Take an easy and free hike to the Colorado River.
✅ Trails for Children
✅ Swimming
✅ Bathrooms
❌ Playground and Sports Fields
✅ Free Admission for Park and Trails (and free parking)
✅ Stroller-friendly Trails
❌ Reservations or Tickets needed
If you’re looking for a short and easy hike that ends with a jump into the water and lounging in the grass, Commons Ford is the place for you and your family. It’s rarely crowded on weekdays and provides the perfect opportunity to spend the day outside. It’s a great place for boating, paddle-boarding, kayaking, fishing, tree-climbing, and playing volleyball too.
The 215 acres allows for several areas to explore and wander, but this post will focus primarily on the trail that leads to the water and picnic area (“lawn”). We’re excited to share what we love about Commons Ford Ranch located at 614 Commons Ford Ranch Rd on the west side of Austin, TX!
Trail Options for All Levels
As mentioned, there are several hiking trails in this large stretch of park land. The trails closer to the water are flat and child-friendly. There are great opportunities for wildflower scavenger hunts and bird-watching along these trails, including signs that inform you on the species you might encounter. We like to take the forks in the trails to see new sights each time we go, with the ultimate goal of ending up at the water’s edge.
Most or these trails are dirt paths and can be a little rocky. It’s possible to push a stroller or pull a wagon, but there will be some uneven terrain that may require lifting or maneuvering around the dips and obstacles.
There are additional trails that lead uphill away from the water. They offer beautiful views and other opportunities for wildlife-viewing, as well as a more significant work out. These trails are more rigorous and not stroller-friendly.
Easy Parking and Access
Google Maps will take you directly to the park entrance. You can park for free in the parking areas near the trailheads. The location where we often park only has a handful of spots directly off the main park road. Parallel parking is also an option, as well as additional small parking areas as you drive further into the park.
The trailheads are easily accessible from the main road, and bathrooms are available at the back of the picnic/swimming area as well as near the barn. I recommend having the trail map saved on your phone to find restrooms and landmarks as you venture out onto the other trails.
Interesting Sights
This park is also an historic site. The land was originally settled in 1838 by a man named Dick Preece, who later joined the Texas Rangers. He continued to acquire land in the area and began ranching.
Preece moved off the property at the end of the 19th century, during which it became a popular tourist attraction luring Austinites by steam ships daily to visit and take a dip in the “medicinal waters”.
In the early twentieth century, the land became Resaca Ranch, a working cattle ranch that was sold to the city for the purpose of waterfront park land in 1983.
Today, while visiting Commons Ford, you can see some of the buildings that remain from Resaca Ranch, including a barn, a ranch house, and the caretaker’s house.*
Large Grassy Picnic Area
The hike we usually take leads us right to the wide-open picnic area along the water, labeled “lawn” on the park map. It has a low-grade hill, access to more trails, a volleyball net, some shade, a dock, lots of open grassland, and of course, river access. Bring your own picnic blanket, food, balls, and water toys, as well as plenty of drinking water.
Swimming!
One of the spots to access the water is a wooden boat dock. Keep in mind that this main swimming area on the Colorado River is shared with boats and can be subject to wake. Kids need to be strong swimmers and have life jackets or tubes when in the water.
There is another spot for wading and muddy play in the same picnic area. It’s a shallow inlet that gets deeper as you near the main river. This spot is better for weaker swimmers and smaller children, but keep in mind that there will be natural debris and tree branches or roots in the water.
Commons Ford is in a great location. While it’s tucked back behind residential areas, it’s also very close to a gas station and an Italian restaurant, Patrizi’s. Laura’s Library is also nearby, along with all the other restaurants and shopping options along RM- 2244.
We hope you enjoy Commons Ford Ranch as much as we do! Let us know what you think after you visit. For other family hike recommendations in the Texas Hill Country, check out our page, This Week’s Hike.
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*Source: Austintexas.gov
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite thing to do in the Texas Hill Country?