Balcones Loop

This overlook is on RR 1869. Driving from the west, it is 1.3 miles east of the intersection with RR 1174 and RR 1869. Driving from Liberty Hill, it is about 8.5 miles to the west on RR 1869. The deck is on the south side of the road.

The Shin Oak Observation Deck is set in excellent black-capped vireo habitat. With patience and some good binoculars, you might see one of these beautiful little birds. Definitely listen as they can be heard singing almost continually. Shin Oak is the best available public viewing area for vireos in the refuge. Nesting season for the black-capped vireo is from March through July. There are also viewing opportunities for other nesting species such as painted bunting, yellow-breasted chat, field and rufous-crowned sparrows, ladder-backed woodpecker and black-chinned hummingbird.

It includes ADA accessible parking and an observation deck. NO HIKING TRAILS or BATHROOMS AT THIS SITE.

The deck is closed for several weeks in April to minimize disturbance to Black-capped Vireo during critical nest building, and for several days during November and December for management deer hunts.

(512) 339-9432
www.fws.gov/refuge/Balcones_Canyonlands
eBird Hotspot - https://ebird.org/hotspot/L437714

Doeskin Ranch is on FM 1174. Travelling from the south, it is 1.3 miles north of the intersection of FM 1174 and Cow Creek/CR 328. Traveling from the north, it is 2.4 miles south of the intersection of FM 1174 and FM 1869. The parking lot is on the east side of the road.

The Doeskin Ranch Unit has just under five miles of foot trails open year-round. Three trails originate at the trailhead and pass through the various ecosystems and habitats found on the Refuge. 

Pond and Prairie Trail (0.5 miles) leads you through prairie and woodland forest.  Sections of this trail are ADA-accessible. Creek Trail (0.6 mile) follows a beautiful, clear creek and provides comfortable shade in an old oak forest. Rimrock Trail (1.6 miles), the most strenuous refuge trail, is a vigorous hike taking you to the top of the plateau where you will find spectacular panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country.  From the Rimrock Trail you can access the Shin Oak Trail and the Indiangrass Trail.  The Shin Oak Trail (0.5 miles) is an extension of the Rimrock Trail, offering panoramic views of the Hill Country from the top of the plateau. Indiangrass Trail (1.5 miles) offers you solitude in prairie and forest.

During migration, this can be a popular stopover for warblers, vireos, and flycatchers. These trails offer visitors good chances to see and hear nesting golden-cheeked warbler. Fall migration of raptors can also be spectacular along the Rimrock Trail. 

For your comfort and safety, bring drinking water, comfortable footwear and a hat.  No pets are permitted on trails. Foot traffic only. Please remember to stay on trail surfaces because the refuge encompasses endangered species habitat. Vault toilets are located at the Doeskin Ranch Trailhead. Map of the trails.

(512) 339-9432
www.fws.gov/refuge/Balcones_Canyonlands

Follow FM 1174 south to its dead end at FM 1431. Turn left on FM 1431, heading east 4.7 miles to Shaw Dr. Turn right on Shaw Dr. and follow 1.9 miles to the dead end into Turkey Bend.

This 1,138-acre park consists of oak-juniper woodlands, mesquite savannas and riparian brush. Hiking trails offer a chance to see Painted Bunting, Bewick's Wren and Ladder-backed Woodpecker, as well as Common Gray Fox, Ringtail and White-tailed Deer. Look for waterfowl, shorebirds, herons and dragonflies along the shoreline and in the coves. Look for Texas Spotted Whiptail along the roadside and Texas Spiny Lizard camouflaged against tree trunks. Boating, camping and picnicking facilities are available.

(512) 473-3366
https://www.lcra.org/parks/Pages/turkey-bend.aspx

Travel 1.2 miles east on FM1431 from the intersection of FM 1431 and Cow Creek Road.  Refuge HQ entrance is on the left side.  Travel 16.3 miles west on FM 1431 from the intersection of FM 1431 and 183 in Cedar Park. Refuge HQ entrance is the right.

The refuge headquarters office features a visitor information center with maps, brochures, and ADA accessible toilets.

The native plant garden, chimney swift exhibit and photo blind overlooking the Post Oak Creek are paved and ADA accessible. Native plant garden attracts butterflies, black-chinned hummingbird, and other pollinators from March through November. Nesting season residents include barn swallow, white-eyed vireo and scissor-tailed flycatcher.

The Post Oak Creek Trail is a fun, easy to walk is a 0.4-mile-long natural surface loop that follows along Post Oak Creek and provides wonderful opportunities to see migratory birds. Depending on the time of year and time of day, you might also enjoy great views of lazy-swimming turtles or wading birds feeding at a photo blind at the trail head. 
The Pollinator Path is a 0.16-mile natural surface trail that connects to the Post Oak Trail. It provides a fabulous opportunity to view butterflies, bees, wasps, and other pollinators out in the native wildflowers. In the fall, you can find goldfinch feasting on sunflower seeds and red-tailed hawks on the prowl for wood mice.

Check the refuge website for scheduled guided hikes at various locations.

For your comfort and safety, bring drinking water, comfortable footwear and a hat.  No pets are permitted on trails. Foot traffic only.

(512) 339-9432
www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones_canyonlands

Warbler Vista and Sunset Deck trails are located off FM 1431. Traveling from the Austin area, go west on FM1431 from its intersection with 183 for 12.7 miles. The turnoff is on the right/east. Traveling from the north from the intersection of FM 1174 and FM 1431, go south on FM 1174 for 13.4 miles.  The turnoff is on the left/east.

For your comfort and safety, bring drinking water, comfortable footwear and a hat. Vault toilets are located at the parking lot at Cactus Rocks Trailhead. Please remember to stay on trail surfaces because the refuge encompasses endangered species habitat. Foot traffic only. No pets are permitted on trails.

