Name: Woodlands Park and Nature Preserve Trail
Rating: 5.0

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Features Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Waterfall

Family Friendly This is perfect for a short hike and day out with the family.

Ironically, there is a 'Connecting with Nature' info board stop on this trail that encourages kids and adults to "feel the texture of the leaves in the park and explore their variation," and that same info board also says "beware of poison ivy in the area!" If you stay on the trail it is not an issue, as the poison ivy is mostly around the more wooded section of the creek away from the trail and picnic areas. Just remember, "leaves of three, don't touch me!"

Description

The Woodlands Park and Nature Preserve is the perfect "easy trail" in a gorgeous setting perfect for the whole family. Its paved/gravel paths wind through a beautiful wooded park along Panther Creek and out to the shore of the Colorado River—not "the" Colorado River... rather the Texas one. Kids will like the rope swing into the creek, playscape for younger ones, benches, bathrooms, drinking fountains, and picnic tables all along the trail, and there is ample parking.

Many people park in the Woodlands Park parking lot and then quickly scoot across the street to do the more well known 'River Place Nature Trail' hike... often completely missing what is probably the most scenic trail segment in the whole area just a few feet from the car.

If you've made the drive out to the River Place area to do the River Place Nature Trail, do yourself a favor and take 10 or 15 minutes to do this quick park trail. If nothing else, it's a great warm up before hitting the bigger hike across the street.

If you want more info on the Woodlands Park and Nature Preserve hours and facilities, click here.