Covert Park at Mount Bonnell

A must see if you're in Austin! I went here with my sister and her dog on a Saturday weekend morning. The view of the Colorado river is truly breathtaking! 😍 There's a short hike on stairs at the entrance of the park. A bit steep, but manageable. There's a lot of areas to sit and just watch the river and listen to the sound of the wind. All in all, it's a 5-star experience. 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

We went to Covert Park at Mount Bonnell in Austin with 4 adults and 2 kids when visiting a friends place and it ended up being a really nice Austin stop—easy to do, but still feels worth it because the views are so good. Just know you do have to climb the stairs to get there. It’s around 100 steps, and the stone steps are a little uneven in places, so we took it slow with the kids and stopped once or twice. It’s not a long hike at all, but you’ll feel it a bit—especially if it’s hot out. At the top, the view is the whole point. We spent a few minutes just taking it in and grabbing photos, and the kids loved looking out over everything. You do need to watch them closely near the edges because it’s rocky and there aren’t barriers everywhere. A couple real tips that helped us: • Wear decent shoes (the steps can be slippery/uneven) • Bring water, especially in warmer weather • Parking can be tight during peak times It’s not really a picnic spot or a place you’ll stay forever—it’s more of a quick climb, enjoy the view, take photos, and head out. But it’s definitely one of those “Austin views” that’s worth doing once.

It’s a nice place in Austin. About 760 ft above the sea level, steps to climb to the top of the mountain. Colorado River flows through. Today is cloudy , otherwise you can have blue sky view. A 15 minutes drive from Austin downtown on a less traffic day. Please visit and enjoy.

You can see great views of Austin and Colorado river from the top. High standards beautiful homes and scenery. Best time to visit early morning for sunrise or at the evening for sunset. Best for hiking !

It has great views of the lake Austin. The trails at the top aren't long (be sure to check the paths both on left and right, and you may also explore some out of the main grid, more challenging to walk) there are some areas to rest, too. Climbing to the top is easy if you took the stairs.

Totally recommended this! As soon as we landed after a long airplane ride from Boston, I insisted that we go experience the outdoors and get a view of the city. There’s a couple steps to get to the viewing region. But when we did, there was a band making a music video on the overlook. It was amazing. It was like having a little private concert and absolutely outstanding way to start our visit in the Austin region.

A friendly spot to enjoy a city view and get some exercise climbing the stairs. Expectacular view of the city

Mount Bonnell Park is a remarkable destination that offers something for everyone. With its well-maintained walking trails, stunning panoramic views of the city, and proximity to nature, it provides an ideal setting for families seeking outdoor recreation. The park is clean, accessible, and thoughtfully preserved making it a top recommendation for anyone looking to enjoy quality time in a scenic and serene environment.

An Austin pioneer business man gave this 54 acres containing Mt Bonnell to the city of Austin in the 1930s. Great pocket of nature where you feel like you're far from civilization, experience the native landscape and have your soul refreshed all in the span of a walk in the park. A must go if you're in the area!

This park is excellent for sunrise and sunset views; simply breathtaking. Take it the panoramic views of Austin, water (Lake Austin & the Colorado River), and of course all of the fancy houses along the water and surrounding area. There are a few steps to climb to get to the top but it's worth it.

Great views, worth the short hike up some stone stairs to see the sunset over the river and fabulous view is the city skyline.

I only saw a tiny slice. Parked nearby and walked up a very short set of steps to a lot point. 1 minute walk. It's not high at all. The view of Lake Austin is elevated because of the drive up the hill. It is a nice view north and south. You see beautiful houses along the lake, and lots of boaters and water skiers.

Beautiful hike up stone steps. Historical signage at bottom and top. To the left is a skyline view of Austin, to the front and right are views along the Colorado river. Took a lunch and ate. Pets are allowed, smoking is not. Little trails off into the woods. Off-street parking.

I think every city has an overlook with the city skyline in the distance and this is it for Austin! The view is amazing and worth the stairs to get there. We went last summer and it was around midday so we didn't stay long because the sun was too much. There isn't much shade up at the overlook but there is plenty of parking before the steep stair climb.

