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San Marcos, Texas

Looking for the best chillin in San Marcos? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Marcos. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near San Marcos

  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Mayfield Park Lake Trail

    3.0
    1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Mayfield Nature Preserve is a 21-acre park located just west of downtown Austin, Texas. This nature preserve is unique from all other parks in Austin in that it that features free-roaming peacocks. It's a beautiful park full of beautiful nature and the trail leads down near the lake. The trail is...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Swim and Relax at Common's Ford Ranch

    3.0
    Commons Ford is a lakefront park offering a boathouse that can be reserved, fishing, volleyball net and picnicking. Many people go to the park with the expectation of lounging on the large grassy area for many hours so be sure to pack food, blankets, sunscreen, and tubes if you plan to float in ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Mueller Park Trail

    4.0
    2.6 mi / 78 ft gain
    The Mueller Park Trails total a distance of 5 miles with a 2.6 mile loop hike that takes you by some waterfalls located in Austin, TX. You can wander around Mueller Lake or the pond in Southwest Greenway, where man-made waterfalls can be viewed, or both! In addition to the waterfalls, the Southwe...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Turkey Creek Trail

    2.72 mi / 259 ft gain
    Turkey Creek trail is a 2.7 mile out-and-back hike located within Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin, Texas. This trail is perfect for cycling, running, walking, and general exercise. The trail is made of dirt with few inclines. Please note, however, at the beginning of the trail the...
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  • Spring Branch, Texas

    Kayak at Guadalupe River State Park

    5.0
    4 mi
    Once you enter Guadalupe River State Park, be sure to grab a map of the park as the roads can be a little confusing. Drive toward the Discovery Center Loop where you'll find a large parking lot near the river. Slather on some sunscreen, grab your kayak, and head downhill toward the river!The rive...
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  • Lakeway, Texas

    Hike Hamilton Greenbelt

    5.1 mi / 374 ft gain
    The Hamilton Greenbelt is a 5.1 mile out-and-back neighborhood hike located in Lakeway, just 15 miles outside of downtown Austin. The trail is located in a neighborhood and is extremely well-maintained. At the entrance of the trail you will find a little garden area with a small waterfall and a s...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Photograph Pennybacker Bridge (Austin 360 Bridge)

    4.3
    0.5 mi / 75 ft gain
    If you're looking for excellent views of hill country, the skyline, or just an awesome place to watch the sunset this is the place to be. If you're heading southbound from 183 on 360 just before you reach the bridge there will be a dirt parking lot on your right. There are trailheads on the easts...
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  • Dripping Springs, Texas

    Sport Climbing at Milton Reimer's Ranch

    5.0
    Milton Reimer's Ranch is a limestone sport-climbing crag in Dripping Springs, Texas near Austin, Texas with hundreds of routes. The park is divided into two main sections--Reimer's and North Shore, each with their own parking lot. Approaches are quite easy and well marked. The original Reimer's a...
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  • Dripping Springs, Texas

    Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve

    4.1
    0.46 mi / 26 ft gain
    Hamilton Pool Preserve, about a 45 minute drive from Austin, TX, is one of the most beautiful places to spend a hot, Texas afternoon. A short hike from the parking lot through a wooded forest opens up onto a scenic, natural pool. The small beach to one side is usually dotted with sunbathers and p...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Little Fern Trail

    0.5 mi / 140 ft gain
    The Little Fern Trail is a 1.9 mile out-and-back hike that is a part of the River Place Nature Trail. It is perfect for hiking, walking, running, and biking. The trail is open for use year-round and is easy to follow, with lots of small, side waterfalls and lush greenery scattered along. The tree...
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  • Johnson City, Texas

    Hike Wolf Mountain And Juniper Ridge Trail Loop

    11.2 mi / 472 ft gain
    Wolf Mountain and Juniper Ridge Trail Loop is a 11.2 mile loop hike within Pedernales Falls State Park, right outside of Johnson City, Texas. The trail is pretty wide and great for all sorts of exercising and social distancing. The trail is relatively moderate and well maintained. There is littl...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Valburn South Loop

    1.0
    2.3 mi / 334 ft gain
    The Valburn South Loop is a 2.3 mile loop trail within the Bull Creek Greenbelt in Northwest Austin, Texas. The trail is known for its grand views of the surrounding Hill Country. The trail is shaded for the most part and is pretty rocky, good shoes are highly recommended. The trail is made up of...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Lost Trail

    1.5 mi / 52 ft gain
    Lost Trail is a 1.3 mile loop hike through the Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt in northwest Austin, Texas. The trail features a beautiful waterfall, an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers, several benches, and many beautiful scenes. During the wet season, the creek fills up and flows very nicely. T...
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  • Johnson City, Texas

    Explore Pedernales Falls

    4.8
    0.6 mi / 104 ft gain
    Pedernales Falls drops 50 feet in elevation over 3,000 feet of titled, layered steps of limestone along the Pedernales River in Blanco County. In order to reach the falls you must enter Pedernales Falls State Park and follow the park road until the very end. There you'll find a parking lot and it...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Great Hills Park Trail

    2.31 mi / 127 ft gain
    The Great Hills Park trail is a 2.3 mile point-to-point nature trail found within the Great Hills neighborhood of Northwest Austin. The trail is perfect for cycling, hiking, or just for taking a regular walk. The hike features a multitude of wildlife and is primarily shaded. There are several bat...
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  • Spicewood, Texas

    Camp at Pace Bend Park

    4.4
    Pace Bend is a favorite camping and day use destination near Austin, Texas. The park is approximately 45 minutes West of Austin located off of Hwy 71 and offers visitors a wide range of recreational activities. There is an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle for Day Use only and $15 per vehicle for p...
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