These Austin, TX Parks Are Great For a Family Stroll or a Picnic

Auditorium Shores gets it name from the Palmer Auditorium as well as from lady Bird Lake, both of which are on either side of it, but it also could loosely refer to the festivals, events, and concerts that are often hosted there.

Auditorium Shores is conveniently located right in Austin’s downtown area, and its green lawns are a great place for a game of frisbee, playing fetch with your dog off leash, or relaxing on a blanket with a good book. There is a wide network of lovely paths for walkers, joggers, dog walkers, and bicyclists that weaves and whirls through Auditorium Park. For a full schedule of events that occur there, check out the website listed below.

900 W Riverside Dr, Austin, TX 78704, Phone: 512-974-6700

Just a short distance west of Downtown Austin is Barton Creek Greenbelt, a peaceful natural area that provides a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the city. Barton Creek Greenbelt is dog friendly, and the creek that runs through it—Barton Creek, of course—is a great place for both humans and pups to cool off and get their paws wet during the hot summer days.

There are tons of access points to the Lower Greenbelt, Upper Greenbelt, and Barton Creek Wilderness Park, which are all part of the same greater park. Rock climbers will find some exciting and challenging routes among the park’s rock formations, and hikers will enjoy the beautiful nature along one of the best trails in Texas.

3755 S Capital of Texas Hwy B, Austin, TX 78704, Phone: 512-974-6700

With nearly fifty acres of green space and a flowing creek running through it, Bull Creek District Park is a great spot for swimming during the warmer months, hiking on beautiful Texas days, and fishing in Bull Creek.

It’s a popular destination for locals, and its amenities also include several sports facilities, like a basketball court, a field that is used for soccer, kickball, and other purposes, and a volleyball court. It’s also a popular place for rock climbers, who enjoy the large ridges and formations of limestone that provide a welcome challenge. Dogs are welcome in Bull Creek Distract Park as long as they remain on leash and their owners clean up any messes they leave.

6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731, Phone: 512-974-6700

Butler Metro Park is right across the street from Auditorium Shores park, so visitors kind of get a two for one deal on an excellent urban recreation space.

Butler Metro Park is sometimes known by its old name, Town Lake Metro Park, and within its grounds are the Dougherty Art Center, and the Palmer Events Center, though the latter is not part of the park.

At Butler Metro Park, visitors will find trails for running, walking, and biking, as well as green space perfect for picnics and pick up games of frisbee, There’s a splash pad fountain that is generally swarming with locals and kids trying to cool off on hots days, and even a putt putt mini golf course.

1000 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, Phone: 512-974-6700

Parks for Couples

Picnics and barbecues are a common sight (and smell!) at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, which borders Lake Austin and the Colorado River.

It’s home to a beautiful trail—the Waterfall Trail—which is short and easy but leads along a lovely stream with several featured waterfalls. The waterfront is a good launch point for boating and kayaking, and also provides a nice place to go fishing. Wildlife such as birds and wildflowers tend to be abundant inside Commons Ford Ranch, and the facilities include a boat house and a volleyball net.

614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733, Phone: 512-974-6700

Located in the northwest region of Austin’s city limits, Emma Long Metropolitan Park was originally called City Park, and is still called that by some locals.

The large park borders Lake Austin and is named for Emma Long, a woman who served in Austin’s city council during the 1940s, became the first female Mayor Pro Tem in Austin, and vehemently supported the parks system throughout her career and her life. The sunny green space, dotted by trees and picnic tables, is a fitting tribute to her legacy. A nominal park entrance fee is charged for visitors on foot or by vehicle, and a camping fee also applies.

1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730

Festival Beach Park is the common name for Edward Rendon Senior Metro Park at Festival Beach, which is admittedly a mouthful.

This beautiful public park is located along the river, and it has a dock where people launch kayaks and long rowing team boats, and some lovely trails for hiking and biking. There is a boat ramp for launching boats in the Colorado River, and a small and pretty inlet of water that ventures into the park.

A community swimming pool is open during the warmer months of the year, and provides a safe and fun place for community members of all ages to swim, splash, and cool off. In the northwest edge of the park is the Festival Beach Food Forest and Festival Beach Community Garden, an edible part of the park run by volunteers.

2101 Jesse E Segovia St. Austin TX 78702, Phone: 512-974-6700

Parks for a Relaxing Day Out

The playground at Guerrero Colorado River Park is a kid’s paradise. There are multiple slides, swings, a huge play castle area, and even an exciting feature that mimics rock formations and lets kids test their balance on a guided tightrope walk.

But the fun at GUerrero Colorado River Park isn’t just for the little ones. There’s also a lot of sports facilities there as well, including a baseball diamond, space for volleyball or other field sports, and an entire disc golf course. It’s common to spot deer in Guerrero Colorado River Park, and hikers and bikers will be pleased to find some varied urban trails for their use.

400 Grove Blvd, Austin, TX 78741, Phone: 512-974-6700

Mayfield Park started life as the Mayfield Gutsch Estate, a lovely historic cottage that was built in the 19th century on 21 acres of natural land, including a beautiful 2 acre garden.

Mayfield Park is quiet, peaceful, and beautiful, with walking trails and community garden space often filled with flowers and veggies, depending on the deason. The trails are short, perfect for families or people looking for a quick stroll. One of the most unique draws of Mayfield Park that sets it apart from others in the area are the resident peacocks and peahens, who roam freely around the grounds. Visitors can spot their colorful plumage all over the park, and if you’re patient enough, you might even get a full display of their spread feathers.

3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703

McKinney Falls State Park is located in Austin where Onion Creek and Williamson Creek meet, and it’s named for McKinney Falls, a broad waterfall that rushes over the stones of Onion Creek and splashes merrily into pools below.

The park is practically in Austin’s back yard, and is in fact still within city limits, so it’s very accessible for Austinites and visitors. There are over eighty campsites at McKinney Falls State Park which can be reserved for a small fee, and during the day there is a system of trails that vary from the bike and stroller friendly Onion Creek Trail to the more rugged Rock Shelter Trail, which leads to a neat old camping shelter. There is an old homestead on the property, and the creeks are suitable for fishing and swimming, though the park has strict rules about what is allowed in the falls areas in order to keep the park clean.

5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744