Things to do nearEmma Long Metropolitan Park

Opened in 1960 and named for a longtime Austin city council member, Emma Long Metropolitan Park holds the distinction of being the city's first metropolitan park. Its roughly 1,100 acres of Hill Country terrain preserve a landscape of cedar, oak, and exposed limestone that feels genuinely wild despite sitting within city limits.

The park's main draw is its access to Lake Austin, the stretch of the Colorado River impounded between Tom Miller and Mansfield dams. A designated swim beach with a roped-off area offers a refreshing escape on hot Texas afternoons, and the calm water invites kayaking along wooded coves. Anglers target largemouth bass and catfish from the bank or from small boats launched at the ramp inside the park.

Beyond the water, a network of unpaved trails winds through the cedar-covered hills, rewarding hikers with ridge views and the sounds of canyon wrens. The park also has tent and RV campsites with hookups, making it one of the few places in Austin where you can spend the night under a canopy of oaks without leaving town.

For those wanting more time on the water, guided kayaking experiences on the lake pair well with a visit here. Emma Long Metropolitan Park is worth the short drive from downtown for anyone who wants genuine Hill Country scenery without leaving the city.