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    Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

    3.9 (34 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Trenna H.

    If you don't get here early, parking can be a hassle. Then you have about a 5-8 min walk through some trees till you reach the opening. Getting there early is key to getting a shaded spot along the shore. If you can't arrive early, I would highly suggest bringing some sort of shaded structure because there aren't many places with shade as it's mostly an open field. As for the water, it feels a lot cleaner here than town lake and it's not nearly as crowded. Bring your paddle board or a float and just enjoy the water and watch the boats go buy. It's nice packing snacks and games and just making a day out of it. I love this spot. The only downfall is that there aren't any steps to get into and out of the water and it's rocky so I'd wear water shoes and be ready to hoist yourself out of the water.

    Jamie R.

    Such a beautiful place with lots of hiking trails, space to play with dogs, and nature to enjoy. Don't miss out on the waterfall trails in the left side that can be easily overlooked. I wish there was better signage marking the trails -- but it's not too hard to find! Lots of shade, a beautiful prairie with wildflowers, butterflies, and birds to watch. So nice!!

    Stephanie A.

    We always love it here. Between swimming, hiking, outdoor games, fishing, barbecuing, and just hanging out - this is a great place to spend the day. There is plenty of shade and the water is cool. We always look forward to our day trips here - and did I mention there is no fee to pay? The only draw back I have about this place: There are usually lots of dogs here which I generally do not mind. However, even though there are signs that dogs must be leashed - most do not follow that. I do not either, but my pet peeve with this is that so many dog owners just let their dogs trample over everything without a care in the world. Kids are allowed here also - but would you let them just run over your picnic area? It only takes one bad apple to ruin it for everyone else.

    Leila R.

    I never knew this little gem of a park existed! The location was kinda out there, but is totally worth the trek (for me it was about 20mins on 360 from the Arboretum area) because it was absolutely gorgeous (reminded me of the New River Gorge in WV)! Floating on the water was great and they have a little picnic table by a volleyball net and a boathouse that I believe you can reserve. It's a lot of fun to go out with your tube and float, especially when the jet skis and boats fly by because they create some epic waves! Fair warning, it is a bit of a hike from the streetside parking to the open grassy area before you get to the water, so you may want to load up your stuff instead of trying for multiple trips! I went on a Sunday and it was not that crowded at all!

    King D.

    Another great place to launch your paddle board. Like most places on lake Austin, bring your "A" game because of the waves from the fast boats zipping by, but the waves help you cover more distance if you ride them right.

    Jordyn N.

    Someone hit and ran my car here. I'm sure this happens a lot bc of how tight the parking is. If you see a red pick up truck with a dent and neon green paint on it, he hit my car and owes me money. Send pics ;) I love the park itself but I'm giving 4 stars because of my car.

    Field, volleyball, dock and old boat house

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    Ask the Community - Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

    Want to have a bday party there this wkend July 8th 2017. Can you swim in the water and do visitors have to pay entrance fee?????? The website says No Swimming..weird..

    There are signs that say no swimming, which I never saw before last year, but folks do swim in it. There is no fee, it is free. If you want a table, you must be there early though as there are not many there and it fills up fast after 11-12.

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    Review Highlights - Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park

    We crested the top of a hill and looked down at Lake Austin and the big field of green grass and the many people.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Pease Park - Check out this spot.

    Pease Park

    4.7(122 reviews)
    9.1 miOld Enfield, Downtown

    Pease Park is one of Austin's most beautiful parks. Full stop! It has been thoughtfully designed…read moreand enjoyable green space to frequent. Stretching along Shoal Creek, the park offers a mix of shaded walking and biking trails, open lawns, and beautifully restored natural areas. It is hard to believe when you are in the park that you are in the heart of central Austin. The park is especially family friendly, with a large playground, splash pad, treehouse style observation area, and plenty of seating. While we were at the park a school was hosting a picnic for its students. The northern portion of the park is even more quiet and scenic, with winding trails, limestone bluffs, and creek views. It's a great area for dog walks, leisurely strolls, picnics, workouts, or just relaxing under the trees. The park is well maintained and welcoming to all ages. This park is very special.

