a lot of people happy

Lakes back to normal and looking good. Gonna make a lot of people happy

Tom Hughes Park - "Beach"...!?

"Beach"...!?

Tom Hughes Park

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Hippie Hollow Park - I guess this is where we set up camp.

Hippie Hollow Park

4.2(141 reviews)
7.8 mi

Wanted to come before the rain raised the water level again. The last rain we got, it raised it…read morequit a bit. Putting Lake Travis at 100% Not a lot of places to actually lay down and enjoy the biting of the fire ants. The water level took a lot of space away. Not complaining. I love seeing and know Lake Travis is full. I'm very happy about that. Anyway. I wanted to enjoy what little space was left before the rain Someone always talks to me or joins me and sits down and we chat about simple things. Of course they are respectful and ask if it's okay. I don't feel threatened, or being sexualized. Obviously we have the same vibe being at a nude beach. I just come on my day off from work, decompress, enjoy the water, which is gorgeous by the way. Lay out and enjoy the heat from the sun. The slight breeze, and just listen to my music and escape for a few hours. It's just my time of not adulting and just being free.

The park sits on a rugged stretch of Lake Travis, and the scenery alone is worth the trip. The…read morecliffs, the water, and the wide‑open views make it one of the more striking spots around the lake. The hike down to the shoreline is rocky and uneven, so it's not the kind of place you wander into by accident -- you earn the view a little, which honestly fits the whole atmosphere. When you arrive, the staff makes sure you understand the rules, especially the one about no sexual activity. They're clear, direct, and they repeat it enough times that you'd think no one could possibly forget. And yet, once you're inside, you occasionally encounter someone who seems to have the memory retention of a goldfish or the attention span of a distracted squirrel. Thankfully, the vibe of the park is mellow enough that these moments are more eye‑roll than incident. The crowd is a mix of regulars who clearly know the place well and visitors who show up curious or just wanting a quiet spot by the water. The atmosphere is laid‑back, nonjudgmental, and surprisingly calm. Even with the clothing‑optional reputation, it doesn't feel chaotic or wild; it's more like a group of people who collectively decided they're done pretending swimsuits are mandatory. The water access is great once you get down there, and the rocky shoreline gives you plenty of places to set up without feeling crowded. The views across Lake Travis are some of the best you'll get without renting a boat or owning one of the massive houses perched above the lake. If you're looking for a typical beach park, this isn't it. But if you want a quiet, scenic spot with a very specific kind of freedom baked into its identity, Hippy Hollow delivers exactly what it promises.

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Hippie Hollow Park
Hippie Hollow Park - Mansfield dam

Mansfield dam

Hippie Hollow Park - Going down trail 1 again

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Going down trail 1 again

Longhorn Cavern State Park - Cave

Longhorn Cavern State Park

4.6(402 reviews)
31.2 mi

Pictures don't do this place justice!…read more On this beautiful Saturday, I was seeking adventure! This tour is such an amazing deal. My tour guide Eryn was amazing and so funny. Caves are so interesting and there is so much to learn about them . Longhorn Cavern offer 3 different tour options. The cavern walking tour is just like a casual walking tour. The black light tour is where you wear hard hats and walk with a light. The Wild Cave tour is for the extreme explorers who are okay with tight spaces . I chose the cavern walking tour. I highly recommend shoes that have a tight grip. The gift shop has really good options for keepsakes. Also, if you get thirst drinks are available to purchase. I saw a section for pizza, but it was sold out. I had amazing time during my visit. The cave is beautiful and there is so much to see.

This isn't the best caverns I've visited within a Texas State Park, but it is pretty darn cool. The…read morebest caverns tour is at Kickapoo Caverns. I did a wild cave tour without the extra charges that Longhorn collects. At Longhorn, our guide, Johnson did an amazing job with our small group of six people for the 10:45 AM tour. My brother and I initially registered for the 11:00 AM tour and am glad that we were suggested another time. We passed by the 11:00 AM tour and they had 40+ people in their group. Johnson showed us cool geological formations. We saw dolomite, calcium bicarbonate, chert, limestone, geodes, stalagmites, stalactites, and quartz crystals. Johnson is somewhat funny; he had a bit of quirky and dry humor. I enjoyed the history of the caverns, but some of it I thought was interesting. It was really delightful to learn that in the 1800's, before the CCC got involved, the locals would dance and play music turning the cave into an auditorium of entertainment. Johnson said that if certain geological formations glows, it is growing. Very catchy phase for memory. I got to see a few bats hanging out. They were tricolor bats which are smallest bats. The cave is cool, but thankfully not slippery. I was wearing no grip support shoes, but I didn't fall or have the urge to fall. There are mats on the floor of the cave to prevent falls. Johnson gave us more time to look around and admire the geology. My brother and I weren't required to bring our own flashlights. Johnson had a flashlight, but forgot to grab the blacklights. What I find is strange is that this is a state park that you cannot renew your state park pass at. This park headquarters is very different than the rest considering that there's a third party company handing the cave tours, they sell ice-cees, popcorn, and the gift shop is very big and vast. The others don't have this. It is questionable to me. I was told that I needed to go to Inks Lake to renew my pass. The cave tours are very pricey. Kickapoo Caverns tour was very affordable at $10. You can use the park pass. You can't get your state park passport stamped at Longhorn Caverns either. It seems like Longhorn Caverns is more for profit and the history about the cavern could be overly exaggerated to attract customers. My opinion. It was hard to believe half of the things what Johnson was telling us. There's one portion of geological formation in the cave that is "dead" because in year 1919, the locals went exploring by touching the formation it "killed" it. I preferred Kickapoo Caverns and the Caverns of Sonora a lot more. Even Inner Space Caverns and Natural Bridge were very exciting to see. Longhorn is cool, but didn't give me that WOW-factor, but I still had a ton of fun on a Sunday morning.

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Longhorn Cavern State Park - Cave

Cave

Longhorn Cavern State Park
Longhorn Cavern State Park - Beautiful

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Beautiful

Canyonlands Trails - hiking - Updated October 2026

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