10 outdoorsy day trips within an hour of Austin, TX

WHEN TO VISIT: YEAR-ROUND 35min | 32 miles 🚤 Cost: $5/vehicle Operating hours vary by park 🚤 Lake Georgetown is a 1,200 acre lake, with public parks dotting its shoreline. The Goodwater Loop, or San Gabriel River trail) circles the lake and can be accessed from multiple trailheads. It makes for a great multi-night backpacking trip! Boating is popular and the fishing is excellent. All day use passes must be purchased online through Recreation.gov! Gate houses no longer accept payments. There is typically a QR code to scan at the park. Cedar Breaks Park: Day use hours are 6AM to sunset. Park amenities include a boat ramp, trail access, and a fishing dock. Russell Park: Day use hours are 6AM to sunset. Day use area is open from April to October. Park amenities include a swim beach, shade shelters, a boat ramp, trail access. No pets are allowed in the swim beach area. Overlook Park: Free access. Day use only, open from 8AM to sunset. Parking is limited. There is a fishing dock & access to the trail.

RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WHEN TO VISIT: YEAR ROUND 40min | 35 miles The park often reaches capacity, especially in the summer and on weekends. Book up to 30 days in advance to guarantee entry! 🌲 Cost: $5/adult, 12 and under free Open daily 6AM - 10Pm; office hours 🌲 Bastrop State Park (and the adjacent Buescher State Park) can make for a fun filled day of adventure! Take any of the seven miles of trails through the Lost Pines, which are still recovering from the 2011 wildfire. During the summer months, the park’s swimming pool is open! It’s a great way to cool down after a hike. You can make a reservation for the pool through the Texas State Parks reservation website. Additional fees apply. Take the 20 minute scenic drive also Park Road 1C to Buescher (pronounced bish-er) State Park to explore the neighboring park, too!

RESERVATION ONLY LIMITED PUBLIC TOURS 40min | 31 miles 🌿 Cost: varies depending on the tour Open by reservation only 🌿 Westcave is a 76-acre preserve that is working to ensure that green space in the ever growing Travis county is protected. To visit, you must book a tour. They offer a number of different options, from hikes to the grotto, star parties, forest bathing, yoga, and more! Find one that suits your fancy and book in advanced! They fill fast due to high demand.

WHEN TO VISIT: YEAR-ROUND 40min | 34 miles 🐦 Cost: free Open daily sunrise to sunset 🐦 Balcones Canyonlands NWR has two different areas to explore - Doeskin Ranch & Warbler Vista. There is also Shin Oak Observation Deck, located just around the corner from Doeskin Ranch. Both Doeskin Ranch & Warbler Vista offer hiking trails of varying difficulties and wildlife viewing opportunities. The refuge is home to the endangered Golden-cheeked warbler and the Black-capped vireo. As a wildlife refuge, this site’s main focus is conservation. As such, there are fewer amenities and options available for visitors. Please be mindful when you visit and leave no trace!

RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WHEN TO VISIT: YEAR-ROUND 45min | 39 miles The park often reaches capacity, especially in the summer and on weekends. Book up to 30 days in advance to guarantee entry! 🥾 Cost: $6/adult; 12 and under free Open daily 8AM - 10PM 🥾 Located in Johnson City, Pedernales Falls (prounounced per-duh-nal-is) is a great spot to connect with nature in whatever way you prefer! With more than 40 miles of trails that take you through the Texas Hill Country, swimming, educational programs, and wildlife watching, you’ll want to keep coming back for more! Be aware that the swimming area requires some effort to get to. While the trail is less than a quarter of a mile, it is rocky and steep. It is downhill heading to the river and uphill coming back. Explore the falls area and hop from rock to rock when the water is low. Be cautious of the weather, as the river is prone to flash flooding! Fishing is free in Texas State Parks & you don’t not need to have a fishing license!

WHEN TO VISIT: SPRING 50min | 37 miles 🚲 Cost: $5/adult, 12 and under free Open daily sunrise to sunset 🚲 Muleshoe Bend is operated by LCRA (Lower Colorado River Authority). This park offers almost 10 miles of mountain biking/hiking trails, a boat ramp, swimming, fishing, and more! You can visit year-round and have a great experience, but their bluebonnets in the spring have been pretty great! Equipment rentals are available Thursday - Sunday. Rent kayaks, paddleboards, and even electric bikes! Cost varies depending on how long the rental is for. You can rent anywhere from 2hrs to all day!

RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED WHEN TO VISIT: YEAR-ROUND 55min | 49 miles The park often reaches capacity, especially in the summer and on weekends. Book up to 30 days in advance to guarantee entry! 🎣 Cost: $5/adult, 12 and under free Open daily 7AM - 10PM; office hours 8AM - 4:30PM 🎣 Small park right in the small town of Blanco, Texas. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, biking, and hiking are all options here! There are two dams in the park - one to the west, which includes the historic CCC pool. The other is off to the left towards the eastern boundary of the park. The most popular swim area is obviously the pool, but I always prefer the quieter east end. Getting in and out of the water isn’t quite as smooth, as there are steeper banks over there, but the quiet is worth it in my opinion! There is LOTS of shade along the river, thanks to the big beautiful trees, and day use picnic tables with shade shelters are scattered through the area. There are two short hiking trails in the park, a playground, and lots of picnic areas. Restrooms are scattered along the road that runs east and west along the river. Fishing is free in Texas State Parks & you don’t not need to have a fishing license! This is our go-to spot in the summer!