My wife is from San Antonio, which is ninety miles from Austin, and I've lived there for three years and visit regularly (I shall be going again next month).
What you have to appreciate is that there is no local path network such as we have here. A book published 25 years ago stated that Texas, which is the size of France, '...is fortunate to have 1500 miles of trails...'. Things have improved a bit since then and I believe that Austin has more accessible trails than most cities in Texas. One guidebook to the trails around San Antonio and Austin lists some as short as half a mile.
Are you aware that, according to State law, it is a capital crime to walk more than a hundred yards from your car except in car parks (which are huge)? Most Texans do their walking in one of the numerous state parks which are often located many miles from the big cities. There is an entrance fee, access is restricted to daylight hours, unless you have obtained a permit for overnight camping, and the trails are often crowded. There are numerous minatory notices about the dangers of snakes, falling into creeks, flash floods, steep hills and uneven trails etc. It's all highly organized and controlled and has none of the freedom to walk to which we are accustomed.
The US Geological Survey topographical maps are often years out of date and often difficult to obtain. There is an REI store in Austin which stocks hiking maps and walks guides.
Temperatures are likely to be in excess of 100°F which, in a state park such as Enchanted Rock where there is much exposed limestone, can become oppressive. The trail maps given to you when you pay your entrance fee show the location of water points and loos.
, if you and the kids are interested in cowboys and indians type history, Fort Sill is good.
