Travis County Park facilities are designed and operated with the safety and accessibility of park visitors in mind. Every effort is made to keep the parks open, available and accessible to everyone.
Travis County Park rules are designed to foster cooperation among park users and to allow us to pass the parks along to the next generation in better condition than we found them. Below is a complete listing of the current rules. For more information and assistance, please call the Parks' Main Office at 512-854-PARK.
General
Public Consumption
Public display of the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. Sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in any park. Intoxicated persons will not be allowed in the parks. Visitors who become intoxicated will be removed from the parks. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at youth events.
Glass Containers
No person shall bring into or use glass containers in any area of or within any Travis County Park.
Tobacco Products
Tobacco products are prohibited in all Travis County properties, including parks.
Pets
Pets are welcome at most of our parks and are required to be kept on leash at all times. Pets must be kept under the owner's direct control and secured at all times by a leash not to exceed six feet in length, and shall not be left unattended or constitute a nuisance. Noisy, vicious, or dangerous animals are not permitted, as determined on site by park staff.
Exception: Pets are not allowed in Hamilton Pool Preserve, Pogue Springs Preserve, Wild Basin Preserve, Hippie Hollow Park, Tom Hughes Park, or on the Point at Bob Wentz Park.
Horses are allowed only at Milton Reimers Ranch Park, Pace Bend Park, and Webberville Park only with Coggins papers. Northeast Metropolitan Park Equestrian Areas are for special use groups only. Coggins papers and prior approval is required.
Other pets and animals, such as barnyard animals, exotics, llamas, mules, donkeys, goats and what would be considered a wild animal will not be allowed to be brought into any park.
Weapons, Firearms, and Fireworks
No person, in any county park may, except as permitted by State Law, possess a firearm, discharge a weapon, or ignite fireworks.
Swimming
All swimming is at your own risk. No lifeguards are provided
Exception: Swimming and other water contact are not allowed at Hamilton Pool Preserve when bacteria levels exceed safe standards, and when signs are posted.
Camping
Camping longer than 7 consecutive days is prohibited. Camping at one or more campsites at any Travis County Park for a period longer than 14 days during any 30-consecutive day period is prohibited.
Drones
Travis County Parks allows the use of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (drones) under the following conditions:
The operator has complied with all Federal Aviation Administration policies and rules regarding the use of drones especially recognizing the fact that many Travis County parks are within prohibited airspace near airports, the drone does not interfere with other park visitors' enjoyment of the area, the drone is operated in a safe and discrete manner so as to not pose a safety or security threat.
Drones are not allowed at Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Electric Bicycles
Following the National Park Service Memorandum 19-01 on Electric Bicycles, Travis County Parks is adopting the following guidelines for the use of electric bicycles on designated bicycle park trails.
The Travis County Parks define an electric bicycle or e-bike as “a two or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts that provides propulsion assistance”. This definition is consistent with the definition of “electric bicycle” in the Consumer Product Safety Act. Electric bicycles are divided into a three-class system that limits the maximum assisted speed of an e-bike:
- Class 1 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 2 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
- Class 3 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.
Class 1 and Class 2 electric bicycles are allowed on designated bicycle trails.
Adopted December 2020
Soliciting
No soliciting is allowed. No one may rent or sell any item or service except under an approved concession contract.
Noise Limit
Visitors will not create excessive noise, excessive being a level which disturbs other visitors or adjacent residents. All generators and/or amplified music must be turned off between the hours of 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.
Minors
Adults are responsible for their minor children's actions.
Metal Detectors
Metal detectors are prohibited in all parks.
Resource Protection
Animals
Visitors are prohibited from disturbing, feeding, harming, collecting, or releasing animals in the parks.
Natural Materials
No person shall destroy, disturb, or remove from county parkland any timber, shrubs, other vegetations, rock, sand, gravel, caliche, or other similar substance, material, or geologic feature. Plants may not be brought into the parks. The cutting and/or gathering of firewood is prohibited.
Archaeological, Paleontological and Historic Features
Archaeological, paleontological, and/or historical features of any character located in, on, or under county parkland may not be disturbed.
Property
Visitors are prohibited from carving, painting, or otherwise marking any tree, fence, rock, building, etc. Visitors are prohibited from altering any barrier, fence, traffic control device, or other county property.
Solid Waste
No garbage or other solid waste may be dumped or littered in the parks. Garbage associated with park use must be deposited in containers provided.
Fires
Fires are permitted in camp stoves, grills, or fireplaces. Ground fires are permitted in designated areas only and must be maintained in a safe and controlled manner at all times. Fires may be prohibited during hazardous conditions. During a Travis County Burn Ban, the use of propane stoves or charcoal is permitted. No wood fires are permitted during a burn ban.
Exception: No fires, stoves, or cooking of any kind are permitted in Hamilton Pool Preserve. No ground fires outside of designated fire rings are allowed in any day-use park.
Vehicles
Motorized vehicles are confined to designated roadways and parking areas. Vehicles which are not licensed for street use are prohibited. Only two vehicles are allowed per designated campsite. All vehicles and boat trailers in the improved campsite areas of Pace Bend Park and Arkansas Bend Park must park in designated areas only and are also limited to two vehicles per site.
Boat Launching
All trailered or motorized watercraft must be launched at designated boat ramps or boat launch areas only.
Abandoned Vehicles
Any vehicle, boat, trailer, or other property abandoned in a county park is in violation of state laws and/or county rules and may be removed and stored at the owner's expense.
Violations
Any violation of park rules may result in the confiscation of park permit(s) and removal from the park for a period not less than 48 hours.
Accessibility
Our goal is to make sure the people with disabilities can take full advantage of Travis County parks and park facilities. We will coordinate with individuals and groups to accommodate persons with special needs. Please call the Parks' Main Office at 512-854-PARK if you have any questions about accessibility at any of our parks.
Medical and Law Enforcement Emergencies
For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
Travis County Parks has dedicated Law Enforcement Officers and Emergency Medical Technicians. Travis County Park Police can assist in any law enforcement emergency and are also certified Emergency Medical Technicians.
Our Park Police are dispatched through the 9-1-1 system. So, if it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you need assistance from a park ranger and it’s not an emergency, please call the Sheriff’s non-emergency number at (512) 974-0845 (option 3) and they will contact us.
Zika Virus
For safety tips on how to protect yourself from the Zika virus and other mosquito-borne viruses, read the "Fight the Bite" flyers in English and en Español.
Other resources include austintexas.gov/zika and traviscountytx.gov/health-human-services.
Monofilament Line
Monofilament line (fishing line) is dangerous to many types of wildlife living in and around the water and can also harm swimmers and boaters. Wildlife can become tangled in the line and pose safety concerns. Even when it’s thrown away, monofilament line can still be a danger to animals that live around landfills for the same reasons. Monofilament line takes around 600 years to decompose. Recycling stations have been placed near some popular fishing locations. Please help us maintain a safe environment!
Leave No Trace
Travis County is happy to partner with the "Leave No Trace" Program. It is a center promoting outdoor ethics. Learn more about Leave No Trace and the Traveling Trainers!
