Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Park On-Site Office Hours

(all camping reservations must be made online)

8 am – 4 pm: Monday-Sunday, October - April, and 8 am - 7 pm: Monday - Sunday, May - September

Park Site Map (Google Map)

Park Day Passes

Park Entry Single Day Passes

March – September 2024 - 

• Monday - Thursday:   Vehicle & hike/bike-in entry pay in person at pay station (coin/credit only)
• Friday - Sunday & Holidays: Pre-Purchase Passes in Advance. 
  • 2024 holidays: April 8 Eclipse Monday, Memorial Day Monday, 4th of July Thursday, & Labor Day Monday.
  • Online Pass Reservation Guide
  • Applies to vehicle & walk/bike in (pedestrian) passes. No entry without a day pass reservation.
  • Passes available up to 14 days in advance, and no less than midnight the night before if not sold out.  Emailed passes should be printed or displayed on a mobile device. Limit 2 per day/household. 

October - February:  ALL vehicle/hike/bike-in entry Pay in person by coin/credit at the park pay station kiosk.

ALERTS!

• Campsite reservations ALREADY INCLUDE fees per day for 1 vehicle.  Additional vehicle passes should be purchased at the pay station.
• Picnic site rentals or large groups should contact the Office of Special Events if they wish to coordinate and pay for guest park entry passes.

Policies – All Park Entry Passes

• Vehicles - 1 pass/vehicle, valid ONLY, and up to 8 persons.  Passes are non-refundable.
• The person purchasing the pass must be present.
• Passes are NOT transferable and may not be used for commercial/business use.
• A valid ID may be required upon arrival for seasonal online sales.
• No in/out privileges are allowed.
• Once at capacity – no additional queuing to get into the park will be allowed.
• Parking along the right of way outside the park is not allowed.  Those without a day pass may not park along the right of way and enter the park.

Fees

• $5 per day/vehicle, Monday through Thursday.
• $10 per day/vehicle Friday through Sunday, and Holidays.
• $1 per day - walk in or bike in (Monday - Wednesday, coin /credit at pay station, online Thursday - Sunday)
• Disabled Veterans receive free park entry day use passes. See the Disabled Veterans section on this page BEFORE making an online day pass, camping or picnic reservation.  Parks staff must provide online account changes to designate free park entry PRIOR to making any reservations.

Payment Methods During Pay at Park Days/Season 

• Pay stations must be used Monday - Thursday for all bike/hike-in day use entry, by campers for entry when cashier is unavailable or after hours.
• Credit cards or coins are accepted at the automated pay stations.
• CASH is NOT accepted for park entry fees.
• Campsite and other facility fees are in addition to the park entrance fee.

Camping Guide & Fees

All camping reservations must be made online up to 180 days in advance. Overcrowding of campsites is NOT allowed.  Please pay attention to limits and number of tents allowed per site.  See the guidebook for detailed information and limits per site. Check in 3 pm daily, check out 10 am.

Vehicle roof top tents systems are ONLY allowed in the RV camping areas as there is no drive in access for them at the Grove, and Bluff areas have tree canopy height clearance challenges.

Book a Campsite

Camping Guide Book - Rules, Site Overview, Check In/Out

Campsite Amenity and Picnic Site Map - Google Map

Utility Campsite Images        Park Wide Photo Gallery 

Sites, Fees & Limits

• Bluff - Primitive Camping (communal water) - $10.00/night - 8 people/site, 2 tents
• Grove - Primitive Camping (no utilities) - $10.00/night - 6 people/site, 2 tents (walk in access to sites, no parking at campsites)
• Utility Areas
  • Non-Waterfront with water & electric - $20.00/night   (32' maximum length)
  • Waterfront with water & electric - $25.00/night   (32' maximum length)
  • ALL sites must have an RV except sites 2, 4 or 7 which may have tent only use

Vehicle Park Entry by Campers: A vehicle entry fee is charged/included as part of the reservation per day. Fees for up to 1 additional vehicles/motorcycles per booked site (Utility or Bluff sites ONLY) shall be paid at the pay station at check-in.

Vehicle Park Entry by Day Guests:  Fees for local or DAY VISITING GUESTS MUST be paid by the guest upon arrival if capacity allows.  March - October passes must be purchased online in advance.

Disabled Veterans receive free park entry day use passes. See the Disabled Veterans section on this page BEFORE making a day pass, camping or picnic reservation.

camping cancellation

Fees apply to cancellations. 14 days or less, 50% penalty, 24 hours or less from 3 pm check in, no refund.

About the Park - Common Rules, Laws, & Boating

Park Amenity Map - Google Map

Turkey Creek Trail Hiking Map

Motorcycle Trail Map

Park Photo Gallery

Motorcycle and Mountain Biking Trails Info

Rules:

• Pets must remain on leash and under the control of the owner at all times. Styrofoam is prohibited.

