The Onion Creek Metropolitan park is a 517-acre regional park located in Southeast Austin. It has nature and groomed trails, pavilions, restroom, and open play fields. I came for a group trail run through the 250-acre Onion Creek Greenbelt. The park was clean and in great shape. There is a gravel loop around the park that is about 800 m. However, the draw for me was the nature trails in the park that are not too technical but offer a safe introduction to trail running. The trail was about 4 miles long and is fairly flat with a few steep areas. It was a great place to explore the trails whether hiking or running and connect with nature. read more

Onion Creek District Park - Trail run - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

Let me start off by saying that we chose to begin our trek through Onion Creek through one of its branching sub trails, and that was a HUGE mistake. Despite being marked as a branch of the trail it was extremely overgrown with bugs everywhere. The mosquitoes were relentless and the walk was just a nightmare with all the brush we had to walk through. We won't give a terrible rating cause ultimately we did decide to go down that particular path but just be VERY wary of which one you choose to go down. read more

Shrek-in' it! This park is in the flood basin of the Onion Creek. You can see that sometimes the water levels can get high around here, so it's a great place for trails and a dog park, and soccer fields! The trails that take you along Onion Creek are mostly unimproved. They're not wheelchair accessible or paved. They go riiiight up to McKinney Falls State Park, but there's a barbed wire fence separating the two with a sign warning against entering through the nature trails. There are some port-a-potties in the park. The dog park allows off leash dogs to roam free. Parking is plentiful! I can't imagine that this place ever fills up. Onion Creek is scenic, with a regular trickle of water that that goes along limestone gullies and canyons. Ferns and cypress trees dot the trails which are a beautiful respite from the urbanity of Austin. read more

Great park for dogs, with an off-leash area next to Onion Creek. People are good about watching their dogs, so it's a good place to socialize my dogs. They can also go in the creek if they want to cool off. I enjoy the trails, too, which are numerous, and have never been crowded. A fun place to bicycle or, my sister and I ride our Terra Trikes on the trails, with my dogs, who love to run! Great exercise for everyone. read more

Onion Creek District Park - Onion Creek offers a Great off-leash area, for dogs who think they are really beavers, trapped in a dog's body! - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

In visiting my brother in Del Valle for the Christmas holidays, he wanted to take his dog for a walk and this is where we landed. I had no clue this was out here and thoroughly enjoyed the well-kept green landscape. There were plenty of play stations for those with kids; however, I simply enjoyed walking around in nature. Spending time in nature is always mentally and emotionally restorative. Great choice for families and those who want to get away for a little bit. read more

See all

I follow Austin Parks on IG, and they'd been posting about this park. I'be known about Onion Creek, however there were never well developed trails until now. The park was filled with happy dogs running around, plenty of trails, playground, and several other amenities. The park isn't small, so be prepared to explore. This is a great new spot for everyone! read more

See all

I take my pup here several days per week & have been for almost three years. It's clean, she loves to run & play & I love getting outdoors & some exercise myself. read more

Not sure why this park only has 4 stars. It's a beautiful park with multiple trails to choose from. The creek is a great addition for dogs that want to swim. It's a little bit of everything! And it's extremely well maintained. read more

Such a fun park/trail you can bring your four legged friends to. There is a decent stream/pond your dog can get into as well which is amazing especially in the Texas heat. Definitely will be our new hangout spot on the weekends. Everyone is pretty friendly only downside is when your walking the trail some people have their dogs off leash and arnt close by, which I don't think you should ever leave an unleashed dog to roam around alone. Other then that, a blast! read more

Onion Creek District Park - Marley enjoying her trail walk - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

