Updated for 2026
Austin is consistently ranked one of the fittest cities in the country, and it’s no wonder — we’ve got miles of trails for every mood, from a flat lakeside loop downtown to a granite-dome climb out in the Hill Country. Whether you want a quick sunset walk, a rugged creek-bed scramble, or a hike that ends with a cold beer and some goats, here’s my local’s guide to the best hiking trails in and around Austin, with hours, fees, and whether you can bring your dog — all updated for 2026.
SEE ALSO: 54 Best Things To Do In Austin, Texas (Updated 2026)
It’s warming up, so don’t miss my 11 Best Swimming Holes In Austin for cooling off after your hike.
Table of Contents
1. Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail / Boardwalk
Let’s start with the most popular spot in the city: the Lady Bird Lake loop, officially the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail. This 10-mile loop wraps around Lady Bird Lake, and you’ll see downtown from every angle, kayakers and paddleboarders on the water, and plenty of dogs living their best life. If you like people-watching and eavesdropping on conversations, this is the spot. There are several entry points, so pick whichever’s closest.
Hours: 5am-midnight daily (curfew midnight-5am)
Cost: Free
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
2. McKinney Falls State Park
One of the most popular hikes in Austin, thanks to its easy-to-walk smooth rock paths and the waterfalls along Onion Creek. It’s a swimming hole too — the Upper Falls has a cliff you can jump from (watch for submerged rocks), and the Homestead Trail at Lower Falls is a favorite. Just 20 minutes from downtown.
Koko Tip: Reserve a day pass before you go — the park closes to walk-ins once it hits capacity, which happens fast on summer weekends.
Hours: Park office 8am-4:15pm daily
Cost: $6 per person age 13+; kids 12 and under free
Reservations: Not required, but day passes are highly recommended
Good to know: As of summer 2026, swimming in the Lower Falls is not recommended due to water conditions — check the park’s alerts page first. No food, alcohol, glass, coolers, or speakers.
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash (not allowed in the water)
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy
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3. Covert Park at Mount Bonnell
You’ll climb 106 stone stairs up Mount Bonnell, but the view is so worth it — it’s been Austin’s favorite sunset perch since the 1830s. Bring a blanket and watch the sun drop over the water. It’s in a residential neighborhood, so be mindful of where you park.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Popular for: Hiking, sunrise/sunset
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
3800 Mount Bonnell Rd
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4. 360 Bridge
The 360 Bridge — officially the Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Bridge — connects the two sides of Loop 360. Put on real shoes, because it’s a rocky, slippery climb 167 feet up. The hike itself is short, so most people come just for the view, which is one of the best in the city.
Hours: Dawn to dusk
Cost: Free
Popular for: Short hike, sunrise/sunset
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
360 Bridge Overlook, Capital of Texas Hwy
SEE ALSO: 7 Best Picnic Spots In Austin
5. Walnut Creek Trail
Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park has several multi-use, nature-filled trails to choose from. The Walnut Creek Trail system keeps expanding — the long-term plan connects Govalle Neighborhood Park in East Austin all the way to Balcones District Park in North Austin. The concrete paths make it stroller-friendly, too.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Popular for: Hiking, walking, stroller-friendly
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
5200 Bolm Rd
6. Barton Creek Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is Austin’s most popular hiking destination — miles of limestone trails and swimming holes to dip into along the way. Mountain bikers love it too, so keep an eye out for them if you’re walking your pup. It spans 809 acres with several access points; the most popular is just after the 360 exit at 3918 S MoPac, which leads to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. You can also pick up the trailhead from Barton Springs next to Zilker Park.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Popular for: Hiking, mountain biking, swimming, fishing
Good to know: Water levels in the creek rise and fall with the rain — best after a wet stretch
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
3755 South Capital of Texas Hwy
7. Pease Park
Pease District Park sits just minutes from downtown with 42 acres of green space along Shoal Creek. The renovated Kingsbury Commons — with its splash pad, restored treehouse, play areas, and lawn — is open and worth a stroll. Fun fact: Pease Park has hosted Eeyore’s Birthday Party on the last weekend of April every year since 1963.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
1100 Kingsbury St
8. Turkey Creek Trail
Tucked inside Emma Long Metropolitan Park along the Colorado River, Turkey Creek Trail is a 2.8-mile round-trip loop with a rugged creek-bed path — a nice change from the manicured downtown trails. You’ll hike over rocky terrain, zig-zag the creek, and spot wildflowers. Best of all: dogs can run off-leash here.
Hours: 7am-10pm daily
Cost: Emma Long charges $5 per vehicle Mon-Thu and $10 Fri-Sun & holidays
Good to know: From March through September, pre-purchased day passes are required for Fri-Sun & holidays — buy online ahead of time, and note the entry machine only takes credit cards
Popular for: Hiking, running, fishing, mountain biking
Dog-friendly? Yes — off-leash!
Emma Long Metropolitan Park, 2000 City Park Rd
9. Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool is the showstopper — a collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall spilling into an emerald pool, about 45 minutes out in Dripping Springs. There are trails here, but most people (myself included) head straight for the water. It’s the most logistics-heavy spot on this list, so read the rules before you go.
