x
Breaking News
More () »

Cabin Fever? Here are the best Central Texas parks to visit in the winter

Central Texas offers plenty of opportunity to explore the great outdoors, even in the cooler months.

TEXAS, USA — When the weather is cooler, Central Texas still has a lot to offer.

With so many parks, greenbelts and just places to spend time outside, it is easy to find something to do, you may just need to wear a jacket. 

CAVERNS

Central Texas has a few great caverns to tour and the best part of doing a cavern tour, is that it may just be warmer in the cave.

For instance, you can go to Longhorn Cavern State Park, located in Burnet, Texas.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Longhorn Cavern
Credit: Andrew Wilson
Longhorn Cavern
Credit: Andrew Wilson
Longhorn Cavern

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website states the cavern is just an hour and a half northwest of Austin and offers a lot to do. There are various hiking trails at the park, historical buildings and the cave tour itself. The cave is also rich in history, so you will be able to learn a lot during the tour.

Another cavern you can explore is Inner Space Cavern, located in Georgetown, Texas.

Inner Space Cavern is right off of I-35 and is only a short drive away from Austin.

The cavern is about 72 degrees with high humidity, making it feel closer to 80 degrees while you walk around the cavern and admire the rock formations.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Inner Space Cavern

TRAILS AND GREENBELTS

All throughout Austin there are trails and greenbelts to explore.

Some more notable ones are the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail, Bull Creek District Trail, Lower and Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt Trails, Red Bud Isle Park Trail and  Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park Trail.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Bull Creek Greenbelt

RELATED:

2,500 people attend 'Cave Day' at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Brief winter warm-ups get people out in Austin

Texans take part in First Day Hikes at Texas State Parks

PARKS

Whether they are run by cities, counties or the state, Central Texas offers a lot of great parks to explore in winter. You may just have to bundle up at times.

For Austin there is Emma Long Metropolitan Park, which offers great hiking and open fields to explore along the Colorado River.

There is also Zilker Park, which offers a lot of opportunity to hike around area trails and play on open fields near the Colorado River and Barton Creek.

Throughout Austin there are other, small parks that offer great opportunity within walking distance.

Not far from Austin, in Dripping Springs, is Hamilton Pool Preserve, which offers beautiful hiking trails, ending at a waterfall. While this area is a popular place to swim in the summer, the winter still offers beautiful views.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Hamilton Pool
Credit: Andrew Wilson
Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool Preserve is run by Travis County Parks. For a list of other parks run by this group, click here.

There is also a good amount of state parks within driving distance of Austin. Three of the more notable state parks within driving distance of Austin are McKinney Falls State Park, Colorado Bend State Park and Pedernales Falls State Park.

McKinney Falls State Park is located in Austin and offers a lot of great hiking trails along flowing creeks, waterfalls and rock formations.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
McKinney Falls State Park

Colorado Bend State Park is a little further away, in Bend, TX, but offers great opportunities for hiking, paddling and even has a cave tour. One of the most iconic areas of the park is Gorman Falls.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Gorman Falls at Colorado Bend State Park

Pedernales Falls State Park is located west of Austin, in Johnson City, Texas. The park offers views of a beautiful waterfall on the Pedernales River with plenty of hiking and swimming in the area.

There is also Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which is located near Fredericksburg, TX. Enchanted Rock offers stunning views along a large rock formation.

Credit: Andrew Wilson
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Credit: Andrew Wilson
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

For a map of more state parks throughout Texas, click here.

Before You Leave, Check This Out