As is such in life, onion has proven far superior to walnut with regards to creeks in Austin, too. I've been twice. Once with not my dog and once with my dog and both were delightful experiences for both dogs and humans! I love that the creek has shallow and deep parts so apprehensive pups and Olympic swimmer pups can feel comfortable and enjoy the water. The main trail (from the main parking lot) is pretty flat but very lush and has some deviations that lead you back down to the creek, but be careful with those, as some lead to a minor cliff that can be tricky for animal or person to get in/out of the creek. Plentiful parking and green space, too. read more

My husband and I have been exploring Austin neighborhoods via morning hikes at various parks and trails. This one was a disappointment unless you literally live in the area. There weren't defined trails, or a parking lot and the scenery wasn't the adventure we were hoping for either. We did see a lot of horse hooves marked in the soil... read more

I don't know if I should even be writing a review on this park because I didn't actually spend too much time at the actual park itself...It would have probably been a great experience except for the fact that I got way lost. I read the Yelp reviews and most of them were good...I followed the directions to the address listed on the Yelp page and had no problems whatsoever. When I parked, my 2 dogs and I wandered around...there is definitely tons and tons of land, mostly undeveloped and no marked trails like some of the reviews have said. There was a nice playground and we walked a bit until we got to a creek which we walked over...And that was when it all went downhill (excuse the pun). We ended up on a residential street and I thought, no big deal, we'll walk around the "block" and that will just lead us back to the park instead of crossing back over the creek. We ended up walking quite a bit and then kept walking...I'm not kidding, it was at least a few miles. Long story short - and this is really embarrassing - a nice lady at a gas station had to give us a ride back (I'm all about safety first but I seriously did not know what to do). The lady who has lived in the area for years did give me a little history lesson and said that Onion Creek was flooded really badly and they are re-building the park area, which is quite big and yes, a little confusing. So, while we did get a ton of exercise (and baths ;O) we didn't spend too much time in the park...lol...There is so much land and it's a really quiet place but it's probably best to just stick to one area with your kids or dogs...unless you have a great sense of direction ;) read more

Onion Creek District Park - It was super foggy this morning. - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

My dog, Shiner (yes, after the beer - and his full name is Shiner Black), LOVES this place! (and so do I!!) I agree with Kim R. - this is a "secret" park. Hardly anyone goes here and while I kind of like it that way, I can't really imagine why... Off leash - check (although we don't trust Shiner completely yet to let him off leash the whole time - he's part beagle and the sniffer side of him takes over) Water/creek for Shiner to romp around in (when he's not scared) - check Nice hiking paths - check Not too many 4 legged friends (if any) - check I also agree with Kim R. and Christina A. that the main downside are the horses. We have yet to run into any, but Shiner has stepped, slipped and smelled his fair share of horsey poo. However, I don't really see it as a negative. I think it gives character to the place. read more

See all

When we arrived, there's no parking lot so I drove around for a good ten minutes searching for one before deciding it's probably safe to just park on the side of the road. If you follow Google Map directions to this park it will have you end up at the very end of Onion Creek Dr and this is where I parked. Straight ahead you'll see the entrance to trails and kid playgrounds, and to the left you'll see a small wide open trail that goes downhill to the creek. The place was EMPTY! We went today (Tuesday) around 4pm. The creek water was super clear and clean, it was shallow, and best of all no other dogs or people. This is the perfect off leash spot, but I have a greyhound that I can't trust bc she runs. It was probably a 2 minute walk from car to creek and saw 3 poop bag/garbage stations. Because I just moved to the state and I'm not familiar with the surrounding area. Because there was absolutely nobody else in the park. Because a keychain of pepper spray can only do so much. I went with my gut and decided not to explore the trails by myself. They didn't look very clearly marked, and I have no sense of direction! I will update when we are able to go back and explore the trails and more of the park with my boyfriend! Piper just needed a quick dip to cool off, so Onion Creek served its purpose today. If anybody has suggestions on where to park, and other entrances to the creek, the feedback would be appreciated! read more

