Big Walnut Creek Nature Preserve — Attraction in Austin

I'm Rating this solely to add general info regarding nature preserves. They are NOT parks. No nature preserve will have parking nor any easy conventional access into it. In fact, whether or not the general public is supposed to be allowed in there or not is a regulatory gray area. It's meant for wildlife! I'm overall indifferent about this place. Haven't even been over there, however I can't help but feel it's unfair for it have poor reviews for something it isn't meant to be or have to begin with. Gives me a soft cringe that it could so quickly be criticized by people that didn't bother getting a full scope on what it is exactly they're...

This is a nature preserve. Not a recreational park. Some nature preserves in the City of Austin park system are developed and have official trails, signage, parking, etc. and some don't--this one does not.

You can bushwhack through some unofficial, social trails and will probably see some wildlife and good views if you make it down to the creek. There's no real obvious entrance or place to park except along the road. Dogs and bikes are not allowed in...

Unfortunately this was a no go. We tried all four sides by car and on food and there was no real access. There is no parking anywhere so we ended up parking in an apt complex ten minutes up the road and trying to walk down. The water looked nice from the highway but the dogs couldn’t get there to enjoy it. Definitely no hiking paths...