Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell
4.5
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Beautiful park looming almost 800 feet over Austin.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Mount Bonnell
The area
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Restaurants
330 within 3 miles
Attractions
381 within 6 miles
See what travelers are saying
- Jon LTorrance, California28 contributionsAmazing ViewVery easy to drive up and not a long walk. Our tour guide took us there yesterday. The overview of the city and the Austin Lake was amazing. The bonus was lots of butterflies flying around, and very easy to be photographed. They stay on flowers and even rocks for a long time!Visited April 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten April 11, 2024
- Sam PLittle Rock, Arkansas210 contributionsPretty view - hike up stairsThe drive there was pretty - lots of nice houses. Once there and parked you walk up a long set of stairs. The view was pretty - especially overlooking the water. There was hiking trails and tables to sit down at. Nice, short stop.Visited May 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten May 26, 2024
- Stan LOdessa, Texas27 contributionsAmazing viewsMt. Bonnell is a great spot in Austin with amazing views of the city and the Colorado River. The short hike to the top is easy for most people, and the scenery is worth it. It's perfect for a walk, or just enjoying nature. When you get to the top, go left first to see the city view and then go right for a better view of the Colorado River. Highly recommended for anyone visiting Austin.Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,657 reviews
Excellent
938
Very good
510
Average
162
Poor
20
Terrible
27
conshome4
Alpharetta, GA36 contributions
Dec 2019
Best time to see in during dusk and in dark. Austin skyline is impressive and serene. The houses on the lake and in the route are beautiful. Drive slow during ascend so that you can appreciate these houses. Parking is sufficient. Try to walk on the trail from the main entrance from the stairs and return from the south side. This way you will be able to get 360 degree view of the city and exquisite communities on the banks of the lake.
Written January 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dtraveler9544
Keizer89 contributions
Feb 2020
We went near sunset. Parking was a challenge and walking up 102 steps could be a challenge for young kids and some seniors. The view at the top is awesome and especially at sunset. If you stay to watch the city light up, be sure to have a flashlight or your phone to light the way back down.
Written February 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SawyerHicks
Baltimore, MD103 contributions
Mar 2020
I ran here from the Grove area, which is about 2 miles. As many reviews note, there is a big staircase to the top, but at the end of the parking area, there is also access via a more gradual incline. There are great views of the river, but the area is fairly small and was somewhat crowded (this was around 11 am on Saturday). There are a couple of picnic tables and spots to sit down. It was worthwhile, but I wouldn't plan on spending more than 30-45 minutes here.
Written March 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cincykeller
Cincinnati, OH469 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
A short climb up about 100 stairs and you will come upon a beautiful view of Lake Austin and the Austin skyline. There isn’t anything to do up there but look around.
I did see a lot of broken glass in the parking lot. Car windows and beer bottles. Be sure not to leave anything in your car.
I did see a lot of broken glass in the parking lot. Car windows and beer bottles. Be sure not to leave anything in your car.
Written April 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelLover
38 contributions
Apr 2021
We loved walking to the top and seeing the view of Austin and the lake. Gorgeous!! I am already envisioning taking graduation pictures of my son up here in 2 years. Standing on the concrete picnic table (to the left when you get up there) with the city and campus view in the background will be priceless!!
Written April 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jero52691
Thibodaux, Louisiana65 contributions
Apr 2021
Just a short hike up a couple of stories of steps and you will have a great view of the lake and the mansions along it. There is parking along the street. The hike is not long but has uneven rock surfaces and a steep drop off. Be careful with kids getting too close to the edge.
Written April 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CharlieinTexas
Austin, TX5,202 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Go early or mid-day during the week. If you can avoid all the people, for example on weekends or at sunset, this place is fairly quiet, serene really, with an amazing view of the water below, countryside, and bridge.
Dropped in fir a quick visit ... always a treat ...
Dropped in fir a quick visit ... always a treat ...
Written December 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OnTheRhoadesAgain
Jonesboro, AR147 contributions
Oct 2019 • Couples
It only took us about 10 min to climb all the stairs to the top. The views from the top are beautiful! It’s the highest point around Austin, and you can see the city center from the mountain. We had extra time to kill when we came, but it’s not something I’d mark as a must do in Austin.
Written June 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kizane
Austin3 contributions
Dec 2019
I go twice a week strictly to run the stairs. I run sets of 9, 12 , 15 or 18. Up to the top of Mt. Bonnell and down being one set. Sometimes I will leap up as fast as I can, other times, jog up. Mix it up and find your own limits. You will be exhausted and defeated but after several months you will laugh at that mountain and own it! You will have the best cardio of your life. I mark my sets with a random rock on the stairs at the bottom because you will lose count. It's difficult. Go when its not crowded. Remember 'feel the burn' good, 'hear the burn' bad!
Written January 4, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tonimI9810ZQ
Plano, TX32 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Killer spot! It’s very easy to get to this place and it gives you an amazing view of Colorado River and mansions alongside water. It’s an easy walk up the stairs even for kids and you should reach the top in max 10 minutes. Thankfully it was a beautiful September day and wasn’t outrageously hot, but I would recommend to bring a bottle of water or jug. There are also some spots without much safety so be cautious and very careful along those sharp cliffs. You can even walk along which declines down all the way to the parking spot. There are convenient parking spaces along the road. If you like views from up top and don’t want to hike long trails, THIS IS THE PLACE FOR YOU!
Written September 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, can I bring a blanket for a picnic for 2 on the ground or is there not enough room?
Written October 7, 2020
The ground is pretty rocky but you could probably find a place to spread a blanket for a couple people. We saw at least two picnic tables.
Written October 8, 2020
As in how long? If so less than 10 min. It’s all steps!
Written August 4, 2020
Is it best to go for sunrise or sunset?
Written March 1, 2020
It overlooks water that runs East/west so either would work.
I would think sunset would be better because of the colors.
Written March 11, 2020
Mostly weekends and other holidays when the weather is good..I love to go there for sunset watch..
Written April 10, 2019
No fee. Just park and walk up the steps!
Written October 21, 2018
Yes, on leash and picking up any remains. Standard dog owner considerations.
Written August 13, 2018
How far is this hike and how long does it take? Suitable for a 1 year old and a expecting mother?
Written June 28, 2018
It is not long at all, the hard part is the stairs but u can avoid that by going through the farther entrance . If u decide to take the stairs it might be like 5 to 8 min up.
Written June 29, 2018
How far is this hike and how long does it take? Suitable for a 1 year old and a expecting mother?
Written June 28, 2018
I recommend a flat sidewalk around a park instead; but if you specifically want to make the climb for the views, I would recommend taking a friend to assist you.
Written June 30, 2018
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