Return to Turkey Creek Trail

hiked off the beaten path
User: jimmy peace - 3/21/2019  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 2point5stars
Distance: 3.30 Miles Duration: 2 hours

i decided to take a different trail at the top of the hill this afternoon 

At capacity
User: offoxandbear - 5/14/2017  [View Log Page]
Rating: halfstar Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: N/A Duration: N/A

We tried to go here today at 4pm, but they were at capacity and wouldn't let in anyone in for another hour. Something to think about on weekends. We ended up going to RiverPlace again, which is nearby.

User: Jamie - 12/11/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Great water areas and nice elevation for the area

Beautiful Creek, Awesome Ferns; More Dogs than Required
User: plectrudis - 6/13/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

This is one of my very favorite hikes in Austin--the creek is beautiful, the woods smell of cedar (most of the time), there's an awesome wall of ferns, and because the trail's in a narrow little canyon, it's a few degrees cooler than most Austin hikes in the summer.

From a non-dog-owner perspective, the trail's leash-free status can be a drawback--sometimes the first quarter-mile of the trail reeks of dog urine, and I've had a couple of scary run-ins with dogs that really shouldn't be roaming freely around people or other animals.

OTOH, as you get further from the parking lot, things get a lot quieter, and the creek is so very pretty and cool.  The poster who recommended wearing water-friendly shoes was spot on--it's much easier (and more fun) to wade across the creek than to balance on those wobbly stepping stones.  

Be sure to visit in the autumn to see the beautyberries in bloom.

User: maggie.dorman - 2/5/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

As a beginner I found the trail a good mix. Crossing the creek several times was a little bit challenging just because of some slippery or teettering rocks, but the worst result would have been a wet foot as the water was only inches deep at the time I was there.

nice hike and even better dog playground!
User: crocodile235 - 4/28/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

I've been hiking Turkey Creek with my dog for a while now, but this spring has been fantastic.  The frequent rains have made the creek nice and wet, and there are plenty of great doggie swimming holes.  I love that this trail has both a shady, flat section and a rocky section with some hills and open spaces.  Due to the water levels, I wear my Keen water shoes, and splash happily through the creek crossings while watching other people curse when they slip off a log and get their "real" shoes wet.

Turkey Creek doomed?
User: texaskdog - 3/14/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

With the recent rains there was a lot of water to cross.  There are stickers on every sign reminding us to be mindful of the nesting warblers so it probably won't be long until this park is closed too.

fantastic
User: jimmy peace - 2/21/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.70 Miles Duration: N/A

first time ever to hit this trail, fantastic

Lots of people and their dogs on the trail
User: Eveline - 9/27/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 3point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

We walked after a period of light rain so the trail was a little slick in spots.  Because the dogs are off leash and their is water you have to contend with fending off friendly dogs that get you wet also.

Great little hike!
User: mlleallie - 8/9/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

This was a great hike, especially for my dog! It's an off-leash trail with a lot of water, so we both had a wonderful time. Will definitely be visiting this one again!

Great for taking your dog off-leash.
User: maddix - 6/1/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour
Took our new pooch Max and one veteran Jerry to Turkey Creek Trail, our first visit. Along with the two dogs were my two children and one of their friends, my wife and I. It's not a long or challenging trail, but frankly a very nice one that s close by us. Max finally learned not to be scared of the water and now loves getting in creeks. We rounded out our day with some swimming at Emma Long Metropolitan Park ($10 per vehicle) then some grub at Ski Shores - all very dog-friendly places.
Fantastic nature trail for kids and dogs
User: bowlesfamily - 8/20/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4point5stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 42 minutes
We hiked this trail with a 6 year old and a small dog. It was beautiful, cool and we felt lost in nature. We hiked on a Monday afternoon and scarcely ran into a soul. The trail is a bit rough with lots of different elevations and is fairly well marked, although we did manage to get lost around the middle of the trail. Highly recommended.
Favorite Hike in Austin
User: mstacer - 6/24/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 4stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour

This is by far my favorite hike in Austin.  I can legally have my dogs off-leash and it's a great length, takes me just about an hour.  It's hard to visit when the creek starts to dry up.  I don't want my dogs wading in and drinking stagnant water.  But when the water is flowing, I'd be hard pressed to find another hike like this and I'm here at least once per week.  It's a great work out, for both me and the pups.