See all

Onion Creek is a great Park with not much human foot traffic. A few years back when I was boarding my horses in Buda we would ride here often. So, just an FYI watch out for gifts left behind by horses and since there is an off leash dog area you might run into a loose dog on the trail. This is actually a trail that I always keep my dog on leash for fear she might get kicked by a horse or run into some unfriendly wildlife. If you do choose to let your dog off leash make sure they have excellent recall because there are lots of animals rustling in the bushes and their scent left behind. The main trail is wide with many overgrown side trails to explore. The waypoint has surprisingly clear water with lots of fish and a great spot to let your Pup cool off. I am knocking off a star because I have seen dogs that do not have their parents with them - another reason I have to keep my dog on leash and carry a stick in case any dog or wildlife is not friendly. But, do not let that discourage you from visiting - it is a beautiful hike. read more

Onion Creek District Park - Stormy's favorite trail - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

I haven't been here with my pup, but I drove around looking for someone else's when I fell in love with this little patch of grass. It's easy to get lost at Onion Creek Park when you're not familiar with the area. The roads wind endlessly and there are very few markings that help you out. The park is overloaded with deer at night and seems eerie and ominous when it's foggy. You could be out there for hours and not notice. I'm eager to try this place for a run or as a dog park, since that's what it seems best for. read more

This place has gotten more popular so theres more people out and in turn more theft to cars but its more dangerous here because there is NO lighting out here. They have light fixtures but all the bulbs are out and there are used condoms littered all throughout the park. The last time I was here someone siphoned gas out of my car, its a nice place but not worth it anymore. read more

This place is a great off leash park for all dog shapes, sizes, and breeds. So many trails and nice creek if your dog likes to get wet. Everyone there was very friendly read more

Perfect for pets! Quiet park. It's quite suspect and given the area, it's history and what's currently around I would avoid this park. Living in Austin, we have so many luscious outdoor escapes. Please try another. I would NOT recommend! read more

I just don't give a lot of 5 stars. This is worth 10 stars. My dogs say 100. This was in a list of off leash dog parks I happened to find and now we're going 4-5 times per week, it's wonderful here! Once you turn left off of Pleasant Valley, drive until you reach the end of the road. The canopied tree lined street is going to have your dog (or kids) extremely excited. Here's what you'll find: *It's unbelievably huge. We still haven't explored it all and we go almost everyday. *There's clear and a nicely flowing creek for the pups to swim or play in. Not too deep, you can see to the bottom. *City Parks keeps a lot of the grass mowed, but it can get tall quickly in the growing season. *Usually we meet a few dogs, but not a lot. It's big enough that you can be fairly isolated or it's possible to socialize. *There's a playground near the parking area with kids playing and restrooms *There's a nice long trail through a large horse fence that I've never seen horses on, but apparently they're common to see. The trail follows the water to the left (east) and is about 25 min to the end and has two different spots for the dogs to drink and swim. It's very densely wooded on the sides of the trail. This is a great spot for off leash for a well behaved dog that doesn't run off. If your dog tends to roam, this would not be an advisable spot as they can really get lost in the woods. read more

We enjoy bringing our dog here as much as she enjoys coming here. It is Saturday late morning, 10:40, in 90 degress heat, pretty hot. Stay under the shade of tress and it isn't bad. Enjoy the trees, the smell of fresh cut grass, low traffic and a pleasant stroll with your dog. Dogs here are off leash, which we always appreciate. read more

See all

Onion Creek is one of my secret parks, but I'll share it with you. It's so secret that I want other dog owners to know it, love it and use it so it doesn't ever go away. I very rarely see other dogs at Onion Creek, but it's a great park. Several equestrian properties abut Onion Creek, so there are tons of well-worn trails. There's water, too. That's the upside. The downside is that you very well may run into horses, so don't let your dogs offleash unless you're sure that your dog can peacefully coexist with horses. Don't put your dog or riders in danger! read more

