Discovering Austin’s Hidden Gem: Secret Beach

Secret Beach in Austin Texas is the right place to go if you are looking for a day in nature with your kids or for a campfire at night with your friends.

The place is not a secret anymore for many locals and tourists, and this beach has become a magnet for nature lovers and families with kids.

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Location

Secret Beach Austin Tx is located along the Colorado River right inside the Roy G. Guerrero Park in the southeastern part of Austin.

This sandy beach is not very easy to reach and finding it is part of the excitement of discovering this fantastic place.

From the place where you park your car, you need to walk for about 15-20 minutes to discover this hidden place.

A dirt path goes from the parking lot to the beach, passing through some bushes along the way.

For me, personally, the walk to the beach reminds me of my childhood when together with my parents went treasure hunting.

Because there are not a lot of signs in the area, let me tell you how exactly you reach Austin Secret beach, a nice spot from Texas State.

A trail from the parking lot leads to this hidden place after just a 20-minute walk.

The most difficult part of the walking trail is the sandy part, where you can easily lose your footing, and if you come with a small baby or large picnic basket, you might have little trouble.

Getting to Secret Beach

This hidden place is not very easy to reach, but I can tell you for sure that the effort to get here will the rewarded with amazing views and a beautiful oasis in the middle of nature.

The beach does not have its own parking place, but you can leave your car near Montopolis Youth Sports Complex.

From there, you have to cross the street and follow a hiking trail for about 10 or 15 minutes, and then you will find the signs with the park rules and regulations.

Leave the sign behind, then turn right and start the descent to the water.

Be careful, as the descent is quite steep and for comfort and safety, wear comfy shoes, not flip flops.

At the bottom of the hill you will find the beach, a serene place with amazing views and fresh air.

Driving time

I will show you below how far Secret Beach is from the most important cities of Texas.

You have:

• 20 minutes from Austin, Tx
• 2 hours and 30 minutes from Houston, Tx
• 1 hour and 30 minutes from San Antonio, Tx

Who likes  Secret Beach in Austin

This 0.3 km beach is popular among families with children, nature lovers, and also adventurers.

If you come with your kids, don’t forget your sand toys at home as the sand from the beach is perfect for building a sand castle.

Things to know before visiting the beach

Before heading to one of the most secluded beaches in Austin, here are some things to know:

• Swimming is not allowed in the waters of the river not because of the water quality but due to the rapidly waters when the dam is released
• Prepare to encounter many off-leash dogs as guests are allowed to come with their pets
• There is a pretty steep area on the path to the beach, so come with comfy shoes, not flip flops
• There is little shade so don’t forget to bring an umbrella with you
• It takes a little effort to get here but definitely worth it
• Floating to this river is also forbidden

Is Secret Beach still a secret?

Unfortunately, this is not a secret beach anymore, and people rush to this place to relax and have fun.

The place can be quite crowded, especially during the summer season, on weekends and afternoons.

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If you want to have this place more for you, then consider visiting the place in the morning when there are few visitors and you have plenty of space for your own.

What you can do in the area

Austin Secret beach is not that secret for most locals so prepare to find plenty of people there, especially during the summer weekends.

You are not allowed to swim in the area, so if you are interested in swimming, this is not the best place where you can go.

If you put your feet in the water right on the shore, nobody says anything, but swimming is forbidden.

The good news is that there are plenty of other interesting and relaxing things to do in the area, so you don’t have to worry about getting bored easily.

You can spend the entire day perfecting your tan on the beach, hunting for shells or building sand castles with your little ones.

The place is also perfect for picnics, so don’t forget to bring your picnic basket with some snacks, sandwiches, and drinks.

The area is large enough to accommodate families with kids and visitors with pets, so you don’t have to leave your furry friends’ home.

It is a good place to play with your dog in the sand or in the water, and to make new furry friends.

Secret Beach in Austin Texas amenities

This family friendly place is not a commercial beach, easily accessible, and with plenty of shops around.

This is a wild place with no amenities, no restroom facilities, no stores, and shops or rental services.

That is why I recommend you to bring everything you need for a day on the beach and to pack all your things in a backpack as it is easier to carry to the beach.

Don’t forget that you have a 15 minutes walk from the beach to the parking lot, so before starting your walk make sure you don’t leave anything behind.

What to bring at the beach

You will have to walk from the parking lot to the beach, so think twice before packing for Secret Beach.

Here is the list of the minimum things you should take for a day at Austin Secret Beach:

• Shovel and sand toys if you have small kids
• Picnic blanket
• Picnic basket with snacks, sandwiches and drinks
• Sun umbrella
• A hat
• Suncream
• Bug spray

Best time to visit Secret Beach Austin Texas

The best months to visit this amazing place are during the spring season, in March and April, and during the autumn season, in October.

During these months the temperatures are warm enough for perfecting your tan, and the place is less crowded.

During the summer months, between June to September, the temperatures are higher, and the place might be very crowded, especially during weekends and afternoons.

The daily temperatures during the summer months generally exceed 30 degrees Celsius, and there is very little shade in the area.

During the spring and autumn months, the temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius, perfect for spending a day in nature.

Dog policy

This is a pet-friendly beach, so feel free to bring your furry friend with you as long as you have a bag to pick up after it.

It is a place where you will find many visitors playing with their dogs, a place where dogs can run free and play in the sand.

Beaches nearby

There are some other interesting beaches and swimming holes in the area which you can visit during you weekend getaway:

• Campbell’s Hole Beach about 5 miles away
• Deep Eddy Pool Beach – 5 miles away
• Barton Springs Pool Beach – 4 miles away
• McKinney Falls State Park – 4 miles away
• Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake – 2 miles away

There is also Lake Travis with is amazing beaches and perfect waters for swimming, but you have to drive about 40 minutes to reach it.

For the complete list of the best beaches in and near Austin Texas please read our article “The most spectacular Austin Texas beaches”.

Hotels near Secret Beach

There are no amenities, campsites and hotels right near this beach, but the good news is that the beautiful city of Austin is just 20 minutes away.

So consider staying in Austin and take a day trip to this magnificent hidden beach.

I drop below a list with 3 most beautiful hotels in Austin for your weekend getaway:

1. Courtyard by Marriott Austin Pflugerville a wonderful 3-star hotel with an outdoor swimming pool, a bar, and a fitness center. The rooms are spacious and clean and feature TV, bed linens, and towels. A continental breakfast is available at the property for an extra fee. 

2. Hotel Granduca Austin is a 5-star hotel located about 4.4 miles from Barton Springs Pool, featuring a spa center, a restaurant, and a bar. Each room or suite has a TV, a private bathroom with bathrobes, complimentary toiletries, and slippers, while some rooms come with extra space and a seating area. 

3. The Driskill, in The Unbound Collection by Hyatt is a 5-star luxury hotel with exceptional services in the city center of Austin that combines old-world charm with 21st-century luxury. It is one of the best hotels in the city with top-notch services, and incredible dining that even offers a local brewery paired with a 4-course dinner.

Conclusion

Secret Beach in Austin Texas is a beautiful spot perfect for a family getaway on the weekend or even an afternoon.

The place does not have any amenities, but it has a really positive vibe that attracts more and more tourists from one year to another.

Don’t forget to pack everything you need for a day on the beach and be prepared to spend some quality time with your friends and family, far from city noise and pollution.