Best Nature Parks In Austin Near Me

4worldlovers: Austin Parks Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to partnering with the Austin community to enhance people’s lives by making Austin’s parks better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy, and financial support.


We’re known for our annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and is a presenting partner and beneficiary of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park.

4worldlovers:
MP/CP is a volunteer group dedicated to restoring and improving Mayfield Park. The Mayfield Council is an advisory group within the MP/CP and meets monthly to discuss Mayfield Park-related projects. Both groups work very closely with PARD, The MP/CP has been active at Mayfield Park since the mid-1980s.


Vision: Mayfield Park/Community Project, sponsored by Friends of the Parks of Austin, a non-profit corporation, is restoring Mayfield Cottage and Gardens to the height of its development in the era of the 1920’s-1950’s. Funds have been raised through grants, foundations, and individuals since 1986. Working from a preservation master plan, restoration phases are proceeding as funds become available. The park is under the supervision of the Austin Parks and Recreation Department.

Park visitors can view the history at Mayfield Park with the new sign at the entrance:

Hours: open on a daily basis and closed between 10 PM and 5 AM

Reservations: For information on reserving the cottage and/or grounds please call PARD at 512-974-6797 or visit the PARD Events Website Page.

4worldlovers:

Nestled within southwest Travis County, The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Barton Creek Habitat Preserve is a step off the beaten path, encompassing more than 4,000 acres of pristine natural landscape and four miles of Barton Creek frontage. These waters flow through the preserve and end approximately 16 miles later at iconic Barton Springs, replenishing the Edwards Aquifer—the primary source of drinking water for two million Central Texans—along the way. Additionally, the preserve’s limestone canyons and tree-lined hills provide habitat for an incredible diversity of Texas species; in fact, the preserve was originally acquired through the Endangered Species Act to protect two migratory songbirds: the federally endangered golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. Sitting just a few miles from downtown Austin, this natural gem feels an entire world away.

Visitation is by appointment only outside of scheduled events/volunteer opportunities

Barton Creek Habitat Preserve was originally purchased in 1994 to prevent encroaching development, the pace of which has steadily grown in this region with Austin projected to reach nearly three million residents by 2030. As part of the larger Balcones Canyonlands Preserve system, Barton Creek Habitat Preserve is an important link within a network of protected lands in the Texas Hill Country.

Roughly 2,500 of the preserve’s 4,050 total acres provide mature oak and juniper forest habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler, the only bird species to nest exclusively in Central Texas. Additionally, portions of Barton Creek Habitat Preserve provide habitat for the black-capped vireo and other grassland bird species. While the black-capped vireo is no longer endangered, sightings in this region are rare—predominately due to lack of habitat, which TNC is working to restore on the preserve.

Finally, as the tranquil waters of Barton Creek flow through the preserve, they help to supply drinking water to Central Texans, recharge the Edwards Aquifer and protect the endangered Barton Springs salamander. As the Austin metro area continues to grow, prosper and develop at an unparalleled clip, Barton Creek Habitat Preserve remains critical for protecting water quality, conserving natural habitat and safeguarding Texas’ unique array of wildlife.

Discover the diverse plant life and wildlife at this Central Texas preserve on the edge of Austin.

Established in 1994 with funding from the Endangered Species Act, the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve is managed through restoration efforts, invasive species removal and prescribed fire. Other notable species found here include rare plants like the Heller’s False-Gromwell and Gravelbar Brickellbush, the Guadalupe Bass, which is endemic to the Edwards Plateau, and wildlife ranging from deer, coyotes, bobcats, foxes and porcupines to lizards, snakes and many species of birds.

Working with the community—especially as this region continues to grow—is an important part of our efforts on the preserve, which is frequently used for research projects in collaboration with universities, school groups, Boy/Girl Scouts, local youth programs and other partners. Recent projects include studies on pollinators, invasive species and monarch butterflies. Public visitation is limited to scheduled volunteer workdays and conservation-oriented groups; the preserve maintains a thriving outreach program for volunteers, researchers and nature lovers.

4worldlovers: Calling all thrill-seekers! Your next adventure awaits at McKinney Rough Nature Park. Choose from UTV rides through miles of multiuse trails, zip lining tours on the only dual zip line in Texas, rafting trips down the lower Colorado River and more. We offer facilities fit for special events and group lodging, and our staff can customize the unique experience you’re looking for.


1 bunkhouse: sleeps up to 10 (includes bed and bath linens, lounge space, television, refrigerator, Keurig, restrooms and showers, A/C, heat, covered porch and outdoor amenities)


5 dormitory floors: sleep up to 112 (includes A/C, heat, restrooms and showers)


Amphitheater: Outdoor theater with capacity up to 120 people, with electricity and water

Colorado Vista Pavilion: Outdoor pavilion with grill and electricity for up to 80 people. Download Colorado Vista map.

Wildflower Hall: Indoor space with capacity up to 240 people (includes A/C, heat, commercial kitchen and fireplace)

Wedding ceremony and reception sites with rentals and overnight accommodations available

Contact venues@lcra.org for additional details on our bunkhouse, meeting room(s), dormitories, Wildflower Hall and Colorado Vista Pavilion.

4worldlovers:
Parks are listed alphabetically. Select a park's address to view a map and get directions to the park.

In general, all parks are open for public use each day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. unless otherwise posted. At times, access is limited or affected by events or maintenance issues. To report any park non-emergency issue, call 3-1-1. Visit the 3-1-1 website to submit a maintenance concern online. Call 9-1-1 for all park emergencies.


For parks north of the Colorado River, contact the North District Manager. For parks south of the Colorado River, contact the South District Manager. For the Zilker District, contact the Zilker District Manager. For other inquiries, contact the Facilities Process Manager.


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