Brushy Creek Regional Trail

Type: Trail	Rating: (3.78)
Difficulty: (1.41)	Solitude: (1.78)
Length: 5.25 Miles	Elevation Gain: 150 Feet
ADAAccessible: N/A	Interpretive Guide: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes	Bikes Allowed: Yes
Cost: Free
City:	County: Williamson

Take Action

Topo maps provided by MyTopo.com Larger Map

Getting there: From IH-35 in Round Rock, head west on RR 620. Turn right onto Great Oaks Drive. At the intersection of Great Oaks and Brushy Creek Road park in the spaces available in the southwest corner.

The Hike: The Brushy Creek Regional Trail is more than just Williamson County's answer to Austin's Town Lake hike and bike trail. While currently a mere 2.5 miles on way, the trail as it exists today is only a small portion of a grand plan to create a connected trail system that will create a web of mobility and recreation from one end of Round Rock to the other, and eventually extent to the boundaries of Williamson County. The official City of Round Rock long range plan is available online.

Several kiosks and signs along the trail provide an historical overview of early settlers to the area.

The trail has multiple trailheads along its length, typically, just off of Brushy Creek Road. On the topo map the waypoint "Trailhead" marks the most common starting point on the trail, just before Great Oaks crosses Brushy Creek. Click on the topo map above for the larger map that shows the actual regional trail in a red track and trails in adjacent parks are shown in blue tracks.

The trail parallels Brushy Creek and the road that bears its name for most of its length.

The trail surface is crushed granite with the exception of a few spots of pavement here and there. With the exception of the switchback to get to the top of Brushy Creek Lake Dam near the trail's end, the path is almost perfectly flat and level. It parallels South Brushy Creek from start to finish and mostly parallels Brushy Creek Road. The cars driving by on the road cut solitude to almost nil along most of the trail, but one can find a quiet spot or two, particularly on the western half of the trail when it separates from the road.

The crushed granite path crosses streams a couple of times over bridges, such as this one.

At several spots along the trail interpretive markers have been placed to add and additional dimension to the trail. Stories of early settlers and prominent families provide some insight into what the area was like before it became suburbia. The trail even passes right by a small family cemetery, marked on the map by the waypoint "Cemetery". The Champion family laid their dead to rest here between 1862 and 1909.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail is a fine place for walking, running and biking. Though it doesn't provide a more serious hiking experience, the promise of an artery of trails spreading like a web throughout the area is an exciting and I, for one, can't wait to see it grow.

Photos

The western half of the trail is a bit more "rough", which in this case indicates a rock face and more tree cover. (Photo by Austin Explorer)	The last section of the trail spans the dam that creates Brushy Creek Lake. From there a small, separate trail system loops through a park. (Photo by Austin Explorer)	(Photo by Eveline)
(Photo by xoxolat)	Near Twin Lakes (Photo by jojodow)	about 1.5 miles from Twin Lakes, The old railroad track has a historical marker (Photo by jojodow)
Brushy Creek (Photo by jojodow)

Log Entries

great paved walk
User: sandew - 4/3/2010 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes

new "BCRT" cement markers were put out today starting from Twin Lakes park to the Brushy Creek lake, marking only 2.75 miles (they are in 1/4 of miles, slly should have been no less than 1/2 mile). I don't know where the 5 miles or 4 miles as the cedar park website comes from, round trip, it's 6. If you go east past the dam, it's in Round Rock and then called Lake Creek Trail, I belive as we were walking to the dam and saw a cement marker "24", as the trail goes all along Hairy Man Road (Brushy Creek Road or 174).

Lots of Bluebonnets in the sunny parts of the trail, bridges and nice waterfall near the Twin Lakes park. Quite a bit of walkers/runners and bikes today, not too many dogs (which have to be on leashes). Will take my camera next time!

