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  • San Marcos
  • San Marcos, Texas

    Top Spots in and near San Marcos

    • New Braunfels, Texas

      Hike the Panther Canyon Nature Trail

      1.7 mi / 131 ft gain
      This trail is perfect for the whole family (including dogs)! The trail is shared by walkers and runners. The Panther Canyon Nature Trail is open for use year round, and is a great location for birding. The trail is a bit rocky in spots - so shoes with ankle support are recommended. 
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike Mary Moore Searight Park Trail

      2.1 mi / 65 ft gain
      The outer loop trail at Mary Moore Searight park is 2.1 miles and is interconnected by several smaller trails, which can be used to shorten the length of the hike. The trail is relatively easy with very few inclines and declines. The trail is mostly very thin crushed gravel and great for an easy ...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Stephenson Preserve Loop

      2.17 mi / 243 ft gain
      The Stevenson Preserve Trail is a 1.5 mile loop hike located in South Austin. The outer trail makes a large loop around the entire park, however there are several interconnecting trails within the loop. This trail system is part of the Stephenson Preserve, which is also connected to the Longview ...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Take a Stroll on the Dick Nichols Park Trail

      1.09 mi / 16 ft gain
      The Dick Nichols Park Trail is a 1 mile loop neighborhood park trail located in Southwest Austin. The trail is completely flat and is entirely paved. It circles the park and is equally shaded and exposed. It's very kid-friendly and perfect for walking the dog, biking, trail running, hiking, and e...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike the Western Oaks Trail

      1.74 mi / 49 ft gain
      The Western Oaks Trail is a 1.7 mile trail located in the Legend Oaks neighborhood in Southwest Austin, Texas. The trail is looping however there are several interconnecting trails which can shorten or lengthen the duration of the hike. The trail is mostly flat and made of crushed gravel. It is p...
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    • Austin, Texas

      McKinney Falls

      4.2
      McKinney Falls is separated into the Upper and Lower Falls along Onion Creek just 15 miles outside of Austin. The pin I dropped on the map gets you to the parking lot at the Upper Falls. From there it is a very short walk past the Smith Visitor Center to the falls. The upper falls offers some sha...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike the Homestead Trail

      4.0
      3.1 mi / 157 ft gain
      The Homestead Loop hike is a 3.1 mile loop featuring the Lower Falls of McKinney Falls State Park. The hike is pretty intermediate and is mostly shaded. There are not many inclines. It is both dog- and kid-friendly. The trail does cross small streams, so be weary to bring water shoes/sandals.  Th...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike Onion Creek And Homestead Trail Loop

      5.0
      6.5 mi / 387 ft gain
      The Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop is a 6.5 mile loop hike within McKinney Falls State Park, just outside of Austin city limits. The trail is long however pretty beginner level as there are not many inclines. The trail features two waterfalls: the Upper and Lower falls which are popular swi...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Visit the Cathedral of Junk

      4.7
      The Cathedral of Junk is a hidden gem within the Austin City Limits, actually located in the Artists backyard. Construction was started back in 1988 by Vince Hahnemann and he still continues to add to it to this day! Climb to the top of the tower to rock out on the drum set or maybe even catch a ...
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    • Travis County, Texas

      Hike Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 Trailhead

      3.0
      3.7 mi / 282 ft gain
      The Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 is 3.7 mile out-and-back stretch through the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The trail begins in Zilker Park and follows Barton Creek all the way south to Loop 360. Parking can be found at Zilker Park. Though on weekends and during the summer time, the park is usuall...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Three Falls Hike

      7.35 mi / 600 ft gain
      The Three Falls Hike is a 7.35 mile out and back hike located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin, Texas. The hike is heavily trafficked. The trail takes you past three waterfalls, which during the summer time serve as extremely popular swimming holes. Please note that the flow of the waterf...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls via Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

      3.0
      3.23 mi / 230 ft gain
      This hike is about 3.2 miles in total and is an out-and-back trail found within the Barton Creek Greenbelt stretch. The trail follows along the Barton Creek and is popularly known for the two major waterfalls it entails: Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, which are very popular swimming destinations...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike the Violet Crown Trail: 360 to 290 Trailhead

      1.8 mi / 239 ft gain
      The Violet Crown Trail: 360 Trailhead to 290 trail is a 1.8 mile point-to-point hike that stretches from Loop 360 to Highway 290. Only a portion of the trail follows alongside Barton Creek before heading south towards HWY 290 while the creek veers off to the west. Dogs are more than welcome as lo...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Hike Barton Greenbelt Trail Via Barton Creek Plaza

      6.6 mi / 380 ft gain
      The Barton Greenbelt Trail via Barton Creek Plaza is a 6.6 mile out-and-back hike located within the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This trail follows along the creek and features a couple prominent waterfalls that also serve as popular swimming holes in the summer months. Depending on the rainfall for ...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Rock Climb at Gus Fruh

      0.5 mi / 50 ft gain
      NOTICE:For this activity it is necessary to have someone with lead climbing and belaying expertise. There is a wide range of difficulties on the routes. A guide that has climbed at this wall before is recommended. GETTING THERE:You can enter Gus Fruh from a couple of different points starting in ...
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    • Austin, Texas

      Swim at Gus Fruh

      4.0
      0.26 mi / 79 ft gain
      The trailheads are located in neighborhoods and parking isn't really too much of an issue. The shortest entrance is located off Barton Hills Dr. A quick google search and you will find it and the labeled trail. You walk down into the Barton Creek Green Belt and your spirits are uplifted. That cra...
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