There are definitely reasons why this park is so popular and why the website recommends purchasing…read moreday passes in advance. McKinney Falls is gorgeous! We went for a hike there right after a big storm and the grounds were so green and vibrant. We mostly stuck to the Onion Creek Trail as it is paved; however, the storm brought in mud to a few places on the trail, so be prepared to maneuver or wear proper footwear if you go during rainy season. Many families line up to take pictures in front of the upper falls (outside the Smith visitor center), so go early if you'd like a picture free of other guests. We then went to the lower falls area where there is an expanse of limestone (I believe) to get to the falls. There's a very small beach and swimming hole area that many families were enjoying. It's important to note that dogs can't enter any of the water at this park. The park also had multiple designated fishing areas as well. We drove around the campgrounds and they have well-maintained water + electric sites at every site. We would highly recommend a visit if you're in the Austin area.

Make sure you time your visit and check the weather…read more We decided to come here and have a picnic lunch and it was hot, hot, hot at 110 degrees mid-August. The falls were not falling - no water at all - people were still swimming in the swimming hole and trying to have a good time but it was miserably hot. Not the park's fault but - probably not the best in the middle of summer.

Quarry Lake is literally a hidden gem. It is surrounded by the medical center on one side, an…read moreapartment complex on another side, Lifetime Fitness gym and Roaring Fork restaurant. When you look at entering the lake property, it feels a bit ambiguous because the gates are indistinct. The gates have a key pad but none were locked. Transport me to New England in Austin, TX. This lake has the appearance of being in the New England states based on its nearby colorful foliage, lush greenery and statuesque trees. The lake looks serene and peaceful. With benches and sitting areas surrounding the lake, you could immerse yourself in deep meditation or reflection. Start to finish the path around Quarry Lake is 1+ miles. As a point of interest, the lake originated from a Limestone quarry and was filled with water from the Edwards Aquifer. Apparently Lifetime Fitness owns Quarry Lake based on prior reviews, which is quite the interesting business arrangement. In Finance there's a phrase, "trust but verify." I called Lifetime Fitness and they confirmed this was in fact true. Apparently, the nearby apartment complex also have access to walking and running trail but not the water. Only Lifetime member can get into water and use the trail. This a definite benefit for Lifetime members and the apartment dwellers.

The lake itself is beautiful and a great place to walk or run the trail or even sit and reflect…read more The bad is that whoever in charge at Lifetime ( look up owner) and what moron(s) from the city who signed off to let them buy the lake and charge to swim are deadass wrong and they are more than welcome to come see me personally if they have an issue with this post. The lake should belong to the city not a damn overpriced gym. BTW my gym membership is $10 per month. Lifetime is robbing you

We've used Float On twice now and have had such a great experience. Both captains were…read morecommunicating with us prior to our trip, helpful when getting loaded on the boat and gave us options on how to spend our time on the water. if youre lucky, you could get a lakeside tour of the many houses lining Lake Austin. we can't wait to use them again!

Giovani AKA Gio our captain was awesome! Very knowledgeable about the lake for our tour and just a…read morelot of fun ! We will be back for sure.

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.

WARNING: They break into cars here! They shattered our car window and stole my backpack. We called…read morea local car repair shop to fix the window and they said they receive constant business because of this! The hike was great with lots of shade. But I would seriously discourage you from coming here because of the vandalism and theft.

Multiple intricacies within the parks known as Town Lake Metropolitan. Waller Beach, the various…read moretrails and paths, the boardwalk, Ladybird Lake, etc. Such a peaceful and beautiful area to get in exercise (walking/running/leisurely strolling), enjoying the outdoors, year-round. Great to explore alone or with friends and family, or your furry friend. Different spots to sit and relax. Simply a beautiful piece of Austin for locals abs tourists alike.

You haven't explored Austin until you take a stroll through the series of parks through the Town…read moreLake areas. Covering multiple miles, you'll see parts of downtown alongside the colorado river. Along this pathway, you'll be lead to the Barton Springs municipal pool and the Zilker Park & Garden as you go west. Going east, you'll eventually find your way along the Boardwalk near the Town Lake apartments and then at some point, the peace point at lady bird lake, one of the chillest spots in Austin to zone out. Obviously you bike, jog, run, walk, dogwalk, skip, however you prefer to galivant along the way of this beautiful section of the capital of Texas. It's one of many reasons people love living here!

