A little closer to nature
Cameron Park, Waco. Find local parks, trails and nearby public lands below.
Photo by Daniel Huizinga, CC BY 2.0. Display may crop the original.
Explore Waco outdoors
Parks, trails, rivers and nearby public lands. Check the official operator’s conditions, access and fees before heading out.
Parks & trails
Cameron Park
Free ordinary admission. Wooded trails, river overlooks and picnic spots near downtown. Trail difficulty varies; hikers and cyclists share routes.
Trail map & rules · Visitor information
Riverwalk & Suspension Bridge
Cost: check operator for parking, rentals or programs. Walk or ride beside the Brazos between Baylor and Cameron Park. Choose a short out-and-back or a longer route.
Cotton Belt Trail
Cost: check operator. A 2.5-mile rail-corridor trail for walking, running and cycling, with a South Bosque River crossing. Plan your return distance.
Carleen Bright Arboretum
Free ordinary grounds admission. Gardens and the Todd Willis Nature Trail at 9001 Bosque Boulevard, Woodway. Events may cost extra; splash-pad operation is seasonal.
Grounds information · Visitor information
Lakeside Park, Woodway
Cost: check operator. Nature trails, disc golf, a playground and picnic space at 2025 Estates Drive. Check posted rules before any water activity.
River & lake
Lake Waco Wetlands
Free ordinary admission. Birdwatching and quiet nature walks northwest of the lake. Ask the City about education-center access, guided visits and current accessible-route conditions.
Plan a wetlands visit · Visitor information
Lake Waco Dam Trail
Cost: check operator. Approximately two miles of lake views. Check USACE access information; prepare for exposed sun and wind.
Brazos & Bosque paddling
Cost: check launch and rental providers. Bosque Bluffs is a 2.2-mile loop; Brazos Bridges is 4.8 miles. Wear a life jacket and match your route to water levels, weather and ability.
Official paddling routes & launches
Nearby public lands
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Grounds free; Dig Shelter tour paid. Through December 2026: adults 18–61 $6; ages 4–17, seniors 62+ and military with ID $5; ages 3 and under free. NPS documents wheelchair, scooter and stroller access to the shelter.
Mother Neff State Park
$2 per adult daily; ages 12 and under free. Camping costs extra. Prairie and woodland hiking near Moody. Check alerts: the lower park is flood-damaged and closed; swimming and fishing are prohibited.
Park alerts, reservations & access
Before you go
Confirm surfaces, slopes, parking and facilities for your group. Use the trip checklist.
Sources checked October 12, 2026. Operators set current fees, conditions and rules. This community guide is not a government website.