Riding Locally
Lots of Choices
Lots of Beautiful Riding
Dripping Springs in a gateway town to the Hill Country of Texas. This makes for varied terrain, often within one park. In most of these parks, there is a water feature— lakes, rivers, creeks, ponds, and natural springs. Some will have views from the top of cliffs and hills, and some trails follow the waterline. They all require the horse is shod in boots or shoes, as virtually none of the footing is sand. Because of the mild winters, we ride year-round.
Pedernales State Park, Henly
Pedernales, a 5,000 acre state park on the banks of the Pedernales River, is located off Hwy 290W between Dripping Springs and Johnson City, in Henly. It is recommended to register online to visit the park during Covid-19, but it has recently opened to higher capacity. Pedernales has about 17 miles of trail, and includes many hills and changes in elevation. There is often water on the trails, and one trough in the middle of the long loop (12 miles total). There is one primitive camping area that can be rented with pens for six horses, and a washrack, covered picnic tables and a porta-potty at the trailhead. Go early, as park closes if too busy. Travel distance: 17 miles.
Reimers Ranch, Dripping Springs
Reimers Ranch, also on the banks of the Pedernales River, but located on Hamilton Pool Road, has about 10 miles of trails, and many picnic tables along the way. Water for horses, picnic tables and a porta-potty are located at the trailhead. Reimers has no horse-camping available. The horse trail is a two-track, multi-use, service road in most areas, but it is mainly used by hikers and equestrians. Reimers also has mountain bike trails, rock-climbing, and walking trails along the river. This park is $12 to enter for truck and trailer with a slight discount if over age 62. Reimers is currently open to a limited number of people. Travel distance: 17 miles.
Canyon Lake, New Braunfels
The Canyon Lake Hancock Trail, day riding only, is located in the town of Canyon Lake. Please pack out all your trash and be courteous. It is a free riding area managed by the Corps of Engineers and maintained by the local riders. It is not staffed, and there are no restrooms, drinking water, or trashcans. This trailhead, known as Hancock Trail, is located at the end of Hancock Road on the lakeshore. There are about 10 miles of mostly flat trails. This trail closes if the parking area is muddy. Ask Carol about this park if it's been raining. The hightlight of this trail is swimming with your horse at the trailhead. Travel distance: 34 miles.
Pace Bend Park, Lakeway
Pace Bend Park, a Travis County park, is located on the shores of Lake Travis. There are several Lake Travis parks, but Pace Bend is the largest and closest to us. This park is about 1,000 acres and features both hill country terrain and lakeside riding. It has RV camping, but no camping facilities for equestrians, but primitive camping is allowed. The park offers about 13 miles of trail, but no washrack or water for horses. The equestrian trailhead here is camping area #11, Mud Cove. This park and the trails are multi-use. This park is $12 to enter with truck and trailer, slight discount over age 62. Contact the park at 512-264-1482 before hauling to make sure trails are open for horses. Travel distance: 36 miles.
Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, South Austin
Onion Creek, at Nuckols Crossing, is a greenbelt area of 555 acres in South Austin. There is no entry fee to ride there, and no park officials. It is also multi-use, and most of it is along the creek and under dense vegetation. The trailhead is an old, abandoned neighborhood purchased by the city yeas ago due to flooding. There are no horse amenities at the trailhead. Onion Creek is currently open. Travel distance: 32 miles.
McKinney Roughs, East of Austin
McKinney Roughs is a mult-use LCRA park on the Colorado River in East Austin, close to the Austin Airport. It is about 1,000 acres and offers varied riding terrain on multiuse trails. Some of it is very steep, some deep sand, and a lot of it is under tree cover. The entrance on Pope Bend Road is small, and may be difficult for large trailers. This park is sometimes closed, so call before you haul. This park is currently open. Travel distance: 46 miles.
Dripping Springs Ranch Park
Dripping Springs Ranch Park, is a show venue owned by the city featuring a large indoor arena with stadium seating, an outdoor arena, stalls and trailer hookups for people participating in events there. The facility can be used for schooling by local residents if paying the $200 annual membership fee. Travel distance: 7 miles.
Riding here
Many guests are enroute to shows or other venues, and it's nice to have a place to get your horse out and ride or lunge. Sometimes guests who are showing at Dripping Springs Ranch Park or riding in a local barrel race stay here to give their horses more space and a quieter environment. Others bring horses to entertain their grandchildren or friends.