Drove to eat dinner on Lake Travis from a meeting at Kalahari Resort in Round Rock. It was so…read morebeautiful and peaceful to watch the sun set while waiting for dinner on a floating dock. Loved watching the groups of ducks swimming and feeding the hungry catfish waiting by the dock. Lake Travis is known for everything related to water. Fishing, boating, swimming, camping. It is one of the clearest lakes in Texas. It supplies water to nearby Austin. Like fishing? If you are lucky, you can catch a variety of bass, catfish or sunfish. Remember the Alamo. Lake Travis is named after William B. Travis. During the Siege of the Alamo, Travis wrote the Victory or Death letter pleading for reinforcements. When Travis and his colleagues were defeated, killed and burned, it made him a martyr. He was only 26 when he died. "Remember the Alamo" became a battle cry for Texas Independence.

It's about time I review this beautiful Texas hill country lake. I first layed eyes on lake Travis…read moreexactly 50 years ago. All of our lakes in Texas( with the exception of Caddo) are man made. Travis is one in a chain of lakes snaking through the hill country and known as the highland lakes. Some of our man made reservoirs are prettier than others, depending on the surrounding natural topography,geology etc. Travis sits on top of limestone and as a result is normally very clear with a beautiful terraced and rocky shoreline. Steep hills of oak surround the circumference. It's a very long lake with hundreds of bends and coves. My initial visit was to scuba dive the clear waters,which I did in summer of 1975. There was only one other person on that part of the lake that day. Hardly any homes had been built out here and the 45 minutes drive from Austin was mostly desolate and undeveloped. Jump forward a mere 50 years and the place is unrecognizable. Every hill is covered with homes and the drive out feels like any other suburban area. Well,Travis is full again for another cycle. It's a beautiful lake and everyone that lives here and uses it is ecstatic. But more importantly,Travis is one of the main water sources here and it was threatened. This new relief will hopefully give the powers that be time to develop a better water conservation plan for the area.

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.

Very cool spot off the rocks in to the water ! Very chill vibe and very relaxing atmosphere!…read moreClearly combing back need house in hills too ;) and fast boat ;)

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.

July 26 2007 Austin renamed Town Lake Lady Bird Lake. This was to honor the former first lady ,…read moreLady Bird Johnson who had just passed away at 94. Nothing against Lady Bird but, I liked the name Town Lake. Stretching out in front of downtown Austin. It's has always been a great place. Not that long ago,no one was there much. On the banks or in the water. Now that Austin has been developed into a major city,Lady Bird Lake is activity central for a significant segment of the population. The ringing trails on both sides facilitate runners,walkers,fresh air seekers at all hours of the day and night. Likewise the flowing water of the Colorado river which feeds the " lake" holds boaters of all types. So forgive me if in my next review of the Austin area I mispeak by calling it Town Lake,but I have my entire life.

Met friends at Town Lake also called Lady Bird Lake for the Links Family Health Expo & Walk for…read moreHealthy Living, an uplifting community event promoting wellness. The walk motivated people of all ages to stay active, highlighting the health benefits of simple actions like walking. The expo provided valuable resources from health professionals and focused on family and community well-being. The Links, Incorporated showed strong leadership, addressing health disparities and fostering long-term wellness through education and collaboration. The event was well organized, inspiring attendees to prioritize their health beyond the day.

Stopped by during my lunch break while working in Wimberley Texas. Very nice park with good hiking…read moretrails and parking lots. There's a visitor center, and several gardens and placards all along the trail to tell the history and ecology of the area. The well itself did not appear to be flowing or if it was it was flowing only slightly. The hike as you get close to the well is a little bit more treacherous, but not too bad. Once you are there, the well is dark emerald green in color. It looks kind of mysterious. lol Good spot for a short hike to explore some nature and see a natural wonder.

I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more…read morecaptivating and visually appealing than my experience of it. But despite that notion, Jacob's Well overall is very underwhelming. The hike is probably the shortest and least challenging I've ever experienced. There are several mini trails that are great for kids to explore, along with a large tire swing at the front entrance. Jacob's Well is definitely very kid- and senior-friendly as it's not very strenuous at all to hike or walk around. It's a nice that it's there for everyone to experience nature but again, very underwhelming. We spent about half an hour there which was enough time to experience the entire area. Definitely worth a visit if it's your first time in Wimberley.