I highly recommend getting here ridiculously early on the weekends to beat the crowd or going during the week if you can.  I really dislike hiking when there are lots of other people around.  (Not that I don't like people, it's just that hiking is my alone time.) I get there around 6:45am and just see a few other die-hard, friendly folks who are there for the same reason... to get some exercise, be surrounded by the stillness of nature, and spend time with their dogs.

Great dog walk
User: TexasGal - 9/19/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A
My dog, Duchess, and I love this trail. Of course, due to the drought there is no water to be found in the creek right now.
saw a snake chase a frog. the snake's still hungry
User: bigtim1763 - 6/16/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.60 Miles Duration: N/A
User: Riff Raff - 6/6/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.10 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 13 minutes

HCO group, evening hike.

User: karawynne - 7/23/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4point5stars Difficulty: 2point5stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.60 Miles Duration: N/A
this was probably my favorite hike so far. i really enjoyed following and crossing the creek. it was especially nice, because most of the time, i had the whole trail to myself. i was able to stop and relax in the creek with my dog before we finished the trail. overall, it was lovely.
A nice hike through the woods
User: jtkatie - 7/5/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

A nice hike through a mostly-wooded area (although it climbs up to a somewhat exposed meadow).

As we drove in, the sign at the entrance of the park says that it costs $5 per weekday and $8 per weekend or holiday... but, I wasn't able to read what that was for. In any case, there was no money-collection areas at the parking lot. The parking lot for the trail is after the Turkey Creek bridge by about 0.2 miles, not immediately afterwards as we thought.

Be warned if you don't like dogs (my wife does not care for dogs after a traumatic experience with a dog biting her as a child). There are PLENTY of unleashed dogs on this trail.

We counted 30 dogs on our hike today, compared to about 20-25 people. Although not a single one was either dry or leashed, most dogs did not bother us at all (most were too tired or distracted to care about us), but a couple barked playfully at us.

User: DBrown - 3/12/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 3stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

very nice and easy. fun water crossing plus some easy climbs just off the trail. some interesting geologic outcrops as well. Lots of people with their dogs. Fun 1.5 hour hike.

Awesome hike!
User: sbtgal - 2/21/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

I've lived in Austin 15 years and this was my first time here. The creek was flowing and the weather was a perfect 73 degrees and sunny. (Although we're expecting SNOW tomorrow!) I took my 5 year old daughter and one of our dogs with me. The hike was moderate for the 5 year old, but the water crossings kept her very entertained. She did slip and get dunked once, but she thought that was fun! Wear Tevas or some other water shoe. This hike is not stroller friendly so don't try it. There are 13 water crossings total. Be careful before and after crossings as the mud is very slippery.

There were TONS of dogs, most off leash. The majority of them were friendly. We had three instances that could have turned ugly. My dog was on leash and I would suggest you do the same unless your dog is 100% on recalls and non-dog agressive to the extreme. We had two dogs gang up and start posturing. It would have turned into a fight if mine wasn't well socialized/trained. Another took a cheap shot and BIT my dog without warning. Just a snap and release as he was walking by. A third mounted my dog. All three cases were off leash dogs well ahead or behind their owners. Unless your pets are very well socialized and trained, I suggest leaving them at home. If they do listen and play well with others it's a BLAST for your four legged friends. Just keep an eye out for morons. And please pick up poop and PACK IT OUT! Leaving bags trailside is just gross.

My 2nd favorite Austin hike so far
User: texaskdog - 2/17/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Great path, very isolated, but quite a few people for a weekday noon hour.  Easy to do but loved the 17 water crossing and climbing the hill and back down.  Would love to do this again.  2nd only to Walnut Creek for me in Austin hikes.

User: HKB77 - 10/25/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
User: rdiamond - 7/9/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 1 minute
Nice and Shady but creek dry due to drought
User: sandew - 6/7/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes

It was hot, but nice trail with lots of trees and wide trail.  Missed the YL on the way up, but found it on the way back.  You'll miss the little "hill of life" if you stay on the left (crosses the creek at the YL).  There was a trail map on the right at the YL also. 

One thing, they are trying to mark the trail with rocks, but you don't know that until you pass a mess of rocks, so pick up a couple BEFORE you get to the picknic table and sign about marking the trail.

Lots of dogs that were well behaved and they found a pool of water (standing) up the top of the loop.


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