Austin, TX

Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Austin

Address: 1600 City Park Rd., Austin, TX 78730 - MAP
Phone: (512) 346-1831
Web: www.ci.austin.tx.us

One of the largest parks in Austin, the Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a 1,150-acre park on the shores of Lake Austin. Oak and juniper trees shade the popular Turkey Creek Trail, which is an off-leash haven for dogs and their owners. Bikers and hikers also enjoy 2.75-mile trail that criss-crosses the creek in its first mile and a half.

Austin's fitting nick name, "A City Within a Park," means that Emma Long Park is a virtual metropolis, bustling with activity during the week and on weekends. A large sandy beach meets the shores of Lake Austin, and includes a designated swimming area, sand volleyball courts and boat ramps for pleasure and ski boats.

Restroom and shower facilities bring the best of civilization to the outdoor oasis. Overnight and RV camping is popular here, with 20 camping sites available with water and electricity hookups. For a back-to-basics experience, 46 tent camping sites with available water create the perfect overnight getaway under the stars.

Another unique feature of Emma Long Park is its motocross track, which hosts plenty of recreational riders along with big local races.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park is named after Austin's first woman to serve on the council of a large city in Texas. When she was elected in 1948, Emma Long reactivated the then-empty Parks and Recreation Board. Emma Long also was an effective advocate for civil rights, proposing some of the first civil rights ordinances in the city of Austin and serving as an advisor to the United Nations.

Other park amenities include: 68 barbeque Pits, 151 picnic tables, 12 miles of trails, 4 volleyball courts, 3 reservable areas, a fishing pier and a basketball court.