Northwest Austin is home to about 40 parks, from large metropolitan parks to small pocket parks. To help you figure out which parks to visit, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations. Whether you enjoy people-watching or swimming or need place to take the kids or toss a Frisbee, we’ve identified options to help make the most of your visits.





Park amenities


 Barbecue/picnic tables
 Dog off-leash area
 Playscape
 Sports
 Swimming
 Trails



Bull Creek District Park


6701 Lakewood Drive
This popular Austin swimming hole is frequently busy on hot summer days. However, the 48-acre park also includes trails that lead to scenic cliffs, waterfalls, springs and archaeological features, according to the Austin Parks Foundation.

     



Domain Central Park


11100 Alterra Parkway
The 9-acre park offers large grassy areas for lounging or playing catch. On the western end of the park, up the hill, are four sand volleyball courts maintained by Project Serve, a group that offers league and open play for children and adults.

  



Wells Branch Disc Golf Course


14300 Owen-Tech Blvd.
Maintained by the Wells Branch Municipal Utility District, the 18-hole course is beginner-friendly and offers the challenge of a creek and hills. Parking is available along Owen-Tech Boulevard.

 



Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park


12138 N. Lamar Blvd.
The park is home to one of the city’s municipal swimming pools and several sports fields. It also has an extensive, 15-mile network of rocky and rough trails for mountain biking, running or letting your dog run loose.

    



Springwoods Neighborhood Park


9117 Anderson Mill Road
Beneath a canopy of trees, this park has two playscapes: one geared for children ages 2-5 and another for children ages 5-12. Need a place for a birthday party? The park also has a large covered pavilion that may be reserved for a fee.

   



Springwoods Pool


13320 Lyndhurst St.
The pool, located at the Forest North Neighborhood Park, is open from March through September and offers six lanes for lap swimming, recreational swimming or swim lessons as well as a mushroom spray feature and a slide. Entry fees are $1-$3, and residents may also purchase punch cards or season passes. Visit www.austintexas.gov/department/springswood-pool for the full schedule.

  



Quail Creek Park


1101 Mearns Meadow Blvd.
When the temperatures top 100 degrees this summer, the mostly shaded park offers a place to escape the heat under a grove of hackberry trees, according to the APF. The park has a playscape and several benches as well as a quarter-mile trail with numerous fitness stations to stay in shape.

   



St. Edwards Park


7301 Spicewood Springs Road
Tucked along the winding Spicewood Springs Road, the park has a 3.59-mile trail with several scenic overlooks. The trail is usable for hiking, running and walking your dog. Bull Creek runs through the park.





Harper Park


Lake Creek Parkway and Deerbrook Trail
One of the Anderson Mill Limited District parks, the park serves as a community gathering place for the district’s events. The 9.3-acre park includes a plethora of sports options, such as sand volleyball and soccer. A 0.9-mile trail runs through the park, making it a great spot for people-watching.

   



Great Hills Neighborhood Park


10801 Sierra Oaks Drive
The 1.82-mile trail cuts through the wooded Great Hills neighborhood, allowing you to get lost in nature and feel like you left the city. The 85-acre park also has several natural areas to view native plants, birds and other wildlife. The trail has five trailheads and crosses the creek several times. Many volunteers from the neighborhood maintain the park and trails.