Okay for bikes and families, kind of dull for hikers
User: texaskdog - 3/6/2010 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.75 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes

We walked from Great Oaks to the Dam. It was okay but so close to the road. It does head further east and to a big park west of the dam. I'd love to come back with my bike, and this would be great for runners and families. I didn't enjoy it much for a hike.

Brushy Creek Regional Trail is a peaceful place
User: lloydhb - 8/30/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: N/A

www.youtube.com/watch

User: chiricana - 4/25/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours

Better for bikes

User: henryfamily - 4/25/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 3 hours

User: jojodow - 3/19/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Nice walk
User: karlye72 - 8/23/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.25 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Walked this trail this morning from 10:15-11:45. My dog and I walked from Creekside trail head to the middle of the dam. It was a pleasant walk with nice shade and nice people. They provide poop bags but not so many garbage cans. There are a lot of emergency call boxes if something should happen. There were quite a few bikers but were good about calling out their position. Bring your own water and wear sunscreen. There is shade but for long streaches you'll be exposed to direct sun. Parts of the trail run parralles to CR 174 so you'll not feel very secluded but the scenery will compensate for the traffic noise. I look forward to walking my dog there again soon!

Jogged It
User: bspross - 5/12/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 12.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 45 minutes

This was a pretty good run. This trail would be awesome if it continued (which the rumor is it will some day). There are water stops which works well for those hot days. We ran it on a Monday morning so the solitude was pretty good; however, my guess is that weekends are very busy, especially at the parks throughout.

Crowded but pleasant.
User: xoxolat - 5/29/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.25 Miles Duration: N/A
Brushy Creek Park's popularity has boomed over the past few years, especially since they opened the free waterscape during the summer. (We go here often--especially when it's boiling hot outside!)

There are a LOT of families here, so expect a variety of people on the trail--from individuals, to couples, to dogs, to groups of teens. And they are all doing something different--walking, jogging, practicing sprints, biking, or just sauntering along.

It was very pleasant, but I felt that most people on the trail were a little too serious. (Dare I say...borderline snobby?) That sounds like an odd thing to say, but everyone is usually very friendly and talkative on the hiking trails and the people here would barely crack a smile.

Regardless, the trail was very easy, well maintained, and quite pleasant. Brushy creek is fascinating with its quiet, rushing water.

Nice, easy walk in the suburbs
User: spacecitygirl - 1/21/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.25 Miles Duration: N/A
I discovered this trail over a year ago and I really enjoy this hike because the trail is well paved, with crushed granite. The first part of the hike, is through a park area, with a pool, tennis courts, playground, and open fields for baseball and soccer. As you go further down the trail, you walk along the path of Brushy creek. There is a lot of shade along the creek, to keep you cool on a hot day. I enjoy this trail especially after a light rain, when you can hear the creek rushing. There is a small cemetary toward the middle of the trail, with a plaque, and grave markers. The trail is very busy on weekends, and during the evening. A lot of families, mountain bikers, and joggers use the trail. Early in the morning, around sunrise, and late in the evening, as the trail clears out, I have spotted deer coming out of the wooded areas to drink from the creek. The trail is pretty easy, with only a few hills and inclines, until you reach the dam that creates Brushy Creek Lake Park. Anyone can easily walk this trail, but I have seen young children get tired, and their parents have to carry them. There are restrooms and water fountains at the trailhead, but no other water along the way, so you might want to carry your own. If you go through this park, and over the dam to Brushy Creek Lake Park, they have restrooms and water there too.

Only showing last 10 log entries. View All Log Entries

Recommended Item

Hill Country (Hill Country (Lone Star Guides))
by Richard Zelade
List Price: $17.95 Our price: $10.58

This book features ten tours to Central Texas that capture the essence of its flavor and charm. Take a ride on the Fredericksburg & Northern Railroad, follow the historic Mormon trails from Travis Peak Community to Medina Lake, visit Enchanted Rock, explore the Balcones Fault, and much much more.