Secret Beach Has Stairs Now

I have never been so excited about a set of stairs. But here I am, dying to tell you about the new steps at Secret Beach.

For the uninitiated, Secret Beach is a not-secret-at-all little beach along the Colorado River, west of Longhorn Dam, accessible via Roy G. Guerrero Park in East Austin. It’s a nice, secluded area to enjoy a dip in the water, and a picnic on a miserably hot Austin day. But the beach has always had one dangerous quirk – a hill on the trail on the way in.

A bit treacherous, said hill was steep, and hard to careen down, especially with a cooler or a baby in tow. But the Texas Conservation Corps added stairs to make it easier to get to the oasis, according to the City of Austin Park Rangers.

“The old path was steep, sketchy and often washed out. These stairs should provide a safer way down to the Colorado River while preventing further erosion,” the rangers said.

Everyone say, “Thank you Corps members!”

How To Get To Secret Beach

Park at Roy G. Guerrero Colorado Metropolitan Park in the lot next to the Montopolis Youth Sports Complex, and walk across the street to the trail. At the first fork in the trail, take a right. At the next fork, head toward the right, where it looks like the trail peters out. That’s where you’ll find the stairs. Once you’re at the bottom of the stairs, just keep walking until you get to the water. It’s right there. The whole walk is a little over a quarter of a mile.

An important reminder from Austin Park Rangers: “Practice ‘Leave No Trace’ at Secret Beach, plan ahead and prepare to pack out your trash, don't bring glass, and keep your dogs leashed up. It's a special place that deserves a little extra care when visiting.”