Posted: Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:37 PM - 16,713 Readers

By: Emily Basdell

1. Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Located along Lake Austin, Emma Long is one of Austin’s largest parks. It has boat ramps, swimming areas, Turkey Creek Trail and extensive camping facilities.

2. Pace Bend

Pace Bend Park along Lake Travis offers a variety of activities from boating to horseback riding. Visitors to Pace Bend Park camp along the beach, on a cliff or among the trees.

3. Windy Point Park

Thirty minutes from downtown, Windy Point Park offers clean, primitive camping. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery with picnicking or scuba in the clear waters of Lake Travis.

4. Garner State Park

Along the Frio River in north Uvalde County, Garner
State Park offers camping, dancing, miniature golf, places to eat and more.

5. McKinney Falls State Park

If you are not one for camping in tents, this park in South Austin offers screened shelters with bunk beds, electricity and running water.

6. Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park offers four miles of river frontage for boating, tubing and swimming along a nine-mile stretch of river. Those can also choose to hike, ride horses and bird watch.

7. Bastrop State Park

Bastrop State Park is located 30 miles southeast of Austin. Camp in tents or reserve a cabin and enjoy a swimming pool, golf course, hiking trails, fishing, biking, and a scenic lake.

8. Buescher State Park

After visiting Bastrop State Park, take a scenic road down to Buescher State Park just north of Smithville. Take a hike on over seven miles of trails and enjoy the serene wildlife.

9. Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park, located two hours northwest of Austin, is worth going to visit for its drive-up primitive campsites, and for its falls and cave tours.

10. Inks Lake State Park

Inks Lake provides recreational facilities for camping, backpacking, hiking, and golf. Keep cool in the summer by going swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing.

*  Story Contributed by: Emily Basdell