6 Ways to Get Outside Around Brownwood

You do not have to earn the outdoors here. Most of what follows is fifteen minutes from a decent cup of coffee, which we consider the correct ratio.

1. Paddle the Pecan Bayou Kayak Trail

A paddle trail that runs through town rather than away from it — slow water, shade most of the way, and enough herons to make you feel like you’ve gone further than you have. Best in the couple of hours after sunrise, or from late September once the heat gives up.

2. Lake Brownwood State Park

The big one: swimming, fishing, camping, cabins, and a boat ramp that makes a day on the water easy to organise. The cabins are the move for a weekend, and they book out ahead of festival dates.

3. The Brownwood Scenic Overlook

Short drive, long view. Go at sunset. There is nothing else to say about it, which is rather the point.

4. Riverside Park — including the disc golf

Riverside is the everyday park: shade, room to run, and a disc golf course that regulars will happily tell you about at length. Free, and uncrowded on weekday evenings.

5. The Camp Bowie walking trail

Flat, open walking on the old Camp Bowie grounds. Good for a morning that needs to be simple.

6. Finish at the water’s edge

Dean’s Lakehouse and Wild Duck Marina are both the sort of place where the parking lot is half boat trailers. Eat outside. Stay for the light.

In town, Over the Rainbow Ice Cream solves the same problem differently.

One more, if you’re here in August

Master Naturalist Training runs on the 13th — a real course rather than a tourist activity, and a good way in if you’re the kind of visitor who ends up moving here.