Hours: Two daily windows — 9am-12:30pm and 2pm-5pm
Cost: Reservation fee ~$12 per vehicle (paid online in advance) PLUS an additional per-person entry fee paid in cash on arrival
Reservations: Required, per vehicle, booked online ahead of time. One reservation covers up to 8 people and one vehicle
Good to know: Swimming isn’t guaranteed — it’s sometimes closed due to high bacteria or low water, even with a reservation. There’s a quarter-mile hike over rough terrain to reach the pool.
Dog-friendly? No — pets are prohibited
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX
10. Mayfield Nature Preserve
The Mayfield–Gutsch Estate, now Mayfield Park, is a historic cottage, gardens, and nature preserve on a bluff overlooking Lake Austin. This 21-acre gem is filled with cottage gardens, towering palms, waterlilies, walking trails — and dozens of peacocks who are as beautiful as they are loud. Pair it with a visit to neighboring Laguna Gloria.
Hours: 5am-10pm daily
Cost: Free
Popular for: Walking, hiking, peacocks
Dog-friendly? No — pets are not allowed
3505 W 35th St
11. Red Bud Isle
One of the only parks in Austin where dogs run off-leash, Red Bud Isle is 13 shaded acres of trails, plus canoeing and kayaking on Lady Bird Lake. Bring water for you and your pup. Heads up: if you’ve got a little dog like me, know that there are a lot of big dogs running free here.
Koko Tip: Grab an iced coffee at Mozart’s before, or head to Hula Hut after if you’re hungry.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Popular for: Off-leash dog park, walking, kayaking, canoeing
Dog-friendly? Yes — off-leash!
3401 Redbud Trail
12. Mueller Lake Park
A hidden gem in East Austin, Mueller Lake Park has a 6.5-acre loop around the lake to walk or run, plus an open-air amphitheater, an interactive playscape, picnic spots, and public art. The Texas Farmers’ Market sets up here every Sunday from 10am-2pm, too.
Koko Tip: Walk over to Halcyon for an iced coffee or Lick for ice cream before or after.
Hours: 5am-10pm
Cost: Free
Popular for: Walking, running, picnicking, playground
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
4550 Mueller Blvd
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13. Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock isn’t technically in Austin, but it’s one of the best day trips for hiking — about 96 miles northwest, roughly 17 miles north of Fredericksburg. This massive pink granite dome has 11 miles of trails and some of the best Hill Country views in Texas. The cooler months make the summit climb actually enjoyable.
Koko Tip: Reserve a day pass online in advance — the park fills to capacity and turns walk-ins away, especially on weekends and holidays.
Hours: 6:30am-10pm daily (gate closes at 8pm)
Cost: $8 for adults, free for kids 12 and under
Popular for: Hiking, rock climbing
Dog-friendly? No
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX
14. Nature Trail at Jester King Brewery
The most Austin way to end this list: a hike that finishes with a beer. Jester King, the farmhouse brewery on a sprawling Hill Country ranch on the edge of town, has a 2-mile nature trail and a shorter half-mile farm loop that passes their herd of Nigerian dwarf goats. Do the walk, then reward yourself with a wild ale and a wood-fired pizza.
Hours: Check their site — hours vary by day
Cost: Free to hike (food and drink extra)
Reservations: Walk-ins only now — no reservation needed unless your party is 25+
Good to know: Want more goats? They run guided goat walks a few evenings a week (ticketed). Dogs are welcome on the property but not in the goat pen.
Dog-friendly? Yes, on a leash
13187 Fitzhugh Rd, Austin, TX
FAQs: hiking in Austin
What’s the best hiking trail in Austin?
For a classic, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is the most popular — miles of trails plus swimming holes. For an easy lakeside walk, the Ann and Roy Butler loop around Lady Bird Lake can’t be beat, and for a Hill Country adventure, Enchanted Rock is worth the drive.
Are there free hiking trails in Austin?
Most of them. Lady Bird Lake, Mount Bonnell, the 360 Bridge, the Greenbelt, Walnut Creek, Pease Park, Mayfield Park, Red Bud Isle, and Mueller are all free. Only the state and county parks — McKinney Falls, Emma Long, Hamilton Pool, and Enchanted Rock — charge a fee.
Which Austin trails are dog-friendly?
Almost all allow leashed dogs. For off-leash, head to Red Bud Isle or Turkey Creek Trail at Emma Long. Mayfield Park and Hamilton Pool don’t allow pets.
Which hikes need reservations?
Hamilton Pool requires a reservation (per vehicle, in advance). McKinney Falls and Enchanted Rock don’t require one but strongly recommend a day pass since they fill to capacity. Emma Long requires a pre-purchased day pass on weekends March through September.
Where can I hike near a swimming hole?
McKinney Falls, the Barton Creek Greenbelt, and Hamilton Pool all combine hiking with a place to cool off. See my full guide to Austin swimming holes for more.