Common City of Austin Laws:

• Alcohol may be consumed directly at an approved (paid) campsite or picnic site reservation. Alcohol is not permitted in other park locations. Sales are NOT allowed.
• Glass containers are prohibited in the entire park system.
• Smoking is prohibited in all park areas.  Violations are a Class C Misdemeanor.
• Amplified music/sounds/DJs and/or bands all require a sound permit, and are ONLY issued for the picnic table(s) with a paid reservation. A person may not operate sound equipment in a watercraft audible or causing a vibration 100 feet from the equipment.
• 8-5-81 - WATERCRAFT AND OTHER MOTORIZED CRAFT ON LAKE AUSTIN. (A) A person may not use or possess a jet ski, wet bike, motorized surfboard, or similar device on Lake Austin:  (1) from sunset on the Friday before Memorial Day until sunrise on the Tuesday after Memorial Day; (2) from sunset on the Friday before Labor Day until sunrise on the Tuesday after Labor Day; or (3) from sunset on July 3 until sunrise on July 5.
• Boating: Know Before You Go - Austin Police Department Boating Video
• Collection of fire wood at the park is prohibited.
• Alcohol consumption is allowed at rented campsites at this park, and at confirmed (paid) reservations of the picnic table event areas.
• Full Park Rules

Picnic Table Reservations

Rentals start at $60 per site per day, and are between 10 am - 9 pm.  Bookings start 180 days in advance - review the booking schedule (pdf).

Full payment is due received within 14 days from when you first book a site to confirm the reservation.  Last minute bookings require immediate payment online.

Pre-paid vehicle parking entry pass is required for all guests March - October (Fridays-Sundays). Picnic site renters may pre-pay for their guests.  If not, picnic site renters MUST alert their guests to pre-purchase vehicle park entry vehicle pass on their own in advance.  Vehicle park entry passes go on sale 14 days in advance.

REVIEW AND SEE THE SITES!

1. Find a Site - Picnic and Shelter Sites at a Glance (PDF).  See picnic site features and allowances for all sites at a glance.  Find a site that meets your needs.
2. See the Sites - Maps and Images

• Map Tips - Red icons show parks at large, green icons show reservation sites within each park. 
• Switch between "map or satellite" views. Use the map navigate function to map a route to the picnic site!

I'M READY TO BOOK A SITE!

• Submit a Request Online!
• Online requests are accepted on a rolling 180 day window and NO LATER THAN 18 days in advance of the reservation date if available.  If sites are available after the 18 day online submittal deadline, you must call or email the office to make reservations prior to the 14 day cut off for all requests.
• Email:  reservations@austintexas.gov   Voicemail - 512-974-6797.
• HOW TO SEARCH ONLINE:  Select "browse facilities".  In the features box, choose "picnic tables only". In the "location" box select "Emma Long".
• Select a site and Submit a Request Online, answer questions about the proposed use.  Requests will be reviewed, and if approved a bill will be sent.

Tips for a Successful Picnic

Park Multi-Entry Season Passes

Multi-entry season passes are good for a household/person that visits the park frequently. A season pass is valid for up to 20 entries by the person/household, and all passes expire at the end of the calendar year in which they were purchased. Passes are sold ONLINE only Monday - Wednesday.

Park Entry Multi-Entry Passes

• FEE:  Multi-entry pass per car (20 entries). Regular $75; Seniors age 62 and older $40
• Purchase online.  If you have an account, please make sure to fully update all household member and birth dates prior to purchasing a pass.
• Create an account or update existing account (if needed).  Select "browse passes".  Select Emma Long Multi-Entry pass.
• AFTER purchase, email a clean head shot color image to reservations@austintexas.gov
• A digital id will be email to you for display on a smart device at the park.

Policies – All Park Entry Passes

• Vehicles - 1 pass/vehicle, valid ONLY, and up to 8 persons.  Passes are non-refundable.
• The person purchasing the pass must be present.
• Passes are NOT transferable and may not be used for commercial/business use.
• A valid ID may be required upon arrival for seasonal online sales.
• No in/out privileges are allowed.  A punch/entry is deducted upon each entry.
• Parking along the right of way outside the park is not allowed.
• Good for up to 20 entries. All passes expire at the end of each calendar year.

Disabled Veterans

Disabled Veterans receive free park entry day use passes.  If you do not have an park online account, you will need to create one to establish a login/password and complete email verification of your account. Create an online account at www.austintexas.gov/parksonline.

Camping - Complete this form BEFORE making a day pass, camping or picnic reservation. The online account will be updated to allow for a free pass.

Day Use Entry

• December- February - display credentials to the park attendant upon entry.
• March - November - Complete this form BEFORE making a day pass, camping or picnic reservation. The online account will be established or updated to allow for a free pass.
  • Parks staff are able to assist with received account forms Monday through Friday, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday except City holidays. Parks staff must complete online account changes to designate free park entry PRIOR to making any reservations or day use pass purchases.

Disabled Veteran access policy.

Fishing Tournaments and Events

Fishing Tournaments and Events

By City Code and Park Rules, all organized events require permits to ensure proper planning and logistical coordination.  This includes all tournaments that require admission or participation fees.  This ensures successful experience for those proposing tournaments, while maintaining public park access.   Applications are strongly encouraged to be submitted a minimum of 4-6 months in advance to ensure organizers have sufficient time to prepare permit requirements such a use fees, insurance and related submittals.

Use this form to apply, or go www.austintexas.gov/parkevents.

Park History

For years, the park on Lake Austin was named City Park.  Then, on June 28, 1984,  Mayor Carol Keeton Rylander, proposed to the City Council that the park be renamed for Emma Long.  Emma Long was first elected to the Austin City Council in 1948.  During her tenure, she reactivated the Parks Board and became a long time supporter.  In 1967, she became the first woman to serve as Mayor Pro Tem in Austin.  She also supported an Open Housing Ordinance and in 1969, she became one of three Council Member to lose reelection, due to their support of the ordinance.

The unveiling renaming the park took place on Friday, December 10, 1993.   “It’s nice to have a park with a lot of natural features”, said Long.  In clarifying park names, she distinguished herself from Walter E. Long, “we are no kin, in fact he thought I was radical.  We later became friends”.  Her political career spanned nearly two decades.