Amaro Law Firm, your top-rated Austin personal injury law firm, has compiled a list of the best parks for walking and enjoying nature.
Known for its music, food, and cool local culture, Austin is also home to gorgeous green space and fun outdoor recreation areas, with more than 17,000 acres comprising more than 300 parks across the city. While many of these are local neighborhood parks, with jogging and hiking trails, others are vast, verdant spaces, with all sorts of attractions for exercise enthusiasts, dog owners, families, and more.
Peppered with beautiful foliage, vibrant wildlife, and unique opportunities for fun, Austin parks are great places to visit year-round, whether you need some time out in nature alone or you’re planning to make some more memories with the people you love.
To help you figure out the place for your next outdoor adventure, here’s a local’s guide to the best parks in Austin, TX, with details about playgrounds, jogging trails, dog parks, swimming options, skateparks, and more.
Zilker Metropolitan Park
Where: 2207 Lou Neff Rd, Austin, TX, 78746
Hours: Mondays to Sundays, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Closures: N/A
What to Expect: Known as “Austin’s most-loved park,” Zilker Metropolitan Park packs a mind-blowing number of attractions into 351 acres. Along with its signature green spaces and Botanical Gardens, featuring the Taniguchi Oriental Garden, Zilker Park is home to the Austin Nature and Science Center, the natural spring-fed Barton Springs Pool, and the Zilker Hillside Theatre, which hosts all sorts of music events throughout the year.
And that’s just the beginning — there’s also the Zilker Club House (available for reservations), the Zilker Playscape, the McBeth Recreation Center, and several picnic areas. Whether you want to see Shakespeare in the park, go for a jog, or enjoy a family-friendly activity, you’re sure to find something fantastic to see, do, and enjoy at Zilker Park.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park (City Park)
Where: 1600 City Park Rd., Austin, TX, 78730
Hours: Mondays to Sundays, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., 365 days/year
Closures: None
What to Expect: Emma Long Metropolitan Park spans nearly 1,150 acres, offering an array of outdoor activities and family-friendly adventures. In spring and summer, you can visit the beach swimming area to cool off from the Austin heat or sign up for a fishing tournament, enjoying a competitive day on the water and in the sun. There are also several park features and play areas throughout the wide-open spaces, picnic tables, and campsites that can be reserved in advance. Daily tickets and season passes are available.
Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park
Where: 6620 Blue Bluff Rd., Austin, TX, 78724
Hours: Mondays to Sundays, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. (May to Sept.)
Closures: Open all year, with reduced hours from Sept. through April (closing at 4 p.m.)
What to Expect: Spanning nearly 1,840 acres, the Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park is home to a 1,200-acre lake that’s a major attraction for swimming, boating, jet skiing, and outdoor fun in the sun. In addition to the splash pad for kids and several volleyball courts, the Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park is also a go-to spot for fishing in Austin, boasting several varieties of freshwater fish, as well as easily accessible boat launch sites. While joggers and walkers will have plenty of trails and space to get in a challenging workout, there are also playgrounds, picnic areas, grilling areas, covered pavilions, and more.
Other Austin Parks
With the above, some other fantastic parks in Austin, TX, include (and are not limited to):
- Barton Creek Wilderness Park
- Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park
- Downs Mabson Fields
- Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX Skate Park
- James A. Garrison District Park
- Circle C Ranch on Slaughter Creek
- Balcones District Park
Hurt at or by an Austin Park?
As thrilling as parks and outdoor recreational areas can be, accidents can and do occur in and around parks, especially when anyone is careless and fails to take essential safety precautions. When that happens, causing accidents and injuries, you can get answers about your rights and information about a potential case from an experienced Austin personal injury lawyer.
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