Brushy Creek Lake Park

Type: Trail	Rating: (2.88)
Difficulty: (1.28)	Solitude: (1.66)
Length: 1.75 Miles	Elevation Gain: 75 Feet
ADAAccessible: N/A	Interpretive Guide: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes	Bikes Allowed: Yes
Cost: Free	More Information: More Info
City: Cedar Park	County: Williamson

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Topo maps provided by MyTopo.com Larger Map

Getting there: From RR 620, heading north towards Round Rock, turn left on Parmer Lane and head northwest. Turn right on Brushy Creek Road and look for the park entrance on the right.

The Hike: Brushy Creek Lake Park is one of Cedar Park's newest, so new that I happened upon it by accident as I was finishing up a hike along the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. Nestled behind the dam that created Brushy Creek Lake (really a pond), the park is ringed by the trail along all sides and with a few cross trails. The majority of the trails contain surfaces of crushed granite.

The trail winds along Brushy Creek Lake's shoreline.

The more interesting terrain can be found in the small loops on the western side of the park. Here the trail surface is mulch and the vegetation closes in. It's not a rough experience by any means, but these small loops provide the only real possibility of achieving any solitude in the park.

The northern loop also contains an interesting feature that caught me by surprise. Was it a rare geological formation? Crop circles to signal aliens? No, it's a maze constructed in a clearing along the trail. The outline of the maze is made of lines of rock, no more than a few inches high. The entire maze is contained in a circle with an entry and exit point. I didn't have the time to try the maze out though it struck me as a neat addition to the park. Click on the topo map above for a larger view that shows the maze's location.

In total there are about 1.75 miles of trail. It's a fine place for a shorter stroll and one could always continue on to the Brushy Creek Regional Trail for more mileage. You'll want to look elsewhere for a serious hike.

Photos

A view of the lake from one of the "nature" trail loops. Fishing is popular here. (Photo by Austin Explorer)	The nature trails provide just about the only shade and solitude in the park. (Photo by Austin Explorer)	This little surprise awaits those who venture onto the park's lesser used trails. (Photo by Austin Explorer)
Adults, teens, and children alike are immediately drawn to the small, but fun--and FREE--water playscape at Brushy Creek Park. (Photo by xoxolat)	My little girl, Ilona, and her boyfriend, Ted. Screaming & splashing at the "water park." (Photo by xoxolat)

Log Entries

Family park
User: texaskdog - 4/3/2010 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Park itself not too exciting but you can rent kayaks by the hour. We took the extension west past the cap metro track, which has boulder beneath it that were intended for the capitol bldg but never made it there. trail apparently goes all the way to US 183 past the tollroad. Better as a bike trail than a hiking trail.

Neat Features
User: Daniel N - 3/6/2010 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 15 minutes

A Labyrith Trial, Bridges and covered observation stands along with picnic tables, playground, spray park and kayak rentals. This park has a lot to offer just not solitude.

User: Daniel N - 10/17/2009 [View Log Page]
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Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

Interesting maze, too many people
User: epowell - 9/27/2009 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

This was a fun park to explore, but there were a lot of people out. We ended up walking the regional trail for about a mile, after looping around the park.

Very easy partially paved and somewhat scenic
User: Daniel N - 9/15/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A

Brushy Creek is an easy walking trail surrounding what I assume is a very picturesque pond. The rains over the weekend caused waters to rise substaintially so that many of the trails are under water. But even with that the park and trails make a very nice family hike and the spray park and playground are great for the kids. The trails tie into the Brushy Creek Regional Trail.

It's ok.
User: chiricana - 4/25/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: 1 hour

Quick getaway
User: Dickgreenie - 6/13/2008 [View Log Page]
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Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A

Watch out for the little kids at the water park

Ran This on a Monday Morning
User: bspross - 5/12/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

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Solitude:

Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: 20 minutes

This trail is pretty good to run on. It is a loop and I ran it twice trying to get the distance at the end of a 12 mile run. It was early on a Monday so there weren't many people out, but I bet it is extremely crowded especially since there is a water park in the park.

A sweet bonus
User: xoxolat - 5/29/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

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Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
My family is often at this park and I've done this little trail a lot of times already. (I finally did the Regional Trail yesterday, so I thought I would add my two cents for this one.)

This park is truly family-oriented. There is a LOT do to--paddling, picnicing, nature trail, etc.

Of course, my child's favorite is the free water playscape. It's become increasingly crowded since it opened--and word of it has spread to parents all over this area. The weekends are particularly crowded, so we sneak in a few hours during the week around noontime.

The nature trail is a nice walk for everyone, but don't expect much solitude. Just as the park is packed, so is the trail...but nice nevertheless!

Nice walk by the lake
User: spacecitygirl - 1/31/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
I have hiked this trail a few times. I went back last Sunday to check it out again. The trail is fairly level throughout. It starts by the parking area. There are several covered shelters that can be rented or used, first come, first served, for picnics and parties. There is also a kids' splash area, with built-in sprinklers. Next to the kids' area are the restrooms and water fountains. The trail is kind of circular. It leads you from a wooded area, out toward the lake, where there's a canoe launch. It extends down the north side of the lake, and loops back around to the wooded area. The trail is mostly cinder, with a few patches of concrete. On the far west side of the park, there is a more rustic trail, that is made out of wood chips and dirt. There were quite a few people out on Sunday afternoon, and many of them had their dogs with them. This is a popular spot for fishing, kite flying, and bringing dogs.

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