Featured National Recreation Trails

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Every kind of trail activity is represented in the listing of designated NRTs. Besides hiking and bicycling, the system includes water trails, motorized routes, snow tracks, greenways, and equestrian paths. The NRT program showcases the diversity of trails across America, from our cities and suburbs to the deserts, waterways, and high mountains.

San Gabriel River Trails, Georgetown, Texas

Scenic trails that connect with the Corps of Engineers trail at Lake Georgetown.

From the City of Georgetown - Download trail system map (pdf 320 kb)
Designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2006

photo of river and trail

San Gabriel River Trail in Georgetown, Texas

The San Gabriel River Trail is 6.6 miles long and follows the scenic North and South San Gabriel Rivers. The trail is eight feet wide and comprised of mixed surfaces including crushed granite, concrete, and asphalt.

Along the trail you can see natural springs, historic features and animal tracks. The trail connects to United States Corps of Engineers trail at Lake Georgetown, about 26 miles north of Austin, Texas.

Some interesting sites along the trail include star gazing area, bird watching area, the historic Blue Hole Park. Trial users have said that the trail is very beautiful and unique to the area and even better than Town Lake in Austin. The trail system total cost was $3 million with grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife, Lower Colorado River Authority and the Chandler Foundation.

This trail was done in partnership with the United States Corp of Engineers. A long term lease was agreed upon to be able to extend the City of Georgetown trails to connect with the trails at Lake Georgetown. Other partners include Williamson County for a right a way easement. Georgetown Country Club for a land negotiation and the Chandler Foundation for a private land donation and monetary support to build the trail in a safer area.

The trail on the North San Gabriel River crosses four natural springs. There is also an old spring well house that produces a free flowing stream of water under the bridge. On the South San Gabriel River, the trail leads to a historic swimming hole named "Blue Hole". This part of the river never goes dry no matter what kind of drought conditions we have.

photo of lake with shade shelterss

Corps of Engineers viewing area at Lake Georgetown

The San Gabriel River Trail connects with the trail at the United States Corp of Engineers trail at Lake Georgetown. This trail connection provides trail users a way to get from Downtown Georgetown to Lake Georgetown. Combined trail length is eight miles and then there are many nature trails that also connect at Lake Georgetown. In addition the San Gabriel River Trail connects to Pickett Trail which is a rustic trail along the South San Gabriel River.

The hike and bike trail combines three different surface areas along the trail. Crushed granite, concrete and asphalt. The different surface areas were used in order to preserve some of the natural features of the trail. The trail follows closely along the North and the South San Gabriel Rivers providing a very scenic and serene setting.

o In flood prone areas of the trail, concrete was used to reduce maintenance cost. Community Service and Restitution workers are also utilized to pick up litter along the trail. We also use recycled plastic benches along the trail that have minimal upkeep.

The trail is lighted along the dense and more remote areas of the trail, but not lighted in the neighborhoods to be sensitive to their needs. The trail is marked every tenth of a mile with animal tracks in the concrete.

photo of benches and blind

bird viewing area along the San Gabriel River Trail

There are recycled plastic mile marker posts that tell you what distance you are at and what track is displayed. There are different colored mile marker posts for the different legs of the trail. Also along the trail is a star gazing area and a bird watching area.

Mosaic artwork will be featured at each mile with designs made of out tile pieces to depict the cultural and historical aspects of Georgetown.

For more information about Georgetown's trails, please contact City of Georgetown Park and Recreation Department at (512) 930-3595 OR VISIT THEIR WEBSITE AT http://www.georgetownparks.org/.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Georgetown website provides more information about the area.

Download trail system map (pdf 320 kb)

We frequently add NRT information, photos and maps to these pages. Send suggestions and information requests to American Trails. Research additional NRTs in the NRT database. Trail managers can update online trail information in the NRT database. You may also e-mail information on minor changes or to update Featured NRT pages.

Related Pages:

Featured National Recreation Trails

San Gabriel River Trails, Georgetown, Texas