Nice hiking and the beautiful view you can see the whole city under your feet and the river is right there

Covert Park at Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin and makes for some great sunsets. There is plenty of free parking on the street although the streets are a bit narrow especially with oncoming traffic. When you get to the sign that says Covert Park you'll see a flight of stairs. It might look intimidating but it's only 106 steps. Take your time if you need to, it's worth it! When you reach the top grab a spot and wait for the sunset. While we waited we looked at all the nice houses across the Colorado River and checked how much they cost (spoiler: way out of my price range). Overall it's a short walk/hike to beautiful views and panoramas of Austin.

Easy hike up to top. Great views of Austin, Lake Austin, and surrounding area. There are some sweet houses along the lake.

10/25/21 Quality/Quantity - Good workout walking/running up the 106 stairs. Overall a very small park, short easy trail for some quick 20 minute short hikes. Some educational historical information - that I did not bother to read, LOL. Plenty of parking. Atmosphere - Beautiful panoramic views opened from 5 am to 10 pm. Been here since the 1830's Colorado River Lake Austin Hill Country Neighboring homes Downtown; City of Austin One of the highest points in Austin 781 ft. (considered nothing to me as I am an avid skier) Also check out the limestone. More people here today than expected, they kept getting in my camera frame... Service - N/A Price - Free is always good!! The park and parking! Owner Suggestion - N/A

Great hike. Easy to get around. Very wonderful views overlooking the river. A little crowded with some not wearing masks. Hope I don't die. Great place for an easy getaway

The trail is well maintained and offers beautiful views of the lake from the top. It was a nice loop to walk with our pups.there's a nice sitting area at the top along with a garbage can.

I missed the part where one finds Mt Bonnell charming and romantic. It was crowded and overwhelming with people playing loud music on their phones, not even following mask guidelines, there was hardly a view (maybe I'm not tall enough or maybe the shrubs had gotten too tall), and it didn't feel like exercise or a hike either. We left quickly. With a little effort from the city it can be, and maybe it is in more normal times, but in my experience last week it wasn't.

Some stunning nature views from the mountain. Good place to go along trails & hike They have close to 100 stairs to climb so you may want to leave baby strollers at the parking.

This is a must stop location to take in the panoramic view of Austin 360 bridge, lake Austin, and downtown. There is limited free parking. On the weekend, this place is crowded. Try to come during the week or early on weekends. Sunset is busy everyday. Uber and Lyft drop people off all the time. There are 105 steps at main staircase. There is also another entrance at the trail head. It is rocky and uneven, but no stairs. If you are afraid of animals, be warned people bring their pets.

Clean, crisp, and good exercise. There is not a whole lot to say about Covert Park at Mount Bonnell other than it offers green space, stairs, and a gorgeous view. It's definitely adventurous as I remember walking down an area of rocks as well as jumping over a small wall to get a good view. It's a lovely area and you feel in nature. It was cold out when we visited in the month of December, so we bundled up. I would recommend for a short visit.

So the climb to the top wasn't as serve as the previous reviews made it seem. It's not really a hike, more as a short climb to the top. The view from the top is beautiful! Apparently it's the highest point in Austin. You should walk around a little bit and see the view from different angles! There isnt a lot of shade up here so bring plenty of water and sun screen!

Really enjoyed the scene at Mount Bonnell. You have to "hike" up a long flight of stairs, but it's definitely worth it. There's always people here having picnic, taking pictures, playin guitar, relaxing, etc. Definitely a great tourist activity if you come to Austin. Very dog friendly too. Very clean and trash cans available. View is amazing and looks out to the river. Parking is plenty. Awesome place. Would definitely recommend coming if you get the chance!

Cool little park with panoramic views of the city and river. I believe it's about 100 steps to get to the top, but worth it. We enjoyed the views and taking pictures here during our trip. It was extremely crowded so I would recommend going early.

