Cedar Park / Round Rock
Brushy Creek Regional Trail
A long, friendly corridor linking a chain of parks between Cedar Park and Round Rock. The western stretch is mostly crushed stone, so it is a gentle bridge from road running with easy parking and restrooms nearby.
- Difficulty
- Easiest
- Surface
- Crushed stone in the west, paved in the east
- Shade
- Mixed; creekside trees with open stretches
- Best for
- Your first off-pavement miles in North Austin
Know before you go
- The western part is mostly crushed stone and the eastern part is paved, so you can choose your surface.
- Several Cedar Park parks along Brushy Creek Road, including Twin Lakes Park, Champion Park and Brushy Creek Lake Park, have parking and restrooms. Check the Williamson County trail page for current access points and closures.
- It follows a creek, so low spots can flood after heavy rain. Never cross flooded water.
- Popular with walkers, cyclists, families and dogs. Keep right and announce yourself before you pass.
- Shade is patchy. Carry water from May to October and start early.
Your first run here
Start at one of the Cedar Park parks and run 3 minutes / walk 1 minute for 30 minutes, turning around at the halfway point. Notice how the crushed stone feels compared with pavement.
Why start here
It is the easiest way onto a natural surface in North Austin. The route is clear, there are parks with restrooms and parking along the way, and you can turn back whenever you like. That makes it ideal for a first run-walk outside the pavement world.
A sample 30-minute workout
- Walk 5 minutes to warm up.
- Run 3 minutes easy, walk 1 minute. Repeat 5 times.
- Walk 5 minutes to cool down and stretch.
Where it leads next
The Lake Creek loop in Brushy Creek Lake Park branches off the main trail and gives you smooth dirt right beside the water. Once that feels easy, Walnut Creek and Bull Creek add roots, rocks and turns.
Timing and crowds
Weekend mornings and weekday evenings are busiest. For more space, go early on a weekday. In summer, start at sunrise, because much of the route is exposed.
Etiquette
Keep right, pass on the left with a friendly “on your left,” and do not run three abreast. Slow down near play areas and bridges.
Common mistakes
- Running too fast because the surface is easy. Keep the effort conversational.
- Skipping water on a short run in summer.
- Ignoring closures after storms.
Want a guide the first time? Join a small-group clinic, or follow the 4-week plan.
Conditions change. Check official City of Austin park and trail updates before you go, and never cross flooded water. Trail running carries inherent risk; run within your ability.