West Austin, near Lake Austin
Emma Long Metropolitan Park (Turkey Creek Trail)
A creekside trail in a park along Lake Austin. It feels remote for being close to the city, with trees, limestone and a quieter atmosphere. A good place to practice steady, relaxed trail running once you have some experience.
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Surface
- Natural surface with rocks and roots
- Shade
- Good tree cover in the creek valley
- Best for
- A woodsy, quieter trail with a wilder feel
Know before you go
- The park is a City of Austin park with gate hours and possible fees or capacity limits, especially in summer. Check the official page.
- The trail is natural surface and can be rocky and uneven in places. Walk the technical sections.
- Creeks rise after rain. Do not cross fast or high water, and check for closures.
- There is little drinking water on the trail. Carry your own.
- Watch for snakes, ticks and poison ivy in warm months.
Your first run here
Try a short out-and-back of 20 to 25 minutes each way at a run-walk pace, and focus on relaxed, quick steps. Turn around early if the heat builds.
What to expect
A quieter, more natural trail than the busiest greenbelts. This is a good place to practice running by feel, looking ahead and staying relaxed on uneven ground.
A sample 40-minute workout
- Walk 5 minutes to warm up.
- Run 2 minutes easy, walk 1 minute, repeating for 15 to 20 minutes and walking rocky sections.
- Return at an easy effort.
- Walk 5 minutes and stretch.
Before you go
- Check the park’s official page for hours, fees, capacity, alerts and closures.
- Tell someone your plan and expected return time.
- Download an offline map, since cell coverage can be spotty in the valley.
- Bring water, a phone, ID and sun protection.
Etiquette
Stay on trails, keep dogs leashed, yield to uphill runners and hikers, and leave the park as you found it.
Common mistakes
- Not carrying enough water.
- Assuming it will be cool because it is shady.
- Going alone without telling anyone.
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.