With the new amenities at Copperfield Park off Yager, this greenbelt is now just about as complete a greenbelt experience as one can get in Austin, without the crowds.
There are actually multiple entrances: in addition to the parking lot off Yager on the north end, you can also access this from Shropshire Blvd by the new gas station (or cross the street where it continues to join the Walnut Creek trail complex), from a signed entrance at the end of Blakeney Lane (where there is a small pond and, occasionally, fishermen), and from two more obscure entrances at the end of Atterbury Lane and at the NW corner of the Marquis at Canyon Ridge apartment complex.
In spring, this trail is one of the best places in suburban Austin to see local Texas wildflowers -- as well as a very good place to see migrating birds, including several species of warblers. Travis Audubon Society offers field trips here, and it is listed as an eBird hotspot with well over 100 species of birds recorded, with a fair number (including Yellow-crowned Night-Heron) nesting in the trees above the trail. Other forms of wildlife (small mammals, butterflies, dragonflies, and even crayfish) are easily seen along this trail system.
Generally, most traffic here (which may very from a fair number to almost none depending on the day and time of day) is comprised of runners and bicyclists, with the occasional dog walker (most of whom - but not all - are conscientious enough the pick up after their companions - so as in all dog-friendly Austin parks, watch your step). The copious shade allows this to be a relatively cool place to go even in high summer, while protecting from the worst effects of Austin's relatively mild (but still occasionally cold) winters. As with all Austin wilderness areas involving water, beware of bugs in the warmer months. Near the south end of the trail, approaching Shropshire, the trail does get muddy as it bottoms out alongside the creek, so be careful there. There's also a small steppingstone water crossing near the Blakeney entrance.
Despite being almost entirely surrounded by suburbs, Copperfield is a great, quiet spot to enjoy and explore nature. read more