Austin hiking trails with water, waterfalls, and gorgeous scenery are all around the city. From the heart of the city at Barton Springs to day trips in the Texas hill country, city nature lovers can find easy hiking trails with water all around Austin, Texas.
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The summer months here can be brutal, but we’ve had an exceptionally rainy season this spring. Because of this, many of the creek beds have a higher water level, which is perfect for enjoying nature and cooling off.
Here are my top recommendations. Easy hikes, tougher ones, and just fun, pretty ones. Many of these make “my favorite trails in Austin” list, but I’ve saved my absolute favorite for last, which won’t come as a surprise to anyone who knows me. 🙂
Barton Creek Greenbelt
The Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail is one of the most popular hiking spots in Austin, offering numerous swimming holes like Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. The Greenbelt covers about 12.68 miles of trails suitable for all kinds of fun outdoorsy stuff, like hiking, biking, and rock climbing. The bike trails range from pretty easy to somewhat challenging, so research the specific part you are going to hike or bike beforehand.
Trailhead: 2201 Barton Springs Road
Another entrance is 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin TX 78704
Some of the most popular spots on the Barton Creek Greenbelt include:
Sculpture Falls
Sculpture Falls, which is one of the most popular swimming holes on the Greenbelt, offers a beautiful spot to swim, relax, and enjoy the natural surroundings. Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls are the quintessential Austin hiking trails with water. The easiest access point is from the trailhead at the end of Scottish Woods Trail.
Twin Falls
Twins Falls is on the main trail of the Barton Creek Greenbelt. It has two waterfalls, which you might have been able to figure out by the name. It is a great spot to swim, sunbathe, and even picnic. You can get to Twin Falls by parking on the trailhead at 360. Parking areas are on both sides of the access road, but they fill up fast in pretty weather.
Entrance: 3900 Mopac Frontage Rd., Austin TX 78746
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Gus Fruh Trail
The Gus Fruh Trail passes a swimming hole and rock climbing locations. I’ve actually never been to this one, but I hear it is less crowded than Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls.
Trail head: 2642 Barton Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78704
Campbell’s Hole
Campbell’s Hole is accessed from the Spyglass Drive trailhead, and it is a little quieter and less crowded. It’s not private, obviously, but it’s great for a more secluded experience than Twin Falls.
Entrance: 1500 Spyglass Dr., Austin TX 78704
Seismic Wall
Seismic Wall is known for rock climbing and is great for climbers are various skill levels. It is made of limestone cliffs, so it has some challenging climbs, but great views. I know nothing about rock climbing, but if that’s your interest, I encourage you to look it up for details on the routes. The Gus Fruh trailhead is the access point to reach Seismic Wall.
Hill of Life
The Hill of Life is a gorgeous, steep incline leading down to the water. It is one of the best hiking trails for both a challenge, and beautiful views. At the top of the trail, you get the great views, and at the bottom, you get the water in Barton Creek. Win win! Enter the neighborhood from Scottish Woods Trail.
The Roy and Ann Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail
Commonly known as the Roy Butler Trail, the Roy and Ann Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is probably the most popular urban trail in Austin, Texas. Located in the heart of Austin, the train loops around Lady Bird Lake in downtown, providing a scenic and accessible 10-mile loop for hikers, runners, and cyclists.
Because it is within the city limits, it has many access points and parking lots. Pretty much anywhere you would park to go to Town Lake, you can access the trail from.
Points of interest along the trail include the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge, Barton Springs Pool, Auditorium Shores, and the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial. Many of my favorite spots to look at the Austin skyline are along the Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail.
Zilker Botanical Garden
The Zilker Botanical Garden is a gorgeous, curated 28 acres in the heart of Austin. It is in Zilker Park, but once inside, feels miles away. It features themed walking trails, which are well maintained and accessible. They are on the easy side, and are more like leisure walks than hikes.
Examples are a prehistoric garden that replicates the times when dinosaurs roamed central Texas, a Japanese garden, rose garden, and butterfly garden.
Located at 2220 Barton Springs Road.
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Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Located along the shores of Lake Austin in west Austin, Emma Long Metropolitan Park is one of the city’s largest and most popular parks. It covers over 1140 acres, and features hiking trails, picnic spots, barbecue pits, and an open grassy park space for lounging and games, like corn hole and hackeysack.
It was a great place to watch boats go by and just relax. If you looked down the river a bit, you could see a rope swing, people swimming, and soaking up sun.
I recently did a guided bird watching hike on the Turkey Creek Trail at Emma Long Park, and it was beautiful. It could have been a butterfly garden, for as many butterflies as we saw. The wildflowers were gorgeous in full bloom, and we might have even heard a golden cheeked warbler.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is located at 1600 City Park Road, about 10 miles northwest of downtown Austin.
McKinney Falls State Park
This state park is known for its impressive waterfalls, including the Upper Falls and Lower Falls on Onion Creek. The park offers nearly 9 miles of hiking, and mountain biking trails, making it a great spot for both scenic views and refreshing water experiences. McKinney Falls Pkwy. Both Upper and Lower McKinney Falls feature many beautiful waterfalls.
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
River Place Nature Trail
This challenging trail includes multiple creek crossings and waterfalls, especially in the Little Fern Trail section. The trail is well-known for its scenic beauty and the 2,763 wooden steps that add a unique element to the hike. The full trail is over 5 miles, so set aside a few hours for this challenging, vertical hike.