So, Mount Bonnell was my favorite place to visit when I moved to Austin and with pandemic times it's been a bit weird going out. That said, now that it's tampering down on tourist season I'm going out a bit more. If you want to see some of the best views in the city in 107 easy steps, Mount Bonnell is it. It gets busy, people can get loud and it can get packed for sunsets, however if you visit during the week you can catch it golden like I did with minimal crowds. Totally dog friendly but keep in mind that there's sometimes broken glass in the parking lot, so keep an eye out and bring some water; it's Texas; it's hot at the summit. Also for those with elderly or long dogs like me, the trail to the right of the steps 100 yards is a gradual slope that your pups may thank you for later, otherwise you'll be carrying your dog in a backpack like me. Overall, it's one of the more scenic and spacious places in Austin, so clean up, take the 100 or so steps up and enjoy one of the raddest sunrises or sunsets ever. Also picnic tables at the top to enjoy a lunch.

Climb up 106 steps to get to the top and you will be rewarded with an awesome view of some gorgeous homes along the Colorado river. I did see a few picnic tables at the top but they were occupied so I didn't take any pictures. We didn't follow the trail as it was really hot and my granddaughter was getting tuckered out. This is a historical place in Texas history and it is worth a visit at least once.

Theft is allow to roam freely here because Austin has cut their man power. They love to break your car window so come at you own risk

Awesome scenic viewpoints of the Colorado river. Can get crowded at peak times but there are numerous viewpoints. Be sure to walk along the trail and you can avoid the steps in the beginning by going in on the end where it's a gradual incline. Driving through the hills to get here is also a treat.

Great view, easy hike up, not many steps. Accessible for everyone! But I did notice some people having to be more careful going up the stairs, and in hot weather, this is something to be mindful of when bringing family, old and young. Just take it easy and enjoy a quick view. Small viewing area, but it's all about the view!

Covert Park was AMAZING!! Me and my family absolutely loved it and can't wait to go back again. THE VIEW WAS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL. We did vlog while there feel free to go check out our video on YouTube. (It's on our Jacobs Well video) Meme&Me https://youtu.be/NTT-I9VH2Uc

This was really a fun hike and a great workout! The greenery during summer time a couple of years ago was so beautiful. The nature here is so very calming and peaceful. Make sure to wear some strong supportive shoes or boots for the mountainy terrain!

The height of Mount Bonell where I called home for 40 days was lovely:) I could've enjoyed a more extended view though?? Driving up is very cool with some pretty extraordinary homes along the way. There are big flat rocks to sit on often and it makes you feel close to nature & fine tuned senses. Hiking is limited. There is seating along with informative signage , interesting facts and namesakes. I hope there is a grill as I could use one!

The park is not big and it's not a tough climb, but the sunset is hard to compare! Located on an tall hill above the Colorado River, Covert Park offers an unobstructed view toward the west. You can also see the downtown Austin skyline, but really, you should be focusing on the sunset! About only 15-30 minutes away from downtown, Covert Park has plenty of parking at the foot of the hill so getting there is not hard as well, so if you want to see a beautiful Texas Hill Country sunset, this is a good spot!

Love this place! Beautiful sunsets over the river of you can walk up a bit. Pick some snacks and it's a great place to hangout if you love nature. It's a bit dangerous for kids if they are running around, so make sure that you have an eye on your kids.

A friendly warning to be careful when heading out to this site at sunset because I was there a week ago and my rental car was broken into, smashing two windows. Unfortunately, several cars were vandalized at the same time and calling the cops is useless. I highly recommend going earlier, because it is a hot spot for this type of crime. I was visiting Austin for the first time with two children and family members and we felt completely vulnerable because we got no help. Called 911 and was told to call 311 and/or make an online report at website. Just be aware that the shattered glass in the parking site outside this park is everywhere.

Pretty views of the Colorado River await you, but first you have to climb a long set of stairs to get to the main part of the park. It may look intimidating, but pace yourself & it's more doable than you might think. I don't think the park is wheelchair accessible. Once you get to the top, you can also walk and hike around near the peak to get different views of the area.

Mount bonell is a must if you're going to Austin. You have a great view of the city and lake sides from up top. You won't twist an ankle on the climb since there are stairs and handrails. You can also take your kids and/or fur kids if you want to! I saw two engagements today so it's definitely a romantic and picturesque spot if that's what you're looking for. Only downside is that there is a lot of tourists/visitors so maybe go during non-high traffic times

Had a refreshing hike there. Nice view, easy climb, and lovely trails, totally family friendly. A great place to capture the Austin skyline. The problem: could not find a restroom there.

