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    Jessica Hollis Park

    3.6 (19 reviews)

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    The ultimate spot to kayak or SUP
    Neil O.

    After first discovering this spot at the start of the year, this has been a near-weekly spot to beat the heat and have fun outside. They've gotten extremely strict on parking here on weekends (which imo was necessary, the crowds were getting unbearably large and loud and just generally not respecting the park by littering everywhere) so be sure to get here earlyish if you want to secure a spot for sure. A couple pro tips: 1. Water is let out from the very bottom of the dam roughly at 4 PM every day, and that water is INCREDIBLY cold and clear. It makes Barton Springs even seem a little warmer, so if you're looking for the coldest spot in central TX this might be your best bet. 2. The parking meter seems to suggest that it's pay by the hour, but even if you pay $1 the time that it expires just says "DUSK," so $1 gets you a full day of parking in reality.

    Mansfield dam
    Shannon G.

    It's a nice small park. You do need to pay for parking. $1.00 an hour. There are mens and womens bathrooms. There looks to be 2 areas where you can launch your kayaks or paddle boards etc. there's a walking bridge that crosses the Colorado river. There are signs that say no jumping off the bridge, but people still do. It's not patrolled and there are no lifeguards. Swim at own risk. The water is shallow enough to stand in most areas. I saw some fly fishing. I saw jet skis and boats. Dogs and kids swimming. There are a few picnic tables. Not a lot of grassy areas to lay out. It was small and on a hill. So not like a "park" feel. The view is beautiful. And it was pretty peaceful. This park is close to me and I pass by coming home from work. I will probably come back for the convenience.

    Keanna M.

    We brought our dog here on a sunny weekday. It was so nice for her to swim around in the river! It does get going quite swiftly in the center of the river (we lost a frisbee to the current), but if your dog is a good swimmer then I'd definitely take them here! Throughout our couple of hours here, multiple other groups came with their dogs too. Parking is $1 per hour.

    James W.

    Mrs. Texas and I have visited this park a few times. It's not that great but it does allow you to see the dam from the down flow side. They have a few picnic tables and they did recently pave a parking area and they have restrooms. You can walk across the low water bridge and see fish swimming in the clear water, which is cold. You can swim (one sign says stay out of the channel while another sign says swimming is ok) but use extreme caution due to possible under currents, water moccasins and the possible sudden release of water from the dam without warning. It could be a nicer park with some TLC.

    Entry
    King D.

    The most northern part of lake Austin and a great place to launch your paddle board. It's a small parking lot so get there early. There's a $1 dollar an hr fee with a max of $12. The water is nice and cool here!

    They were ready to go...i wasn't

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    4 years ago

    Nice picnic place at the low water crossing. Great place to put in a raft or standing board.

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    9 years ago

    Wonderful place to paddle board away from the crowd if you have your own. Just be aware you'll have to tote board a bit.

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    9 years ago

    Park is not opened. Lots of poison ivy and mosquitoes and the current from the dam is very dangerous.

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    Ask the Community - Jessica Hollis Park

    How is the swimming here? Is it okay for kids? Is there a designated area?

    The water is MUCH cooler than the rest of Lake Austin, as it is constantly fed fr the Mansfield Dam. The water is crystal clear b/c the bottom is all gravel and rocks, huge boulders the further you go in - no mud. It's also very shallow. All the way… Read more

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    Review Highlights - Jessica Hollis Park

    Water is let out from the very bottom of the dam roughly at 4 PM every day, and that water is INCREDIBLY cold and clear.

    Mentioned in 7 reviews

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    Pease Park - Check out this spot.

    Pease Park

    4.7(121 reviews)
    12.0 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.

    Photos
    Pease Park
    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.

    Pease Park - Observation globe top view

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    Observation globe top view

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    4.7(283 reviews)
    11.3 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!

    Photos
    Barton Creek Greenbelt
    Barton Creek Greenbelt
    Barton Creek Greenbelt

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(312 reviews)
    18.1 miSoutheast Austin

    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.

    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!

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

    Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    McKinney Falls State Park - EV charging

    EV charging

    McKinney Falls State Park

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    Mayfield Park - Gorgeous

    Mayfield Park

    4.6(230 reviews)
    9.9 miTarryton/Exposition Blvd.

    When my boyfriend said "let's go meet our friends at the peacock reserve", I didn't think twice…read moreabout saying yes and I also didn't think twice about it being a ACTUAL place with peacocks. This place was honestly so cool. The peacocks free roam so it's important to be mindful where walking, and especially important to watch in their small parking lot as the birds wander into there as well. With that being said, there are no dogs allowed. We walked around the grounds a bit trying to find more birds. There's benches to sit, nice little water ponds to see, and a little trail as well. Would definitely advise going with closed toed shoes if you're planning to walk the trail. It's not really stroller friendly as there are branches and rocks scattered all along the path. I would definitely come back here, should I find myself back down in Austin. Such a wholesome and peaceful place!

    I first visited Mayfield Park several years ago when visiting Austin for the first time with my…read moreboyfriend who is from here. The park is famous for the peacocks that reside on land of nearly 23 acres. They're so beautiful to watch. The park also has koi ponds, hiking trails, gardens, and the Mayfield-Gutsch cottage that dates back to the 1870s. It's a beautiful and peaceful park to hike, walk, or just relax in. Extremely well maintained and cared for. It's also a place my sisters like to visit when they're in town to see me.

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    Mayfield Park
    Mayfield Park
    Mayfield Park

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    Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell

    4.4(518 reviews)
    9.4 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
    Mount Bonnell

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    Jessica Hollis Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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