Georgetown Lake
1 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
Outdoors
Wildlife viewing and birding near Georgetown
Refuges, lakes and wild areas near Georgetown for wildlife viewing and birdwatching.
24places to see wildlife
1 mito the closest
9within 30 miles
Good to know: Early mornings and evenings are best for wildlife; bring binoculars and keep a respectful distance.
Closest picks
Jim Hogg Park
3 mi northwest · US Army Corps of Engineers
Jim Hogg Park sits on the north side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Russell Park
4 mi west · US Army Corps of Engineers
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
Map of all 24 places
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Within 30 miles (9)
Georgetown Lake
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Jim Hogg Park
Jim Hogg Park sits on the north side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Paddling
Russell Park
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Paddling
- Picnicking
Tejas Park
Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin.
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Mountain Biking
- Paddling
- Water Activities
- Wildlife viewing
Taylor
Taylor Campground, on the banks of Granger Lake, is an excellent lakeside destination for families of all ages. The park pleases nature lovers with its hiking trail and water skiers with its easily accessible boat dock.
- Biking
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
This rugged terrain has spared old Ashe juniper and oak woodlands from logging and shelters some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat. The Brazos tributaries to the north cut only shallow canyons.
- Birding
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Photography
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Friendship Park
Friendship Park is located in the gently rolling hills of the Texas Blackland Prairie. In the Spring it offers and exceptional array of wildflowers that blanket the landscape.
- Camping
- Wildlife viewing
Granger Lake
Open to the public March 1981, know as one of the top five crappie/white bass fishing spots in Central Texas.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Horseback riding
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Historical sites include the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is located near the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
30 to 75 miles (9)
Belton Lake
Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Live Oak Ridge
Live Oak Ridge campground is located at Belton Lake close by the dam and the city of Belton.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Hiking
Cedar Ridge (Tx)
Cedar Ridge Park campground is located on the Northern side of Belton Lake. This year-round campground accommodates both tents and RVs and has several sites with screened shelters for those who do not have camping equipment.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water Activities
White Flint Park
White Flint Park is located at Belton Lake, which provides some of the best fishing, camping and boating in Central Texas.
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Kayaking
- Paddling
- Water Access
Winkler Park
Winkler Park is a small, primitive campground on the northern shore of Belton Lake in Central Texas.
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
Canyon Lake
In the early part of the 19th century, the lower Guadalupe River Basin, below the current location of Canyon Lake, had been especially subject to serious flooding. Congress authorized in the 1940's the construction of Canyon Lake Dam.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
Potters Creek Park
Potters Creek Park is situated on the northern shore of Canyon Lake in the rolling hill country of South Central Texas. Cool breezes off the lake create a pleasant environment for relaxing in this scenic area.
- Camping
- Educational Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Swimming
- Wildlife viewing
Waco Lake
The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Nature education
- Picnicking
- Water sports
Somerville Lake
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
75 miles and farther (6)
Whitney Lake
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hotel/Lodge/Resort Privately Owned
- Picnicking
Aquilla Lake
This 3,280-acre lake is located on Aquilla and Hackberry Creeks.
- Boating
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Proctor Lake
Located in historic territory of the Comanche Indians, Proctor Lake offers a wide variety of activities both on and off the water.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Navarro Mills Lake
Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Kayaking
- Picnicking
- Swimming
- Water sports
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken , a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie…
- Biking
- Birding
- Hiking
- Photography
- Picnicking
- Ranger programs
- Wildlife viewing
Bardwell Lake
Bardwell Lake is located in the Blackland Prairie region of southwestern Ellis County. Built in 1965 for flood control by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Lake is located two miles southwest of Ennis off of State Highway 34.
- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Picnicking
- Water sports
- Wildlife viewing
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Georgetown. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
Get outside around Georgetown
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
How to spend a day in Georgetown
The state tourism office suggests a day of coffee, downtown murals, shops around the square, Blue Hole Park and a local winery. A Short shared by Travel Texas.
Watch on YouTube ↗
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
Inside Inner Space Cavern
A short walk through the lit passages of Inner Space Cavern, the show cave beside I-35 in Georgetown. A Short shared by Hubert Campbell Travels.
Watch on YouTube ↗More outdoors near Georgetown
Questions
Where is the closest place for wildlife & birding near Georgetown?
Georgetown Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 1 miles west of Georgetown as the crow flies. Next are Jim Hogg Park (3 mi) and Russell Park (4 mi).
Who manages these places?
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.