Things to Do 1–2 Hours from San Antonio with Kids
42 kid-friendly adventures about 1 to 2 hours from San Antonio, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (21)
- 1-2 hours (42)
- 2-3 hours (14)
- 3-4 hours (9)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown San Antonio, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 1 to 2 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in San Antonio you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Dripping Springs, TX
SwimmingJaw-dropping grotto with 50-foot waterfall and natural swimming pool. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Reimers Ranch Park
Dripping Springs, TX
Rock-ClimbingPremier Central Texas rock climbing with 18 miles of trails. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Pedernales Falls State Park
Johnson City, TX
HikingDramatic tilted limestone falls and river swimming in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Pedernales Falls State Park Camping
Johnson City, TX
CampingShaded campsites and walk-in tent sites under some of the darkest night skies within an hour of …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Pedernales Falls Trammel Crossing
Johnson City, TX
SwimmingHistoric river crossing with natural wading pools away from the crowds. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Pedernales River Nature Park
Johnson City, TX
SwimmingQuiet Pedernales River swimming with limestone wading pools. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Fredericksburg, TX
HikingIconic granite dome summit scramble with 360-degree Hill Country views. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Enchanted Rock Walk-In Camping
Fredericksburg, TX
CampingWalk-in tent sites and primitive backcountry camping at the granite dome, and the reliable way in …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park Camping
Fredericksburg, TX
CampingCity-run RV and tent camping ten minutes from Main Street, the practical base for Enchanted Rock and …
about 1 hr 15 min drive
Palmetto State Park
Gonzales, TX
HikingTropical palmetto forest and warm springs along the San Marcos River. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Vanderpool, TX
HikingStunning fall foliage and limestone canyon trails along the Sabinal River. Paid entry. Best from …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Lost Maples State Natural Area Camping
Vanderpool, TX
CampingRiverside campsites and hike-in primitive sites at the one Texas park with real fall color, and your …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Garner State Park
Concan, TX
SwimmingLegendary Frio River swimming and summer dances in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about age …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Garner State Park Camping and Cabins
Concan, TX
CampingCypress-shaded campsites, screened shelters and CCC cabins along the Frio River at the most …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Austin Aquarium
Austin, TX
AquariumHands-on north Austin aquarium where kids feed stingrays, touch sea stars in shallow pools and walk …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Austin Bouldering Project
Austin, TX
Rock-ClimbingIndoor bouldering gym in south Austin with colour-graded routes, padded floors and day passes with …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Austin, TX
Hiking12 miles of creek trails with swimming holes and bouldering in Austin. Free. Best from about age 5. …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Barton Springs Pool
Austin, TX
SwimmingIconic 3-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Park at 68 degrees year-round. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Blanton Museum of Art
Austin, TX
MuseumUT Austin art museum whose Ellsworth Kelly stone chapel floods the floor with shifting colored light …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Bull Creek Greenbelt
Austin, TX
SwimmingShallow limestone creek pools perfect for toddler wading. Free. Best from about age 3. About two …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Bullock Texas State History Museum
Austin, TX
MuseumThree floors of Texas history in downtown Austin anchored by a real 1686 shipwreck hull, plus an …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Emma Long Metropolitan Park
Austin, TX
SwimmingSandy Lake Austin swimming beach and lakeside camping inside Austin city limits - entry $5-$10 per …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Lady Bird Lake
Austin, TX
KayakingKayaking and paddleboarding on calm water through downtown Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
McKinney Falls State Park
Austin, TX
HikingTwo limestone waterfalls with wading pools inside Austin city limits. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Mount Bonnell
Austin, TX
Hiking102-step climb to panoramic views over Lake Austin. Free. Best from about age 4. About an hour. Dogs …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Thinkery
Austin, TX
ScienceAustin children's museum built for hands-on play, with water tables, a light and shadow lab, a maker …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
Austin, TX
HikingPeaceful woodland trails with a waterfall and nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
McKinney Roughs Nature Park
Cedar Creek, TX
Hiking1,100 acres with horseback riding and river trails along the Colorado. Paid entry. Best from about …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Grelle Recreation Area
Spicewood, TX
HikingUncrowded Lake Travis cove with wooded trails and swimming. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Krause Springs
Spicewood, TX
SwimmingSpring-fed pools under ancient cypress trees with camping. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Krause Springs Camping
Spicewood, TX
CampingCamp above a spring-fed swimming hole and rope swing on a family-owned Hill Country property, with …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area Camping
Spicewood, TX
CampingPrimitive lakeside campsites, family-friendly singletrack and a famous spring bluebonnet field on …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Pace Bend Park
Spicewood, TX
SwimmingRocky limestone coves and cliff jumping on Lake Travis. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Pace Bend Park Camping
Spicewood, TX
CampingDrive-up primitive camping right on the Lake Travis shoreline, with sheltered swimming coves on the …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop, TX
HikingLost Pines hiking with swimming pool and Junior Rangers. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Bastrop State Park Cabins
Bastrop, TX
LodgingHistoric 1930s CCC stone cabins among the Lost Pines east of Austin, among the hardest reservations …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Brushy Creek Regional Trail
Cedar Park, TX
Biking14-mile paved trail with playgrounds connecting Cedar Park and Round Rock. Free. Works from toddler …
about 1 hr 45 min drive
Lake Pflugerville Park
Pflugerville, TX
SwimmingFree lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …
about 2 hr drive
Inks Lake State Park
Burnet, TX
SwimmingSpring-fed lake swimming and cliff jumping at Devil's Waterhole. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
about 2 hr drive
Inks Lake State Park Camping and Cabins
Burnet, TX
CampingWaterfront campsites and small cabins on a constant-level lake with pink granite shoreline and the …
about 2 hr drive
Longhorn Cavern State Park
Burnet, TX
NatureKid-friendly guided cave tour near Burnet TX - walk a mile through cathedral-sized underground rooms …
about 2 hr drive
Reveille Peak Ranch
Burnet, TX
Rock-ClimbingGranite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full …