On the south side of the refuge, Warbler Vista offers 5 miles of foot trails and amazing views. Enjoy prime golden-cheeked warbler habitat along five different trails: Cactus Rocks (1.25 miles), Vista Knoll (0.5 miles), and the Ridgeline (1.2 miles). Hike or drive to the Sunset Deck, an ADA accessible deck that offers views of Lake Travis and an opportunity to hear or see golden-cheeked warblers, nesting rom March through July, and other birds. Two new trails opened in summer of 2020. Quarry Canyon Trail (0.6 miles) leads to Boulder Trail (0.4 miles) and Vista Knoll (0.5 miles). The two new trails are rated moderate to difficult.  Maps are available at the parking lot at Cactus Rocks Trailhead which is 1 mile from site entrance.

Map of the trails.

(512) 339-9432
www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones_canyonlands

From the intersection of FM 1431 and US 183, go south on US 183 for 4.1 miles to Loop 620. Turn right on Loop 620 for 7.1 miles to Comanche Trail. Turn right onto Comanche Trail, following 2.9 miles to the park entrance on the left.

Located along the south shore of Lake Travis, the park offers shoreline and lakeside views and a hiking trail through grasslands and gently sloping oak-juniper woodlands. During spring migration, warblers, vireos, tanagers and flycatchers can be seen along the trail. In the summer, Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager, White-eyed Vireo, Black-and-White Warbler, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher and Western Kingbird are common. Red-winged Blackbird and various herons frequent the shoreline. In the winter, look for Bufflehead, Gadwall, American Wigeon, Northern Pintail and Mallard. Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and Spotted and Solitary Sandpipers occur along the rocky shorelines.

https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/bob-wentz

From Loop 620 and US 183, head east on Loop 620 to Parmer Ln. Go north/left on Parmer Ln. to Brushy Creek Rd. Continue on Brushy Creek Rd. 2.4 miles to Creekside Park.

This park along Brushy Creek includes a trail through riparian woodlands. Bordered by limestone edge and rock outcrops, Brushy Creek widens and then drops into a tumbling waterfall. The creek is alive with dragonflies in spring and summer. Widow Skimmer and Swift Setwing are most common, but also look for Eastern Pondhawk, Red and Black Saddlebags and American Rubyspot. Eastern Phoebe, Belted Kingfisher, Blue Grosbeak, Black-and-white Warbler, White-eyed Vireo, Painted Bunting and Summer Tanager occur here in the summer, as do Barred Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl.

(512) 943-1920
https://www.wilco.org/Departments/Parks-Recreation/County-Trails/Brushy-Creek-Regional-Trail

Tejas Camp: Return to US 183 North for 17.7 miles to FM 3405. Turn right onto FM 3405, heading east 1.7 miles to CR 258. Turn right onto CR 258 and go 1.5 miles past the river crossing to the park entrance on the left.

The Good Water Trail at Lake Georgetown is a 26.9 mile trail. Tejas Camp is located at mile marker 11. The trail can be picked up at numerous other locations and parks around Lake Georgetown. Each Park varies on day use areas; some are free and some require a fee. Russell Park (mile marker 17): return to FM 3405 and turn right/east, then go 4.5 miles to CR 262. Take a right, then go 2.1 miles to the park entrance. Jim Hogg Park: take 3405 right/east to 2338 then turn right/east. In 1 mile, turn right onto Jim Hogg Dr. and go 2.3 miles to the park entrance. Cedar Breaks Park, Overlook Park and the Dam area: return to 2338, turn right/east for 2.3 miles to DB Wood Rd. Turn right/south - Cedar Breaks Park (mile marker 0) is located 1.3 miles down on the right.

The trail passes through lush riparian habitats and is densely vegetated with Oak/Ashe Juniper Forest, bottomland hardwoods and prairie grasslands. It also passes through Golden-cheeked Warbler nesting habitat at Cedar Breaks Park and then meanders back towards the river.  Blue Grosbeak, Summer Tanager, White-eyed Vireo, Painted Bunting, Great Horned and Barred Owls, Eastern Screech-Owl and Wood Duck are regular nesters along these riparian woodlands. In the winter, the outlying grassland areas provide habitat for up to 16 species of sparrows.

(512) 930-5253

www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/georgetown

From TX 29 (W University Ave) and I-35, head east on TX 29 15.9 miles, turn right on TX 95 South and go 0.8 mile to FM 1331. Turn left on FM 1331 and go 4.9 miles to the entrance of Taylor Park and the Comanche Bluff Trail.

Granger Lake is surrounded by four parks: Taylor Park, Wilson H. Fox Park, Friendship Park and Willis Creek Park. Each Park varies on admittance for day use areas; all require a day-use fee. By traveling on FM 1331, crossing the dam onto FM 971 and back to TX 95, you may access each of these park entrances.

Spring and fall can produce numerous migrants, and in the winter expect a large number of shorebirds and waterfowl. Look for Hooded Merganser, Canvasback, Ruddy Duck, Bufflehead, Eared, Horned and Pied-billed Grebes, American White Pelican, Neotropic and Double-crested Cormorants, Anhinga, Tricolored Heron and a variety of gulls and terns during the appropriate season. The outlying areas of most of these parks are surrounded by grassland prairies that are home to a large number and diversity of sparrows during winter. The lake is surrounded by agricultural land. Off of TX 95 near Granger Lake, take CR 347 to CR 345 and CR 346. In the winter, the only habitat along these county roads is barren agricultural fields. Mountain Plover has become a regular winter resident in these fields. All four North American species of longspurs have been found here as well. Also look for wintering raptors and Whooping Crane.

(512) 859-2668
www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/granger