Between Austin And Waco Is Texas' Former Plantation That's Now A Scenic Nature Park For Fishing And Hiking

Austin and Waco are two gateways to the Texas Hill Country, a storied region boasting four seasons of outdoor fun and historic charm. On the edge of the beautiful geographic heart of the Lone Star State, you'll find one of the area's hidden gems, Berry Springs Park and Preserve. It's a quiet, peaceful spot to spend a day relaxing with your entire family outdoors, whether you're looking to hike around a few miles of trails, catch a few fish, have a picnic, or just ponder the region's history and tall tales under shady pecan trees.

Berry Springs Park began as a farm owned by John Berry, one of the first settlers in Williamson County, in 1846. Over a few decades, Berry's farm grew into a plantation alongside a community called Berry's Creek and had a blacksmith, gun shop, and a pecan grove. Berry's old farmhouse still stands on the property. In addition to being a museum to the past, the park today has many amenities found in other parks for a family day out, including nine walking trails, fish ponds, and playgrounds. What would a true Texas farm be without a few animals? The park is also home to a couple of burros, Lil' Bob and Pedro. 

The park's scenic beauty doesn't only come from the shady trees. It is nestled around two springs that feed the park's fish pond. The park also has a large wildflower meadow that bursts into life during the spring, along with flower beds and greenery that are maintained throughout the year by teams of local volunteers.

If you're planning a day outside at Berry Springs, be sure to bring your walking shoes and fishing rod. The park's network of looping trails leads throughout the 300-acre park beneath very gentle, shady walkways and dirt paths. For a quick walk, you can take a trip around the Pecan Grove Loop Trail. However, it's recommended to lace up your shoes for a longer trek along the 2-mile-long Muy Grande Loop, or the scenic Susan Blackledge Nature Trail, where you'll pass wildflowers in season and follow Berry Creek. Be sure to bring a bottle of water and a snack for yourself; however, the park requests that visitors don't bring any treats for the donkeys.

Texas is renowned for lakes graced with smooth waters and excellent fishing. Here, you can fish for bass and sunfish from the bank at Berry Springs. In the past, the park's pond has been stocked with adult fish, and officially, visitors are not allowed to keep any trophies, other than photos. All anglers will need to follow the Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations when tossing a line in the water, and those aged 18 and up will need a fishing license.

Berry Springs is easy to reach off of Interstate 35, less than an hour from downtown Austin, and just over an hour from Waco. If you'd rather not drive back in the same day, the park has over two dozen tent campsites with restrooms and water nearby. RV campers can stay nearby in the separate Berry Springs RV Park. Or, spend the night in sweet and low-key Georgetown, just a stone's throw from the park.