8820 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730-1529
Bull Creek District Park and Greenbelt
This area features beautiful trails along Bull Creek, where you can spot wildlife and enjoy the flowing creek. The park offers a tranquil hiking experience with several access points to explore.
6701 Lakewood Dr, Austin, TX 78731
St. Edward’s Park
St. Edward’s Park provides a serene hiking experience with creeks and small waterfalls. The Creek and Hill Trail is particularly popular for its scenic views and peaceful environment. Though it’s not as well known, it’s definitely up there on the list of must-do Austin hiking trails with water.
7301 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, TX 78759
Spicewood Valley Trail
This hidden gem offers an out-and-back hike with creeks, small waterfalls, oak trees, and limestone. It provides a quiet and delightful urban hiking experience.
8043-8585 Scotland Well Dr, Austin, TX 78750
Hikes With Water on the Outskirts of Austin
Krause Springs
Located in Spicewood, about 30 miles west of Austin, Krause Springs is a well-known camping and swimming site. It features 32 springs that feed into both natural and man-made pools. The trails around the springs offer a lush, scenic hike with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the water. Krause Springs has tent camping and RV camping sites. I haven’t been to Krause Springs in over 10 years, so if you go, please let me know how it is!
424 County Road 404, Spicewood, TX 78669
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Situated about 23 miles west of Austin, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a stunning natural pool created by a collapsed grotto. The preserve features a short but beautiful hiking trail that leads to the pool, where you can admire the 50-foot waterfall and swim in the emerald waters. It is one of the best waterfalls in Central Texas. Reservations are required to visit the nature preserve.
24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs 78620
Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park is a fantastic place to hike near the Austin area. Located about 30 miles west of the city, the park offers a variety of trails that cater to different skill levels and provide stunning views of the Pedernales River and surrounding landscapes.
If you’re willing to make a little road trip beyond the outskirts of Austin, and looking for some more challenging trails, Colorado Bend State Park is the perfect place for you. Colorado Bend State Park is west of Austin and north of Johnson City, about an hour and a half drive out.
Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park offers excellent hiking trails that are highly regarded for their scenic beauty and variety. Here are some of the best trails and features of the park.
Gorman Falls
Gorman Falls Trail leads to Gorman Falls, a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall. The 3 mile round trip hike is moderately challenging, with rocky terrain and a steep descent to the falls, but the view of the falls is well worth every bit of the climb!
Spicewood Springs Trail
Spicewood Springs Trail follows the creek, offering multiple crossings and natural swimming holes along the way. The trail is scenic and relatively moderate, making it a favorite for those looking to enjoy water features and lush surroundings. The Spicewood Springs Trail is about 3 miles round trip.
The River Trail
The River Trail runs along the Colorado River, so you have beautiful views of the river, flora and fauna. This 1.5 mile hike is on the easier side.
Lemon’s Ridge Pass
Lemon’s Ridge Pass is challenging, and covers a variety of terrain, ridges, and several miles of the park. It is 5.6 miles round trip, and is good for experienced hikers looking to see much of the park.
Cedar Chopper Loop
Cedar Chopper Loop is a longer hike, 7.5 miles round trip, and gives views of many types of landscape as well. It is moderately difficult but very scenic.
Tie Slide Trail
Tie Slide Trail is 3.3 miles round trip, and is known for its expansive views of the Colorado River. The trail has flat and rocky parts, and is a moderate intensity, yet beautiful, hike.
Colorado Bend State Park’s trails offer something for everyone, from easy river walks to challenging hikes with rewarding views and beautiful waterfalls. The park’s diverse terrain and natural beauty make it a top destination for hikers in Texas.
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More Hikes* With Water** in Austin
Back to Austin! Here are a few more hikes in Austin, to help you pass some summer weekends.
Mount Bonnell is a great, short hike. You can’t really get in the water here, but you have a fantastic, elevated view of the river.
Blunn Creek Greenbelt Trail is also a quick hike in the city. It is 1.5 miles and relatively easy, but still a great escape into nature.
** These two hikes above don’t really have water you can get in. They don’t technically count as Austin hiking trails with water, but they’re great urban escapes when you need a quick hike.
And finally, my favorite, Barton Springs!
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is no longer a hidden gem in Austin, sadly. Maybe it never was! It is still my favorite, and it’s well worth the trip and the parking and the hassle of sharing it with thousands of other people.
Barton Springs is a natural springs that feels a natural pool. The water temperature is a consistent 68-70 degree all year round. The water quality is fantastic, and it just feels like magic every time.
**If you count the short hike from the parking lot, then you can count this as a hike. It has two asterisks because it’s not really a hike. It’s just my favorite water spot in Austin. 🙂
My Favorite Austin Hiking Trails With Water
So there you have it! Those are my favorite Austin hiking trails with water, the most popular, and highly rated in both Austin and Central Texas/Hill Country.
If you’re bored with the rat race of city living, try adding in some hikes and picnicking/camping into your after noon or weekend routines. It’s great physical activity, moderate to higher than moderate cardio, and helps you connect with nature.
Get on your hiking shoes, pack your water, and let me know what hikes you do!
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About the author
Kathryn Alexander is a strength coach and personal trainer in Austin, Texas. She loves hiking, college football, and the feel of a perfectly knurled barbell. Read more about Kathryn here.
