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    McKinney Roughs Nature Park

    4.4 (39 reviews)
    Closed 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Trail map about 1 mile from Hyatt resort
    Shannon B.

    I ran from the Hyatt resort to McKinney and then through the trails. The trails could have been a little better marked, but it was gorgeous. There were short and long hikes. It was pretty up and down, which was great.

    Christa S.

    Definitely a fan of this hiking spot. Lauren L and I were looking for a new spot to try and she had read good things, so we opted to give McKinney Roughs a try. There was a nice parking area and the welcome center has a ranger who collects $5 per person for trail access. A nominal fee for a nice quality trail. We set out on our hike and while the parking lot had an ample number of cars, we never saw anyone else until the end of our trek as the other hikers were entering the trail. Beautiful scenery, views and hilly trails made for fun hiking conditions. A spot I would certainly consider returning to. Questioned posting my review here as I don't want it to get over crowded, but I think the small entrance fee and bit more of a drive from Austin will keep people away. However, if you are up for something off the beaten path, give McKinney Roughs and its trails a try.

    Down by the river ....
    Mark M.

    So many Austin folk head west for a hike. That's why all those places out west are so crowded. We head east--to McKinney Roughs, just a handful of miles down 71 past the airport, and immediately past Hyatt Lost Pines Resort. Managed by LCRA, the nature park flanks the Colorado River and is well managed and well taken care of. For a casual hike for people with average hiking skills, this place is perfect. There are two entrance points, both off of 71 (we recommend using the one slightly farther east, about a mile past main entrance). Otherwise: - Suggested entry fee of a few bucks (little metal box if you choose to oblige) - Never crowded - in the four-ish times I've been (always on a weekend/holiday), we rarely see other people - Also a fairly popular place to ride horses, so keep alert and aware (of the horses and their poop on the trails) - Dozens of combinations of trail options featuring various distances, elevations, scenery, difficulty, and the like--there are four separate eco-systems in this one park--so you'll experience a lot in a small area - Beautiful vistas from the top of a few of the trails, tons of shade on certain trails, and excellent access to the Colorado River - You'll be mad at yourself if you wear good shoes and expect to leave with them clean - Apparently there are Bald Eagles nesting in the area - so you may get lucky and see them! - Easy parking - Great for families Check conditions and get trail maps here: http://www.lcra.org/parks/developed-parks/Pages/mckinney-roughs-nature-park.aspx

    Environmental Education Building
    Kimberly K.

    LCRA Park with 4 different ecosystems on beautiful, peaceful land that is adjacent to the Colorado River. Hiking and horseback riding (BYOH) ... not far from the airport, in between Austin and Bastrop on 71. Recreational activities for all ages...pamphlets in the office. $3 for adults and kids under 13 free. Disclaimer: I was the designer/project manager for an architecture firm when we designed the first 2 buildings and later when I started my own firm, I designed the 3 dormitories and Dining hall with my previous employer. I have spent a lot of time on this land and it is very peaceful and interesting with the four ecosystems. The LCRA employees are very knowledgeable about the land - both flora and fauna - and the pamphlets that they have put together to take on a hike help to appreciate the birds and flowers and trees and soils. Mac, one of the LCRA employees who takes care of the buildings and land, told me a story that one day he saw a woman sitting at the end of one of the porches, staring off into the forest and sky, and she had a large hat pulled down over her long, dark hair. He watched her and thought she looked familiar but he did not know for sure. Later he realized it was Yoko Ono.

    Stephanie R.

    What a great park. Very nice visitor center with live displays of some of the critters in the park (fish, snakes, lizards, etc.). Trails are nicely marked and the map shows contour lines 50ft) so it's very easy to navigate. My husband said they have the cleanest restrooms he's ever seen. Not sure if I'm taking that personally or not. We hiked and hiked and only saw one group of equestrian riders. Other than that we had the park to ourselves. The 199 year old pecan tree is a sight to see. HUGE..but I hear the pecans are quite small. Great place for the family or a romantic hike with your honey.

    Mike G.

    Probably wasn't the best idea to come right after thunderstorm, muddy trail, humidity and plenty spider webs, but saw some giant red flying bees, wild hare and plenty butterflies, good morning hike. Bring bug spray, you will need it. $5 for adult.

    One of the many lovely views the park has to offer
    Leigh Z.

    This is one of my most favorite hiking spots in the area (i drive over from south Austin). I have been out there many times over the past couple years including going this past weekend. The facilities are always super clean, the staff are always nice, there is always parking and the trails for the most part are always tended too and marked. (the only trail issue I ever had was a tree was down blocking the path one time last year but it was RIGHT after a storm so they may haven't had time to clear it off yet). I like the variety of trails from some that are easy and some a tad harder or more on an incline. There is a fee to get in the park but compared to many of the other state parks I have hiked, I feel that their fee is very reasonable and the park is very maintained. My suggestion is to go EARLY.... like 9:30 or 10:00 to hike because there starts to be a lot more people later in the morning and early afternoon. You can also get down by the water and lots of folks take their dogs and the dogs love getting in the water. :) Pack a lunch and pick a nice day to go and you won't regret it! I will be out there several more times this year.