    Such a gem of a park. Big, beautiful, and genuinely fun for all ages. The giant troll made from…read morenatural and recycled materials alone is worth the visit -- it's impressive and so unique. The stream nearby adds a peaceful touch, and the overall design of the park feels really intentional and creative. Kids will go crazy for the massive playground and all the interactive installations. The hanging net sphere is a must, you can lie inside and bounce around, and honestly the adults were just as into it as the little ones. There are also food vendors including ice cream, so you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. One of the most well-done parks I've been to. Highly recommend.

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    Pease Park - Treehouse view from below, the walk way to upper level is on the left side.

    Treehouse view from below, the walk way to upper level is on the left side.

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    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    4.7(283 reviews)
    7.7 mi

    Oh how I love walking the Greenbelt! It feels like you can go for miles and miles. Well, you can as…read moreit's for nearly 12 miles of trails. Our little furry guy loves a jaunt on the trail in his stroller, especially if that means stopping off for a swim along the way. Can't beat cooling off in natural watering holes during a hot summer in Austin. The Barton Hills entrance gets you to Campbell's Hole while 360 gets you to Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls. I say do it all. Maybe not in one day...save something for the next time. Definitely a precious piece of Austin that we're so lucky to have.

    Loved hiking here for the first time! We first parked at the 360 trailhead and were freaked out by…read moreall the broken glass and signs saying that it's a common smash and grab area. There were broken windows literally everywhere. The car was completely empty and we parked and started to enter, then decided to turn around because it just didn't feel right. We drove down to the other entrance on Spyglass near TacoDeli and felt much better. Residential area with street parking - perfect. We got on the trail and turned left which brought us to the new Violet Crown trailhead. We figured out how it connected to Barton Springs Pool. This was only 3 miles round trip. Next time we will go right past the falls. I am not sure there are even falls right now since it hasn't rained in a long time. The trail is easily marked and there were lots of people out. Can't wait to do more exploring soon!

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(310 reviews)
    14.6 miSoutheast Austin

    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!

    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.

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

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    McKinney Falls State Park

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    Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell

    4.4(518 reviews)
    7.1 mi

    Mount Bonnell is one Austin's top tourist attractions. You climb about a hundred stone steps to…read morereach the top. You see folks coming down steps on the opposite side and your sense of what you might see at the top grows and grows. Alas, you reach the top. Was the climb worth it? Absolutely! When you reach the top, OMG the views are so spectacular! You cannot imagine how beautiful the views are until you actually see them. You see panoramic views of Lake Austin, multi-million residences on the lake and scenic view of Austin. One word...spectacular! We have been at Mt. Bonnell at sunrise and sunset and both views have something special to offer. Sunrise has peacefulness and light dances on Lake Austin. Sunset turns the overlook into connectiveness, where folks you met a few minutes ago or maybe not have met experience this quiet together as the sun retreats. While this location is quite popular, you still have vestiges of human life - graffiti on signage. Mount Bonnell has welcomed visitors since the 1800s and remains one of the city's oldest and most beloved natural landmarks. Austinites beam with pride regarding Mt. Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell is a local gem, a perfect date spot or somewhere to just enjoy the sunset. It's a…read moreshort walk up the stairs (maybe about 100 steps) from the parking to the pagoda-like terrace that overlooks some very scenic homes and has an excellent view of sunrise and sunset. I never actually did the full hike, only just went up to enjoy the scenery. It's less than 15 minutes from major Austin eateries and local spots, so it's a true gem within the city area as opposed to some hikes that are 30 minutes or an hour away. No bathrooms or garbage bins here is the one downside. Take your trash with you!

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    Mount Bonnell
    Mount Bonnell
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    Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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