When we first heard about McKinney Falls State Park we liked the photos and things to do there but…read morewere generally apprehensive about paying $6 just to go to a park and swim. However, after our time there we can confidently say it's one of the best ways you can spend a few bucks here in Austin. The park itself is in a bit more of a secluded area which is nice because you truly do feel away from things. As a heads up when paying at the entrance they only take card. If you're looking to use tap to pay or cash you have to go inside in order to make that payment. The visitors center is nice though with very helpful park rangers as well as merch, drinks, and maps for you to use. Once you drive to the upper falls parking it's just a short 5 minute walk over to the swimming hole. The walk is cool as you traverse over what looks and feels like moon rock. We chose the upper falls instead of the lower falls because we heard the water here is deeper and there are less kids around. It was definitely the right choice as the water was perfect for a hot day and parts of the swimming hole are definitely 10+ feet in depth. There are a lot of places around to set up blankets and there's multiple rock formations jutting out of the water in case you need a quick break once you're in the water. The coolest part of the swimming hole is the jump you can make off the rock ledge. It's about a 15-20 foot jump and people line up in order to get there. There's also some wildlife around the pool which is cool to see. As a note, they don't allow radios or drinking and everyone was pretty respectful of that. Whether you're a young group of friends looking for a nice swim getaway or a family looking for somewhere to unwind, McKinney State Falls is a great option to beat the heat. Just make sure to layer on some sunscreen.

I've been here several times and have explored it fairly extensively. The family-friendly trails…read moreare varied enough to keep the day interesting and the time spent at McKinney Falls is never wasted. For those seeking a bit more of a challenge, crossing the river takes more thought to avoid getting your feet wet. I've usually found there are 2-3 paths at the river crossing, being careful not to slip on any rocks. The homestead beyond the crossing can be observed and appreciated, but it's off-limits to help preserve what's left. The backcountry trails total about 6 miles and it's usually just the right length for me to get a solid hike in. There is very little elevation change, though there can be a lot of mosquitos during the warmer months. I didn't find any benches to rest at and there is no water source to refill water bottles. Given that McKinney Falls is within Austin's city limits makes this state park a gem. There is also a large day-use area near the campgrounds with about 100 picnic tables and charcoal grills the last time I counted a few years ago. Parking is plenty and the rangers are friendly. Definitely either get there early or make online reservations to reserve a time slot to enter as the park can fill up fast over weekends or holidays. Their gift shop also has a variety of items for sale, and you can get a park passport stamp there too!

This is a definite must do for those who like medium to hard levels. Completing a circle can be…read morechallenging, but it worth it. Even on a hot Texas day you are in the shades, walking to an untouched nature. Nice turtle pond on the bottom to relax.

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

This was my first visit to Government Canyon. I reserved my day pass, checked in at the entrance,…read moregot my pass, and we were on our way. We drove for a few minutes to a large parking lot. There were trailhead signs on either side and both were clearly marked. We decided to start with the Savannah Loop which is approximately 2.5 miles long. There are about eight differently trails of varying levels of intensity. The trail was clearly defined and well maintained. The signs make it easy to follow the trail and find your way around. There were quite a few hikers this morning, many with pets on leashes. Everyone was pretty friendly and courteous. The trail was very peaceful and very quiet for the most part. We didn't see much wildlife, but we found some lovely views. We will definitely come back for the other trails.

Cooler morning was perfect for hiking to dinosaur tracks. Not to be missed, take overlook trail…read moreback for stunning view of canyon and the tracks.

We hit the trails at Friedrich Wilderness Park and wandered off the path for nearly four hours. The…read moreday was gorgeous - clear skies and perfect weather. During our exploring, we discovered a windmill and a cluster of old stones hidden just a few inches beneath the surface. We managed to wrap up 10 miles of hiking and climbing. This park is on my top 5 nature walk/hike in San Antonio, TX.

For people that love hiking this park provides the good quiet feel the burn hiking experience…read morebeautiful trails. I did walk some of the easygoing trail and I felt brave with my friend to go to the level 4 and 2 minutes later looking up to where we heading we got discouraged and turned around and headed back to the wimpy trail hahaha!! For fit people this is a great place to hike!! I took a look at the class room very nice setting. We had the pleasure to meet David Goree. He is the person that teaches crafts to children's and has knowledge about history of the park. He was very helpful and attentive to us. Keeping in mind that is part of the parks amenities I recommend to find information about classes and activities for children's and take time to take your children's for a great experience. The reason that I held back and gave 4stars because of the no dogs rule!!

This place is so beautiful !!! I recommend going to this…read moreplace especially when you are planning to propose to your partner . There is a nice water fall as you can see from the picture . Everything here is amazing !!!