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    5 years ago

    $5 to go on the trails for as long as you want! Is also a nice wedding venue. Great place

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    3 years ago

    this place was great and had some beautiful scenery. although: i think it's dumb you have to pay to walk on a trail.. lol.

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    6 years ago

    So many more trails than I thought! Nothing super amazing to see but a great way to get some exercise. Definitely recommend!

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    4 years ago

    i like coming here, their trails are very unique, love all the scenery. if youre a visitor come in spring, summer is too hot

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    11 years ago

    This park is wonderful. It is simple, beautiful and a great spot for hikers and riders to explore and be with nature.

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    Ask the Community - McKinney Roughs Nature Park

    Review Highlights - McKinney Roughs Nature Park

    LCRA Park with 4 different ecosystems on beautiful, peaceful land that is adjacent to the Colorado River.

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    Bastrop State Park

    Bastrop State Park

    4.1(89 reviews)
    10.4 mi

    We camped here spontaneously one weekend in February. The good: the trails are lovely! There are…read moremany miles and different terrains to explore. I love the pine trees and views from some of the trails. The campground is lovely as well. Very clean. Spaces are large. People are respectful. But... A big con is the traffic noise at night! We stayed in the Copperas Creek Camping Area, which is quite close to the road, so we expected some noise. But it was intense both noise. A loud, long crash woke me up in the middle of the night, with a second crash crashing into the debris from the first one. That whole incident kept me up for 2 hours. I don't know if the other campgrounds in the park are any better. The park is nestled in a populated area so I doubt it. But the trails and area are beautiful!! So I would definitely recommend for hiking!! Not so much tent camping... (maybe it's better in an RV?).

    We stopped by Bastrop State Park on a whim while driving to Austin, and it ended up being a great…read moredecision. It's less than a 2-hour drive from Houston and under an hour from Austin, which makes it an easy add to a road trip. I especially appreciated that the entrance is right off Highway 71, so you're not wasting a bunch of time driving deep into back roads just to get to the park. We visited on a beautiful Saturday in January -- sunny and in the 50s, basically perfect hiking weather. While there are plenty of trees throughout the park, many of the trails are fairly exposed, so you get a lot of sun. Definitely bring sunscreen, even in cooler weather. The trails are wide and well-maintained, with sand and rocks laid down in many areas, making them easy to walk. The terrain is nicely hilly but nothing too difficult (we did about 4 miles total). One thing to note: trail signage is a bit limited, and it would be easy to get turned around and know where to turn. Thankfully, I had decent cell reception (T-Mobile) and was able to use Google Maps to track where we were. Parking was easy, the staff were friendly, and the landscape was beautiful. We used our Texas State Parks annual pass, which saved us the $15 entrance fee, and the entry process was quick and simple. The line of cars trying to get in was only 2. I'd love to come back in the spring when everything is blooming. Overall, a great stop if you want scenic views, manageable trails, and a convenient location. Highly recommend if you're on your way to Houston or Austin. There's also a Buccees just a few miles away!

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    Bastrop State Park
    Bastrop State Park
    Bastrop State Park

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(312 reviews)
    16.1 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!

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    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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    Palmetto State Park - Storm came down hard.

    Palmetto State Park

    4.4(72 reviews)
    38.0 mi

    Great, secluded state park next to a neighborhood. I'd consider Palmetto a hidden gem in Texas. I…read moredrove here from Austin and it took me about 1.5 hours. The way I took lead me down a neighborhood street, which led me straight to the park's headquarters. They had a small and very limited selection of gifts for purchase, but the park ranger there was friendly and recommended a couple of trails and points of interest. I hiked a series of trails along the outside perimeter of the park, which combined was about 3.5 miles. Each new segment had a different ecosystem and it was interesting to see different sights and hear new sounds. The trails are mostly shaded, though I went on an overcast day. There's also a low river crossing where I saw some people fishing on. At all Texas state parks, no fishing license is needed to fish. The sound of the river was soothing and refreshing. I genuinely enjoyed my time here and would love to return here to visit again someday.

    We really enjoyed our time at Palmetto State Park, despite the inclement weather we experienced…read more The park is beautiful and well maintained. Lots of families get day passes for the playground, swimming, and fishing. We stayed at a water only campsite right next to Oxbow Lake, that was also within walking distance to the park headquarters. There were TONS of gorgeous trail options and we were able to hike about 4 miles around the park. Although the park no longer offers boat rentals (you can bring your own), they do have a fishing loaner system, which we took advantage of. All the park rangers and volunteers were lovely. April was our Park Host and she was on top of it! She patrols diligently and even helped clear a water moccasin from the roadway. The only reason for this four star review is because of the parks bathrooms. The campgrounds aren't huge, but there are only two family style bathrooms in each campground. Each bathroom is a toilet/shower combination, so during peak season, I could see campers waiting a long time for the facilities. The bathrooms were also poorly maintained (dirt, bugs, critter poop, etc) plus day visitors have access to the campground bathrooms, which also poses a problem for accessibility.

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    Palmetto State Park - In to the Texas glades we go ...

    In to the Texas glades we go ...

    Palmetto State Park - Before you enter the park

    Before you enter the park

    Palmetto State Park

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    McKinney Roughs Nature Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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