Outdoors
National forests, parks, lakes and recreation areas with hiking trails near Killeen, closest first.
Good to know: Carry more water than you think you need, check the managing agency’s page for trail closures and fire restrictions, and start early on hot days.
12 mi southeast · US Army Corps of Engineers
Historical sites include the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is located near the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
15 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.
15 mi east · US Army Corps of Engineers
Live Oak Ridge campground is located at Belton Lake close by the dam and the city of Belton.
Map of 21 places loads as you scroll.
Historical sites include the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Stillhouse Hollow Lake is located near the Fort Hood Army Base, which has several points of interest for the military buff.
Historical sites include the old "Charter Oak" on the Leon River, near the City of Belton, and the Stage Coach Inn in nearby Salado. Tour Miller Springs Nature Area located below Belton Dam.
Live Oak Ridge campground is located at Belton Lake close by the dam and the city of Belton.
Cedar Ridge Park campground is located on the Northern side of Belton Lake. This year-round campground accommodates both tents and RVs and has several sites with screened shelters for those who do not have camping equipment.
Winkler Park is a small, primitive campground on the northern shore of Belton Lake in Central Texas.
Jim Hogg Park sits on the north side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Tejas Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin.
Cedar Breaks Park sits on the south side of Georgetown Lake in the Hill Country of Texas, about 25 miles north of Austin. Recreation Boating is the most popular way to enjoy the lake, and a boat ramp is provided for guests.
Located 4 mi W of Georgetown via FM 2338, the lake is easily accessible from the Austin area. The dam impounds the San Gabriel River in the Hill Country of central Texas.
Russell Park is located on the west side of Georgetown Lake, in the Texas Hill Country approximately 25 miles north of Austin. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing and exploring the San Gabriel River Trail.
Taylor Campground, on the banks of Granger Lake, is an excellent lakeside destination for families of all ages. The park pleases nature lovers with its hiking trail and water skiers with its easily accessible boat dock.
This rugged terrain has spared old Ashe juniper and oak woodlands from logging and shelters some of the best golden-cheeked warbler habitat. The Brazos tributaries to the north cut only shallow canyons.
The largest lake in the United States to be located entirely within a single city's municiple boundaries.
There are 10 Corps of Engineers parks, one state park, and three additional parks managed by Hill County or private individuals. Equestrian riders have a great place to explore rolling hills and woods in the McCown Valley Equestrian Area.
Navarro Mills Lake holds the state record white crappie at 4lbs 9 ounces.
Nearby points of interest include Bluebonnet Trails, Independence Day Trek and Salt Grass Trek.
In the early part of the 19th century, the lower Guadalupe River Basin, below the current location of Canyon Lake, had been especially subject to serious flooding. Congress authorized in the 1940's the construction of Canyon Lake Dam.
Bardwell Lake is located in the Blackland Prairie region of southwestern Ellis County. Built in 1965 for flood control by the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bardwell Lake is located two miles southwest of Ennis off of State Highway 34.
Joe Pool Lake is a 7,400-acre impoundment located in the southern portion of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 to provide habitat for one of the last populations of the critically endangered Attwater’s Prairie-Chicken , a ground-dwelling grouse of the coastal prairie…
Centrally located in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex just minutes from DFW Airport, Grapevine Lake offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Distances are straight-line miles from downtown Killeen. Listings come from Recreation.gov’s federal recreation database; check each official page for hours, fees, fire restrictions and closures before you go.
THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by Britney Ford.
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THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT
A local activity Short shared by The254girl.
Watch on YouTube ↗
Stillhouse Hollow Lake (US Army Corps of Engineers), about 12 miles southeast of Killeen as the crow flies. Next are Belton Lake (15 mi) and Live Oak Ridge (15 mi).
Based on Killeen’s average highs, October–April. Conditions at higher elevations can be much cooler.
Federal agencies including US Army Corps of Engineers, Fish and Wildlife Service. Each listing links to its official page for hours, fees, closures and current conditions.