Parking is limited here, so if you come in the middle of the day, just know it might take a minute…read more Also, there are some shaded areas, but not much, so I'd definitely recommend going on a mild weather day instead of when it's really hot. But once you're in... I was honestly struck by how beautiful it is. The stone, the flowers, the water, the koi fish... everything just flows together in a way that feels really calm and intentional. It's such a peaceful, tranquil little spot in the middle of the city. The kind of place where you can slow down without even trying. I also love that it's free. There's a small coffee shop on-site, so you can grab a drink and just sit, take it all in, and enjoy the moment. Calm. Peaceful. Serene.

A good place for outdoors activities. These include cycling, walking, running and taking pictures…read more The trails are wide and fairly easy to walk. They connect several parks where restrooms and parking are available. There are also playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts and even splash parks along the way. Dogs are also welcome. The dog stations are supplied with waste bags and trash cans. Additional benefits of coming here include fresh air, peace of mind, good aromas, wild life and beautiful sights. So if you need something to do, then stop by and get caught up In the fun. You could even meet a friend while getting a good dose of Vitamin D.

I absolutely love this trail. This trail is so extensive and pretty. This review is really for the…read moreportion of the trail in Round Rock that starts from AW Grimes and ends at Redbud Ln. I think it's important to download a map that outlines the whole trail. There are parts when you think it ends but it actually detours and continues. One of these parts is at Kenny Fort Blvd, the trail really goes an additional two miles east if you start at The Rabb House on AW Grimes. The doggo loves this trail and the shade it provides. There are some awesome benches to stop, rest and enjoy the sights and sounds of the creek. There are also plenty of poop bag stations and fountains along the way. I absolutely love these Round Rock trails and we visit often. Just be prepared for a crowd during the weekend.

I went for a run of the east side of the Brushy Creek Trail. The whole 4.5 miles and back. I ran…read morepast the awesome Play for All Abilities Park. I ran up and down Mt. Kenney Fort. I ran to the absolute dead end of the trail and back up to Joe B Freeman Park. Do you know there are no working water fountains through the entire trail? Not even in the Play for All Abilities Park were they working. Granted there's only two water stations on the whole trail, neither worked. Other than that it is a beautiful trail, a great distance, with many things to look at. It is nice to get lost in the trees as well. The day they connect the east trail to the west will be a miracle. One day... RIYL: The biggest trail in Round Rock

This was a great trail after a rainy day as it was paved throughout which is great for biking or…read morewalking . Minimal parking in the designated lot, however it's in a neighborhood so street side parking is avaliable. Multiple picnic tables and small charcoal grills throughout the trail. Very shaded trail, so perfect for a sunny day! -lots of greenery , a few glimpses of the creek below, not alot of wildflowers.

Fun little park! Ducks are cool and friendly and there are nice places to sit. If you play tennis…read morethere are nice tennis courts here too! 10/10 Ducks

New park find...Round Rock West Park. It is very scenic with lush and full green trees. There is…read morealso a lake with a fountain in the center. Surprisingly a hot day a slight breeze is flowing through the pavilion. Very pleasant... There are activities for adults and children. For the adults you can play volleyball or tennis. For children, there is a play area with slides, jungle gym and swings. We're here for a group picnic. Relaxing and super chill...

Garey Park is an absolute gem!…read more We celebrated my son's birthday at Garey Park a couple of months ago, and I can't say enough good things about the experience. From the moment we booked to the minute we packed up, everything was smooth, easy, and honestly kind of perfect. The park is stunning and has so much to do. So much space, beautiful scenery, and tons of options for kids to run wild . My son had the best time celebrating with his friends. Between the playground, splash pad, and shaded picnic areas, the kids were entertained the entire time. No one was bored, not even for a second. There's something really special about this place. It feels like you're in the middle of nature but with all the modern conveniences nearby. It made the whole party feel relaxed and joyful.

Please ignore the other reviews. Many people seem frustrated and upset about the fees, but there's…read morea good reason for them! Those fees help maintain this BEAUTIFUL park, which offers tons of activities for families with kids and dogs. The bathrooms were quite clean and stocked with toilet paper. The playground was filled with kids having a great time. We enjoyed walking the trails along the San Gabriel River, and our dogs had a blast! They even have horseback riding and zip lines, along with numerous trails to explore! We've visited free dog parks throughout Austin, Leander, and Cedar Park, and they often end up neglected and trashy! I completely understand why they want to keep this place clean and welcoming!

The tour was very nice and our tour guide Tanner was very epic and cool and made the experience so…read moremuch cooler-er. I enjoyed the puns especially the rock puns and will miss them and rocky and the chicken nugget we saw on the path. Highly recommend !!!!! :-) p.s. sneak peak of rocky

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.