I'm so glad I found this dog park! i've taken our pup twice so far and each time he wore himself completely out. He has tons of room to run around, play fetch, and explore. Not only that, but it's the closest park to my house so its location is very convenient. Either not many people know about this park, or they are afraid to come out here because it's in East Austin. The few people that I've met are very responsible dog owners and, from what they've told me, it seems that they're the only ones that frequent the area. It's a shame, really, that more people don't take advantage of all the running room and bring their dogs out here instead of, for example, Norwood Park. The downside, as was mentioned in the previous review, is the horses. I have yet to run into any, but I've seen their "presents" laying around. I guess horse owners aren't as diligent about picking up their messes as dog owners. I wish they were--Beto thinks horse poo is mighty tasty. :( read more

This place is great! HUGE park. Huge off leash area that includes a nice creek. Great for the pups. Clean water so swimming is definitely a yes. There are very well kept hiking trails that are a good length. My dog Dakoda loves it here. Only thing is that the dog poop bag stand was empty so definitely bring your own. Some owners bring not so friendly pups there which is odd to me since it's a off leash dog park. Seemed very awkward when my pup came up to smell his dog & then proceeded to ask if my dog was a girl or boy. I responded with boy & he grabbed his dog by the collar and lead him away. I decided to leave - to let him and his dog have the space. Didn't really have much of problem with that since we had already been there for a good minute anyways but if we had just got there I would've been more annoyed. PSA people! If your dog isn't friendly don't bring them to dog parks! It's not fair to your dog or the other dogs that are trying to enjoy the park. Thank you! read more

Onion Creek District Park - Dog Parks Near Me - Austin, Texas

See all

Austin's best kept secret: A huge off-leash dog park with a creek for dogs to swim in, and a hiking trail. I have been living in this neighborhood for about 4 years and was hesitant to review this place because I wanted to keep it to myself- however I think that with the changes happening at Auditorium Shores, this park is likely to become a lot more popular... I'm already seeing a lot more new faces there. There are horses on the trails, so you may want to make sure you can keep your pup in check to avoid any horse vs dog mishaps. Also, beware of wildlife: I've heard people say they've seen snakes - I haven't seen any yet, but I have had a few close calls with skunks and families of deer. My understanding is that the parks department does some of the maintenance here, but there is also a volunteer group that comes through every couple of weeks to help keep the park clean. So, please pick up your garbage/take it with you if possible... however there are garbage cans and doggie bag stations. read more

I feel I need to update this after a year, because frankly 3 stars for a place I come to all the time now seems a bit low. And it also feels like Austin PARD puts more attention into this place these days. But still, it's generally as quiet and secret as ever. As someone else mentioned before, I too have seen a rattlesnake. Or at least, a dead one. Pretty unnerving. But, if you get your dogs up on shots, it's not a big deal. There is a marked increase in horse traffic in the past year, which is a pain for someone like me who has to gather up dogs that are ready to take on anything with 4 legs, while the horse riders don't seem to think their mount will react to smaller mammals nipping at their ankles. But, they're not always there and the telltale horse trailers are there at the entrance so you're pretty much always ready for it. All things considered, it's a small price to pay for the best hidden doggie park in the city. read more

I have to say, this IS a lovely park . . . however, I felt I had to let people know: We encountered a rattlesnake last Sunday (4/8/2012) while hiking on the trail. It was in the tall grass next to the trail rather than right *on* the trail, but there nonetheless. My dogs like to wander off and on the trail and it was a very scary experience. The younger of the two found the snake and was very curious to see what it was. It coiled and was ready to strike. Luckily, I was able to get the dog to stop and I lunged in and yanked him out of there. The good part is that rattlers will let you know they're there and that they don't want YOU there -- that sound is unmistakable and unforgettable! Be careful! read more

i absolutely love this park! I have take my dog here a few times and each time I have only run into a couple of people. it is more of a secluded wandering path that a hiking path but it is green and has a wonderful stream for your dog to run around in. It agree with others that it is a hidden gem since most people I mention it to look at me with confusion. Good. I prefer it quiet like this with less dogs to wrestle my dog when all she wants to do is investigate and play in the water. Off-leash, quiet, and beautiful. read more

