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River Place Nature Trail
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,701 Google reviews · Running trail in Austin, Texas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- 6 mi
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from River Place Nature Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Picturesque, riverfront park offering a popular forested hiking trail, waterfalls & wildlife views.
What runners say about River Place Nature Trail
“It’s well marked, well maintained, and beautifully scenic.”
“And that part of the trail has some trip items (rocks, roots, step up to a small bridge) but in and around beautiful surroundings.”
“The views were wonderful from top to bottom, shade is in abundance on the trail.”
“Is easy to follow the path a lot of steps going up, we passed a small river with a bench to sit.”
This place is a hidden gem I enjoyed the nice breeze and the trees ! ! If you love nature and hiking go! I went around 3:00 pm on a Saturday, thankfully we were not charged. It was first time going here I asked a local where to start, she was very helpful and said there was two entrances.
Out of all the trails we’ve been on in Austin, River Place Nature Trail is the closest to a true “hike”. Friendly warning that there is a $10 fee per person on the trail during “peak hours” which really just means weekends.
Nice and quiet area. Very clean and a great distance for a hike. Street parking is available and you can also park near the parking lot. You may have to pay the fee if ticket takers are present other than free to hike and enjoy the fresh air.
What a beautiful place to hike. Several different trails to explore, you have lots of choices. The day I was there , the weather was wonderful and temps were in the 70's. The trail in some parts has steep climbs but they are good to try out because they are not just straight up.
Trail conditions & character
“And that part of the trail has some trip items (rocks, roots, step up to a small bridge) but in and around beautiful surroundings.”
“Tucked into the Northwest Austin hills, this spot completely busts the myth that Central Texas hiking is just a leisurely stroll through the cedar trees.”
“It’s a 6-mile out-and-back mix of Panther Hollow, Little Fern, and Canyon trails, and it is hands-down the best hike in the Austin area.”
“At the end of the trail we walked along River Place Blvd and then entered the Little Fern Trailhead, which takes you back to Big View Dr and skips the difficult up and downs!”
“If you’re over the flat, packed city walks and want a real, leg-burning workout without driving all the way to West Texas, you need to hit up River Place Nature Trail.”
“The views were wonderful from top to bottom, shade is in abundance on the trail.”
Plan your run at River Place Nature Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- Distance6 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Trail mapOfficial trail map
- Websitefriendsofriverplacetrail.com
Hours
| Monday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 6 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 6 AM–10 PM |
Running trails near Austin
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
River Place Nature Trail Little Fern Trailhead
4.7 ★★★★★ 63 reviews
Park featuring a moderately challenging hiking trail with a 4-mile round-trip distance.
River Place Nature Trail Canyon Trailhead
4.5 ★★★★★ 725 reviews
Park featuring a riverside walking trail with steps, elevation changes & picturesque views.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve
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Natural area focused on protecting animals & promoting environmental education with public trails.
Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt
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Park featuring hiking trails, grottos, and springs, plus a waterfall.
St. Edward's Greenbelt
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80-acre park provides dog-friendly trails & swimming amid lush greenery, small waterfalls & ponds.