If you’re a resident of Austin, TX, then you probably already know what a vibrant city is. With a bustling music scene and beautiful nature, it is an ideal location for both the young and the old. With so much to do in Austin, TX, you may be wondering what is the one thing you should be doing there if you have a few days to kill. Our top suggestion would be visiting the parks in this lovely city, especially if you love being outdoors. Austin, TX, receives over 300 days of sunshine in a year and moderate temperature all year round. This makes spending time in the parks very plausible, no matter what time of the year you choose to visit. Read on to find out what the best parks in Austin, TX are! We will discuss the distance of the parks, as well as the main features of these parks, for you to make a decision about which park best suits your needs.
Pedernales Falls State Park
This park is located 1 hour away from downtown Austin. This park is optimal for any experienced hiking enthusiast because of the many limestone cliffs, magnificent boulders, and gushing waterfalls. However, if you are not a seasoned hiker, there are alternate trails available that are easier to conquer. Visitors to this park can also birdwatch, camp, and swim in designated zones which makes this an enjoyable place to spend your day with the entire family.
McKinney Falls State Park
We love McKinney Falls State Park because it’s only a stone’s throw from downtown Austin. This is a 15 minute drive from downtown Austin, making this highly accessible if you only have time to squeeze in a short visit to the park. Aside from hiking, many visitors frequent this park for fishing trips. This park also has 81 campsites that provide electricity and water hookups for anyone looking to spend their night in the wilderness.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
This park is a 25-minute drive from downtown Austin, which makes it slightly further than McKinney Falls State Park but still reasonably within city limits. The highlight of this park is the myriad of activities that visitors can enjoy, from biking to playing volleyball. Furthermore, there are day-use areas in this park which makes it easy for you to just set down your picnic basket and bask in the sun.
Lockhart State Park
If you are willing to drive 40 minutes from downtown Austin, you can be rewarded with many wonderful sights in Lockhart State Park. The golf course located here is well-known amongst locals and allows golfing enthusiasts to be engaged in a fun day of golf. There is also an on-site pool here for younger family members to enjoy. For those looking for a more taxing challenge, there is a difficult hiking trail. You should have ideally been hiking for a while if you choose to embark on this trail.
Palmetto State Park
Palmetto State Park is a 1-hour drive from downtown Austin and the sights that you get to see will be vastly different from what you would expect from typical Texan scenery. You will be rewarded with the sights of trees, swamps, and leafy plants. There are many water activities that you can engage in, so if you are more athletic, this park is ideal for you!
At Conservatory At North Austin, we have a great community for our retirees. If you are in the area and are looking for additional support, head on down to find out more about us. We are located near these beautiful parks for those who love natural scenery, so what are you waiting for? Join us today!
