The newest trail addition to Beavers Bend State Park and already one of the most popular with families. This 1.5-mile loop is rated 4.8 stars for good reason. The highlight is a small waterfall along the Mountain Fork River that kids go crazy for. The trail is well maintained and manageable for younger hikers while still feeling like a genuine woods adventure. If you only have time for one trail during your trip this is the one to pick.
Where Austin families go when they want a proper adventure that feels miles from civilization. The 1.5-mile round-trip hike to Gorman Falls ends at a stunning 70-foot waterfall draped in ferns and mosses that genuinely stuns kids who have never seen anything like it. Spicewood Springs near the campground offers a series of spring-fed pools with some of the clearest and most refreshing swimming in the Hill Country. The park also offers guided cave tours and 35 miles of trails making it one of the most activity-dense state parks in Central Texas for active families.
A beautifully designed park in the heart of Frisco with a flowing brook, stone bridges, and the striking Cattle Drive bronze sculpture display. Kids love watching for turtles in the creek and climbing on the rocks near the water features. The park has open lawns, tree-lined paths, and a small waterfall that all work as natural portrait backdrops. It is one of the most photographed parks in the city for good reason and you will likely see other photographers there on any given evening.
A natural horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Guadalupe River near the charming Hill Country town of Comfort where kids can play in the shallow rapids above the falls and wade in the calm pool below. The spot is accessible from a roadside pull-off and local families have been coming here for generations. There are no facilities so pack what you need but the natural beauty more than makes up for the lack of amenities. The town of Comfort itself has great food and antique shops for a post-swim stop.
A collapsed grotto with a 50-foot waterfall spilling into a jade-green natural pool surrounded by massive limestone overhangs draped in ferns and moss. It is one of the most stunning natural swimming holes in Texas and kids are awestruck the moment they see it. Reservations are mandatory and sell out quickly. The quarter-mile trail from the parking area descends steeply so it is not suitable for very young children or strollers.
A privately owned spring-fed swimming hole that has been welcoming families for decades with natural pools shaded by ancient cypress trees. Kids can splash in the shallow upper pools or swim in the larger lower pool fed by a small waterfall. Primitive tent camping is available on-site so families can extend the visit overnight. The grounds are lush and shaded with a butterfly garden that younger kids enjoy exploring.
The tilted limestone slabs of the Pedernales River falls create a landscape that looks like another planet and kids are mesmerized by the rushing water carving through layered rock. A designated swimming area downstream offers safe wading and splashing when water levels cooperate. Over 10 miles of trails wind through Hill Country terrain and the bird creek trail is excellent for wildlife viewing.
A 227-acre preserve on the western edge of Austin with 2.5 miles of well-maintained trails through juniper and oak woodland. The waterfall at the end of the main trail is a rewarding turnaround point for kids and the preserve runs excellent nature education programs for school-age children. It is one of the quieter hiking spots in Austin and rarely feels crowded.
A charming waterfall tucked into what feels like a hidden woodland right in the middle of the suburbs — kids are genuinely surprised every time they discover it. The shaded Huck Finn Trail winds along the creek with wooden footbridges that little ones love to stop and peer off of. It’s a low-effort outing with plenty of space to run, explore, and spot wildlife along the way.