Hi love! Spring has sprung in Texas! We have been safely tucked in our homes and ready to experience our city. Now that we are in the first phase of our state opening, we can enjoy nature! Let’s check out some places in the Austin area to picnic while maintaining social distancing.
Note: The following parks are currently open, but may have limited access to in regards to the use of playgrounds, gazebos, and courts. Please follow the most current executive orders for social distancing.
Brushy Creek Lake Park
3300 Brushy Creek Road
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
Located in Cedar Park, this park is known for its picturesque bluebonnet field and hiking trails. This 90-acre park is free to enter year-round. Bring a blanket and enjoy your picnic around the serene lake. You’ll find friendly ducks, streams of water, and even have the opportunity to fish. There’s plenty of room to maintain social distancing for kite flying, bike riding, and canoeing. This family-friendly park is enjoyable for all. You’ll find yourself frequenting this park for years to come.
Park Amenities: Picnic pavilions, grills, fishing pier, sand volleyball
Park Entry: Free
Elizabeth Milburn Park
1901 Sun Chase Boulevard
Cedar Park, Texas 78613
You’ll want to bring your bike to ride along the biking trail at Elizabeth Milburn. Pack your kite, volleyball, and football to toss on the open green space. Located adjacent to the sand volleyball pit, you’ll be able to enjoy dining in the shade. If the pavilion is unavailable for use or if you’d prefer to picnic on the green space, bring a blanket and create the perfect picnic setting.
Park Amenities: Sand volleyball, hiking/biking trails, soccer
Park Entry: Free
Garey Park
6450 RM 2243
Georgetown, Texas 78628
Located along the San Gabriel River, Garey Park is an ideal location for a picnic. Grab your walking shoes, water shoes, and your picnic to enjoy plenty of fun at this new park. Here you’ll find walking trails, acres of green space, playgrounds, and the pet-friendly park has a dog ranch that your family dog will love.
Tip: During this time of social distancing, the park entry is free.
Park Amenities: Play area, hiking, water fun, equestrian, dog ranch
Park Entry: Currently free ($5 resident and $10 non-resident)
Mayfield Park and Preserve
3505 W. 35th Street
Austin, Texas 78703
Relaxing times are to be expected at the beautiful, historic Mayfield Park and Preserve. The most enjoyable aspect of this preserve is that you’ll have the opportunity to hang out with peacocks. Take a hike into nature and explore the 21 acres of land. Enjoy your picnic lunch at the shaded picnic tables and enjoy the calming environment of ponds with koi fish.
Notes: No dogs allowed.
Park Amenities: Hiking trails, ponds
Park Entry: Free
Old Settlers Park
3300 E. Palm Valley Boulevard
Round Rock, Texas 78665
Located just a jump, skip, and hop away from the Dell Diamond. Old Settlers Park is located in Round Rock. With over 40 pavilions for use and ample green space for use, you walk right into the perfect picnic spot. Take the opportunity to take a brisk walk on over 3 miles of trail or kick the soccer ball on one of the seven soccer fields (if open) or fly a kite!
Amenities: Soccer, hiking, kite flying, volleyball, tennis, football
Park entry: Free
Southwest Williamson County Regional Park
3005 County Road 175
Leander, Texas 78641
All aboard! Let’s ride on over to the county park. Enjoy the park’s amenities. Take a tour around the park on Cedar Rock’s miniature train (depending on what Phase we are on, this ride and other activities may not be available.) Bring your tennis racket and tennis balls for an exciting game of tennis and your basketball to shoot some hoops. You’ll have fun on the playscape and soccer fields. Once you’ve had your fun, find one of the pavilions or take a seat on the open green and enjoy a relaxing picnic.
Park Amenities: Basketball, hiking trails, soccer, tennis
Park Entry: Free
Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Austin, Texas 78704
The last location is not going to be a shocker at all! Let’s head over to Zilker Park. One of the most popular parks in the Austin area, Zilker park, is brimming with activities for families. There is the perfect amount of green space to maintain social distancing for kite-flying, playing frisbee, and tossing a football with the family. You’ll be able to enjoy music in the park and relax on your pop-up hammock. With over 350 acres of space, Zilker Park is truly a fun picnic-friendly location for all ages to enjoy.
Note: Park visitors enjoy bringing their family dogs so be sure to keep a close eye out on your food as the dogs tend to be leash-free.
Park amenities: Bike and Canoe rentals, kayaking, volleyball
Park entry: Free
Pack your favorite fruits and sandwiches, grab some sunscreen, and let’s go on a picnic!
Honorable Mentions
Katherine Fleischer Park
San Gabriel Park
Springwood Park
Robin Bledsoe Park
Pennybacker Bridge
Do you have any favorite picnic places you love to visit?
Au revoir!