This is a nice little park. A few picnic tables, and a lot of places to view. Its a small park and very busy but nice to spend 30min outdoors.

Just a short couple flight of stairs will have you panting for breath. However, you are able to catch your breath by having a fantastic view! Definitely stop by and snap a pic both a mental and a camera one!

Perfect place to get an overview of Austin and catch a breathtaking sunset. Easy and short hike to the top or stairs in the middle to take you straight up, pavilion and picnic tables around, and lots of beautiful photo ops. Very busy so not as quiet and romantic as hoped. Definitely worth a visit.

Having lived in Austin on and off for the past five years Covert Park at Mount Bonnell has been on my to do list for ages. Finally went last night and was not disappointed. We weren't expecting a great sunset because it was cloudy, but once you get up there, it was amazing. People keep talking about the stairs, there aren't all that many, maybe 30? it took us less than 5 min to walk to the top. We went on a Monday night so it wasn't completely crowded. The view is amazing. The trails are wide enough that you aren't right next to the edge unless you want to be. Not only are the views of the Pennybacker Bridge and Lake Austin gorgeous, but its also amazing to see those stunning Westbank houses from above. I would absolutely bring a snack and plan to sit and enjoy your time here! Another one of Austin's great treasures and another reason why I love this city so much!

Amazing views when you climb to the top. The stairs look a bit intimidating at first, but it's not hard to climb up.

I'm not much of a hiker so this was great for me. They have smaller trails that anyone can walk through. There are some smaller side paths that we did as well. Good for novice "hiker" . Amazing views of the city and river

I don't mind the long stairs going to the top. View is phenomenal! I just didn't like the short trails

Yay! Sunny days are here again. I am in love with this place. I spent my Sunday here with my son, and although it can be a little crowded, it's never to the point of being annoying. Plus, it usually makes for good people watching :) This Sunday, we saw a bride, in full getup, getting her pre-wedding pictures taken, very pretty by the way. Also, a couple of people wandering with drums and Jesus signs. But not pushy in the least, just how I like my religious types. And, of course, the mandatory 50 random couples making out. Mt. Bonnell is fun for families and couples alike, just be prepared for the 100 step staircase up to the top. Just ask my fat little dog, she is Not a fan. But once you reach the top, it is totally worth it for the pretty views of the Colorado river, being the tallest point in Austin. Me and my son like to explore a little bit off of the beaten path, finding our own little ledges to perch on, and picking up litter in the more wooded areas. (Thanks douche-nozzles. You know who are) Thanks again, Covert park, see you soon!! Kisses from me and barks from the chubby puppy

Nice place to overview. That's pretty much it. No nice trail for an hour walk or shades at top of the park.

We bring everyone we know that is visiting from out of State here. They have no idea about the Hill Country in Texas and outside of Austin until we bring em to Mount Bonnell. Bring a lunch, some water to drink after your stairmaster exercise, and then relax and enjoy the views. (Comfy shoes also help).

It's a beautiful place to visit and hike around def a good place to take anyone who is visiting. Great place to watch the sunset and see the Austin skyline

Awesome views! The stairs aren't too crazy but may be an issue for those with limited mobility.

No other place in Austin reminds me how bad I want to hit it rich. Have you seen some of the houses in the area?? If not, go to Mount Bonnell, hike up the stairs, enjoy the view of the river as well as the Austin skyline, and when you're done with all that look at the houses near the river as well as the ones in the hills. You will see some of the nicest residential properties I have ever seen in Austin. Okay okay enough about the houses. This place is definitely a great place to take a significant other or just hang out with friends and family. I saw a lot of families as well as couples enjoying their time up there. The view is breathtaking and peaceful at the same time. It really is a place to come sit down and just lose track of time. I have come here a handful of times and I have to say that there's nothing as refreshing and therapeutic as the view. It is definitely a place to visit even if you're only passing by Austin on the way to San Antonio. Go grab lunch to go, take it here, sit near the ledge and have a good meal. There is nothing like it. Just don't litter.

Great view of the Colorado River and downtown Austin at sunset. There are two ways to go up to the top. The steps on the left or walk up hill on the right. We went up hill and it was very easy to climb.