Looking to get out of the city for the day? One of my favorite outdoor spots is Pace Bend Park, just outside Austin in Spicewood, Texas.
Pace Bend Park 2805 Pace Bend Rd N, Spicewood, TX 78669
This beautiful park has a little something for everyone. The park has plenty of trails for hiking and mountain biking enthusiasts, as well as traffic-free roads for your more chill cyclist. With 9 miles of shoreline along Lake Travis, boating and swimming are very popular at Pace Bend.
I recently met up with a few friends who were camping at Pace Bend for the weekend. I thought eh, what the hell-- I'll visit for the day. I had such a good time, I left wondering why I don't come here every weekend. It currently costs $5/person to spend the day here. I'm always of fan of cheap fun.
We started with some light cycling. There are about 6 miles of paved roadway through the park, which is great for an easy ride.
By the time I arrived at the park, the Texas heat was already creeping in. But the ride was of course scenic with no traffic—my dream ride.
If you're looking for a bit more adventure, Pace Bend is great for intermediate/advanced, singletrack mountain biking. From what my husband tells me, the trails are pretty rocky and technical.
After we all biked around the park, we cooled off in the lake. It felt so good to stretch my legs in the cool, deep water.
In the hot summer months, the park fills up with groups fast, so I recommend getting here early. However, even though it can get crowded, there's plenty of space along the lake with lots of great spots to hang out.
Maybe I'm getting old, but I DO recommend bringing your own shade. There isn't any coverage out there, so be sure to bring something to block the sun. It gets hot out there.
Pace Bend Park is also a popular destination for boating, with access to two boat ramps. Be sure to check the Pace Bend website for the status of the ramps. If the lake level is too low, then they may be closed. Kayaks and smaller boats can also be launched directly from the shore.
If you're looking to stay longer than a day, this is also one of my favorite places to camp. As with all parks these days, make a reservation ahead of time. Also heads up, bring cash, because they don't take credit cards!
I hope you enjoy your day trip to the park! Say "hi" if you see me out there!
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