5 stars for proximity to my house in the 78745, 5 stars for size, 5 stars for seclusion, 5 for wildness, and 5 for being dog and horse friendly. I've been living south-central side for 5 years and I just discovered this place today. I let the dogs roam safely off leash only coming across one other person and dog in a very large park space. read more

This park is very under developed but quiet. So there are pros and cons to taking your dog. Pros: Quiet Not a lot of people Area is very secluded and almost hidden Playground available Water access to creek Parking lot Cons: No set trails No trail markers or signs No signs/maps to get anywhere Horses share the trail with dogs/humans (lots of big poop) Not fenced in read more

Many horses are boarded near this park and use the trails often. Please be ready to put your dogs on a leash if the horse owners ask you to. A frightened horse can kick a dog and neither the horse owners or you ,want that. There have been several rattlesnake sightings on the trails. read more

Off leash area for the pups, trails of natural crushed stone, tons of covered picnic areas and tons of parking (at least there was on an unusually cold, blustery March day) read more

This is not a good dog park after lots of rain. The water is moving too quick for the dogs to swim in and the mud is thick and deep on the trails. The kind of mud where your shoes get stuck and your feet slip out of them. Also, it is more of a "make your own path" type place. No trail signs or anything like that. However it was super quiet and secluded. We will try this park again when the conditions are more conducive. read more

All the roads are closed. Under construction. It may need some lights around the park, no a place to come at night or afternoon. I came with my dog around noon and I was afraid. read more

First time visit as we live in Buda. Went today with our 1 yr old GSP and she had a blast. The trail seemed pretty long but we kept going. Beware of rattlesnakes as we did see one on the trail - get the vaccine and/or snake avoidance training for your dog (which we have). A nice couple said that there's a fork in the trail and to take a left for the water. As soon as we got to the stream we were in Heaven. Our dog loved it and it was a nice chance to cool off. Closer than Walnut Creek and Turkey Creek especially if we need a quick adventure. We will definitely be back for more fun in the sun. read more

Honestly didn't stay long at all.... it was scary and it's getting late and weird cars kept driving in circles and we're driving super weird and I couldn't find a trial I looked on here and still couldn't find anything most likely will give it another go early one morning. read more

Great place, I love the fact that is not too crowded. One word of advise to newcomers thou, if your dog isn't friendly with ALL types of dogs don't take him/her here! I have recently had trouble with someone who insisted in bringing their untrained, unfriendly dog to Onion Creek, and the owner had no idea how to control her dog. If you encounter anyone with non-friendly dogs do scare them off, let's keep this park's good vibes going! read more

This is a peaceful park and trail to spend some time wandering (especially with your pup!) It's off-leash, and I was able to let my dog off to play with some other dogs at the park in a green space as well as let her free on our walk down the trail. It was a good length, not too short and not too long, and getting down to the creek is really nice. I'm sure with good weather, that creek would be perfect for my dog to play in a bit. The park and trails seemed well-maintained, and there's definitely a lot to see! I can't wait to come back here again with my dog and husband, and maybe for a picnic too. I did notice a nice playground, so it'd be perfect for a family day as well. read more

This place is eerie and strange with the abandoned housing development. The mosquitoes chewed us apart. All the fast food trash scattered about gives me the impression that this is where high school kids come to smoke weed at night. I won't be returning... what a let down! read more

I'm giving Onion Creek Park 4 stars rather than 5 simply due to the lack of shade. The park is well maintained and the parking was plentiful. It was just practically impossible NOT to be sunburned sitting out at Onion Creek for a weekend tournament. A nice park, just plan ahead for bathrooms and shade/sunscreen. read more