Lake Travis & Hill Country Trails
State parks, swimming holes, and preserves for west Austin and Lakeway buyers who want weekend adventure close to home
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West of Austin, the Hill Country opens up into a different landscape - juniper-covered limestone hills, clear spring-fed creeks, and Lake Travis stretching 65 miles through the canyons. For buyers in Lakeway, Bee Cave, Spanish Oaks, and Spicewood, these trails and parks are the weekend routine. Hamilton Pool is a collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall. Pedernales Falls is a mile-wide cascade over tilted limestone slabs. Reimers Ranch has 18 miles of singletrack that mountain bikers drive across town to ride. This is not suburban hiking - the terrain is rugged, the distances are real, and the swimming holes are some of the best in the state. Most of these destinations are 20-45 minutes from Lakeway, which is why the area draws outdoors-focused families willing to trade a longer commute for direct access to the Hill Country.
Trail Map
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Highlights
- Collapsed grotto with 50-foot waterfall into jade-green pool
- One of the most photographed natural sites in Texas
- Canyon walls covered in maidenhair ferns and moss
- Endangered golden-cheeked warbler habitat in surrounding juniper
Parking
Hamilton Pool Road, reservation required through Travis County Parks. $15 per vehicle. Book 2+ weeks ahead in summer.
Local Tip
Reservations are mandatory and sell out fast from May through September. Book exactly 30 days ahead when slots open. Weekday mornings in spring have the smallest crowds and the waterfall is usually flowing.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Highlights
- Mile-wide falls cascade over tilted limestone slabs
- Multiple trail loops through Hill Country grassland and oak savanna
- Swimming area below the falls (when water level allows)
- Excellent birding - painted buntings, black-capped vireos in spring
Parking
State park entrance off FM 3232. $6 per adult entry fee. Arrive before 10 AM on weekends or the park closes to new entry.
Local Tip
The falls area is photogenic but the real hiking is on the Juniper Ridge and Wolf Mountain trails deeper in the park. Most visitors never make it past the falls overlook, so the backcountry trails are quiet even on busy weekends.
Pace Bend Park
Highlights
- Limestone cliffs dropping 30-40 feet into Lake Travis
- Cliff jumping at multiple heights (5 to 35 feet)
- Primitive camping on the water
- 9 miles of mountain bike trails on the interior loop
Parking
Multiple access points within the park. $10 per vehicle entry fee through Travis County.
Local Tip
The north shore cliffs have the best jumping spots and deepest water. Drive past the main beach areas and park at the primitive camping spots near the point. Check lake levels before going - low water exposes rocks at the base of the cliffs.
Reimers Ranch Park
Highlights
- 18 miles of purpose-built mountain bike singletrack
- Rock climbing on the Pedernales River canyon walls
- Swimming in the Pedernales River at low water
- Raptor nesting cliffs - watch for nesting closures in spring
Parking
Reimers Ranch Road off Hamilton Pool Road. $5 per vehicle. Multiple trailhead parking areas within the park.
Local Tip
The mountain bike trails are graded by difficulty with color-coded markers. Blue trails like Rim and River are rideable by intermediates. Black-diamond trails like Spicewood and Cypress have serious drops. Check trailhead kiosks for current closures.
River Place Nature Trail
Highlights
- Steep canyon descent to the Colorado River
- Waterfall at the bottom (seasonal, best after rain)
- 600 feet of elevation change in under 2 miles
- Used by trail runners as an interval workout
Parking
River Place Blvd trailhead in the River Place subdivision. Free but limited spots. No street parking enforced.
Local Tip
This trail is essentially a staircase down to the river and back up. It is a genuine workout - not a casual hike. The waterfall at the bottom only flows after significant rain. Go after a wet week for the payoff.
Krause Springs
Highlights
- 32 natural springs feeding multiple swimming pools
- Man-made dam creates a large swimming area
- Butterfly garden and old-growth cypress trees
- Primitive camping under the trees
Parking
Private property on Spur 191 near Spicewood. $9 per adult. Cash or check only.
Local Tip
Krause Springs is privately owned and has been in the same family for generations. The upper springs are shallow and warm - good for small kids. The lower pool by the dam is deeper and cooler. Cash only at the gate.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park (Turkey Creek Trail)
Highlights
- Only City of Austin park with Lake Austin shoreline access
- Turkey Creek Trail loops through juniper and oak woodland
- Swimming in Lake Austin at the park beach
- Camping sites directly on the water
Parking
City Park Road off FM 2222. $5 per vehicle on weekdays, $10 weekends (March-October).
Local Tip
Emma Long fills to capacity on summer weekends and the gate closes by 10 AM. Friday afternoons are the move - you get the beach almost to yourself and can camp overnight.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Looking for a home near these trails? These neighborhoods have the best access.