Day Trippin' › Texas › From Austin › Best biking spots
Our picks for the best biking spots within 3 hours of Austin: 13 places, 2 under an hour away, 2 between 1 and 2 hours and 9 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 78701.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Park Road 1C (Bastrop to Buescher), 43 min southeast of Austin.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
#1 · State park · 2 hr 46 min north
Walk in real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed near Glen Rose, with about 20 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Heads-up: Tracks are not always visible and trails close when wet, so check the park's trails and tracks update first. The park often fills, so reserve a day pass. Swimming in the river, no lifeguards. Pets on…
Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt, CC BY-SA 3.0
#2 · State park · 52 min west
The Pedernales River tumbles over wide limestone ledges near Johnson City. There are hiking, horse and mountain bike trails, plus a separate swimming and tubing area.
Heads-up: Often fills up, so reserve a day pass. No swimming or wading at the falls themselves. The river can flash flood in minutes, so leave if it rises or turns muddy. Juniper Ridge bike trail is for…
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#3 · Swimming · 1 hr 32 min southwest
Four miles of Guadalupe River frontage north of San Antonio for swimming, tubing, fishing and canoeing. About 13 miles of hike and bike trails wind through the hills.
Heads-up: Reservations recommended. No glass or foam in the river area. All-terrain wheelchair available. Guided Honey Creek tours (no pets).
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#4 · State park · 2 hr 3 min southwest
Over 5,000 acres of canyons and creek bottoms near Bandera, on a former ranch, shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
Heads-up: Reserve day passes. Pets on 6-foot leash, strictly enforced. No park store, bring all supplies. Trails close after weather, check status before going.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#5 · State park · 2 hr 43 min southeast
Lakes and moss-draped forest where alligators are common, with 37 miles of hiking and biking trails and the George Observatory.
Heads-up: Keep well back from alligators. Pets on a 6-ft leash and must not enter the lakes. The paved 0.5-mile Creekfield Lake Nature Trail is accessible; all-terrain chairs available. Observatory open…
Photo: John Bonzo, CC BY 3.0
#6 · State park · 2 hr 44 min east
Pine forest park around 210-acre Lake Raven with a swim area, kayak rentals, 21 miles of hiking and biking trails and access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
Heads-up: Swim area 10 to 8, no lifeguards. Boats at idle speed only. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is hikers only. Often full, so reserve.
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
#7 · State park · 2 hr 49 min north
Wooded park around spring-fed Cedar Lake with swimming, paddling and a technical 6-mile mountain bike loop among nearly 13 miles of trails.
Heads-up: No-wake lake, no jet skis. Self-service kayak rentals at Cedar Lodge (card only). Busy in spring and summer, so reserve. ADA-accessible covered fishing pier. Pets on a 6-ft leash, not in swim areas.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#8 · State park · 2 hr 53 min north
Big park on Joe Pool Lake with a gravel swimming beach, the DORBA mountain bike trail and the historic Penn Farm.
Heads-up: Dirt trails close for weather (all dirt trails were closed in early November 2026), so check trail status. Joe Pool Marina is permanently closed. Park often fills; reserve. Assistive chairs…
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#9 · Bike trail · 43 min southeast
A hilly 12-mile park road through the Lost Pines between Bastrop and Buescher state parks, good for road biking or a slow drive.
Heads-up: Speed limit is 30 mph and you share the road with cars. Hills are steep in places. Start at Bastrop State Park.
Photo: Bry0909, CC BY-SA 4.0
#10 · Bike trail · 2 hr 26 min east
Houston bayou park with trails for walking and biking, the historic Cistern, kayak and bike rentals and the Johnny Steele Dog Park.
Heads-up: Bikes under 10 mph with a helmet; some asphalt sections are walkers only. Part of the Kinder Trail is closed with a detour. Lit areas 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Cistern open Wednesday to Sunday 10 to 6.…
#11 · Bike trail · 1 hr 19 min southwest
A paved river trail that links the Alamo and all four missions along the San Antonio River, about 2.5 miles between each mission.
Heads-up: Out and back, so plan for the ride home. Can close for high water. Bring water and a helmet.
Photo: William L. Farr, CC BY-SA 4.0
#12 · Bike trail · 2 hr 46 min east
Large wooded city park in New Caney with about 20 miles of hiking and biking trails, 13 miles of horse trails and camping.
Heads-up: Closed Tuesdays. Bring your own bike. Reservations through the City of Houston booking system for camping.
#13 · Bike trail · 2 hr 49 min north
A 3.5-mile paved trail through Dallas with a soft-surface path alongside for walkers and runners.
Heads-up: Open 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.; lit before sunrise and after sunset. Bikes keep to 10 mph and call out when passing. Dogs on a short leash. No motor vehicles.
Our top picks are Dinosaur Valley State Park (2 hr 46 min), Pedernales Falls State Park (52 min), Guadalupe River State Park (1 hr 32 min), Hill Country State Natural Area (2 hr 3 min) and Brazos Bend State Park (2 hr 43 min). The page lists 13 places in all.
13: 2 under an hour away, 2 between 1 and 2 hours and 9 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 78701.
Park Road 1C (Bastrop to Buescher), about 43 min southeast of Austin.
3 need no pass or fee, including Katy Trail, Buffalo Bayou Park and Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail. Fees change, so check each place.
13 of the 13 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.