This Natural Wonders Road Trip Will Show You Austin Like You’ve Never Seen It Before
By Elisa Regulski|Updated on February 06, 2023(Originally published January 31, 2023)
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Elisa Regulski
Author
Elisa is a passionate travel writer with over five years of experience. After graduating with a B.F.A in acting from Oklahoma City University, Elisa earned a M.A in mass communication From Texas State University. When she's not writing about all of the amazing places throughout the U.S., she can be heard singing with her band.
Gas up the tank and get ready to hit the road! This all-day road trip across Austin will take you through the most scenic wonders the Capital City has to offer. From sunset to sundown, you’ll get your fill of majestic natural beauty. You’ll see the city like you’ve never seen it before on this, one of the best road trips in Austin, Texas!
We’ve got your map and route planned out, so all you need to do is grab your swimsuit and camera!
There's no better way to begin your natural wonders in Austin road trip than with the splendor of Mount Bonnell. Gape at the city skyline from 785 feet above sea level. With a cup of coffee in hand, the Austin sunrise will kickstart your morning.
After resting your legs from Mount Bonnell's massive staircase, take a 2.5 mile hike around the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Here, you'll encounter wildlife, babbling creeks, and scenic overlooks. St. Edwards University helps run this nature wonderland, and they often lead guided hikes and tours.
You can't embark on an Austin nature road trip without visiting the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The most convenient entrance is tucked away on the MoPac service road at 3918 S. Mopac Expy, but you can access these stunning views from any greenbelt entrance point. Bring a swimsuit and wade in the refreshing water! You'll love relaxing by the water amongst the lush greenery.
Still looking for places to visit in Austin? Well, now that you have your swimsuit on, dart on over to the Barton Springs Pool. This natural, spring-fed pool stays a crisp 68 degrees year round, so even if the summer heat summons beads of sweat, this pool will cool you down.
It's almost hard to believe that all of this beauty exists in a metropolitan city, but believe this: the journey gets even better. At McKinney Falls State Park, you can hike, bike, geocache, picnic, and go bouldering. Onion Creek flows over rocks and boulders and the verdant trees glisten in the sunshine. If you wanted to end your road trip here, you could camp at one of their 81 campsites and stare at the stars.
And perhaps one of the best natural wonders in Texas by far just might be the Austin Bats at the Ann Richards Bridge. Swing back toward Central Austin for one of the most spectacular sights in the city. The flight of 1.5 million Mexican Free-tailed bats never ceases to draw a crowd. From April to October, these little creatures fly out from under the bridge every night at sunset. The best place to view their majesty is beneath the bridge on a kayak or boat. Get your camera ready, because this is a sight to behold!
Have you ever been to any of these places? If so, which were your favorites? We’d love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
Looking for more Austin excursions? Embark on this epic restaurant road trip for an insane culinary adventure.
Still hungry? Check out this mouthwatering video of the 20 best restaurants in Austin:
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