Outbound Collective logo

Hike Mueller Park Trail

Austin, Texas

4.0/5
based on 1 reviews

Details

Distance

2.6 miles

Elevation Gain

78 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by The Outbound Collective

Spend the day enjoying the trails of Mueller Park in Austin, Texas.

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 Southwest Greenway area has gardens with signs displaying educational information to read if you want to learn about the native wildlife. In the park, most trails are paved, making them both walker and biker friendly. Though some of the outer trails consist of crushed granite, they are mostly flat, which makes them great for beginners and people of all ages. 

As you venture by Mueller Lake, you'll likely see a number of ducks and geese hanging out in the water. Don't be surprised if you see a swarm of ducks or geese begin to form. Sometimes visitors bring bread to feed them, causing a flurry of excitement. In addition to the ducks on the lake, you can spot the remains of an aircraft hanger nearby, reminding visitors of the time the park used to be the Austin Mueller Airport. Now, the structure is often used by film crews.

Overall, the trails in this park are great for walkers, joggers, and runners alike. The park can get crowded, so if you're hoping for a quiet run, you might want to go during off-peak times, especially since the trails can get a bit clogged with walkers on a nice day. The main parking area is located across from the Austin's Children's Museum and there are plenty of access points to the park. The park is family friendly and dog friendly too, if you plan on bringing your furry friend for a walk or to sit for a moment by the lake! Whether riding solo or with family or friends, Mueller Park is worth checking out. 

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin
Running
Hiking
Waterfall

Hike Mueller Park Trail Reviews

I live in the area and take this walk at around 3 days/week. It's quiet enough, the trail is wide in most spots, and there's an impressive amount of nature along the way, given its urban location. The landscaping is very impressive, it's been strategically planned so there's always something pretty (and native to TX) in bloom, whether it's the wildflowers, blossoming cacti, sunflowers, crepe myrtles, redbuds, or other plants. There's little shade coverage on the trail, so on sunnier/hotter days, I recommend dipping into the Mueller neighborhood for a walk along the shaded sidewalks among the well-kept gardens and honeysuckle-covered fences. There are two parts of the park, one has a couple of tiny water falls and few ponds to sit by or fish from (no swimming). In this part, you can find off-trail dirt paths taking you into the wild grasses to cut across the field. There are a few picnic benches to enjoy and large sculptures that dot the trail. The second half of the park/trail is where the farmers' market is held, where you can also find a few spots for a beer, a coffee, an ice cream, or lunch. This is where the larger pond is, along with a few larger mowed fields, great for picnics, outdoor yoga, and casual group play. In all, the trail is lovely for a neighborhood trail, offering a lot to look at and plenty of natural and man-made landmarks to stop and admire. Easy enough for kids, wide enough for dogs, and enough paved portion to bring a stroller.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

University of Texas Walk

Walk Through Austin State Capitol

Hike the Shoal Creek Trail

Watch the Mexican-Free-Tailed Bats Emerge from Congress Street Bridge

Hike along Lady Bird Hike & Bike Trail

Bike through Iconic Graffiti Landmarks in Austin