Emma Long Park

Emma Long Metropolitan Park (City Park) is open 7 days a week, 365 days a year from 7:00am to 10:00pm.  The park features open space, camp sites, boat ramps, reservation based picnic table sites and a designating swimming area.

  • Starting Thursday, May 14, park patrons will be required to obtain day passes for Emma Long Metropolitan Park, Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, and Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park via an online registration system. A limited number of passes will be available per day. No entry will be granted without a pass.   Press Release

  • Beginning on Thursday, May 21, 2020, park staff will monitor walk-in/cyclist capacity at the park. Once capacity is reached, no additional walk-ins/cyclists will be allowed into the parks. Signage will be on-site along with park staff to educate visitors. Walk-ins/cyclists will move to a day pass system (similar to vehicles) in the coming weeks. A date for passes will be announced when the system is operational. We wish to remind park visitors that no parking is allowed on the right-of-way outside these parks. Please reserve day passes and only park in designated parking areas. Press Release

ALERT! - COVID19 CLOSURES - information about Austin Park closures.

http://www.austintexas.gov/COVID19

Park Office Hours

(all camping reservations must be made online)

8 am – 4 pm year      Monday through Sunday*

  • May through the 1st week of September, office hours are extended Friday through Sunday 8 am – 7 pm, dependent on the availability of staffing.
Park Entry Day Use Passes and Fees

Park Entry Passes for Day Users (with vehicles)

  • March – September
  • Monday - Wednesday:   Pay in person at pay station (coin/credit only)
  • Thursday – Sunday:       Must be reserved in advanced online   
    • No entry is granted without a day pass reservation
    • Passes available 14 days in advance, and no less than midnight the night before.  Passes are emailed and should be printed for display.  Once at capacity – no additional queuing to get into the park will be allowed.  Limit 2 per day/household.
    • Passes also required Memorial & Labor Day Mondays, and 4th of July.
    • Online Pass Reservation Guide
    • Persons who do NOT have a computer, may call for assistance during normal office hours 512-974-6797. (NOTE - Currently the city is working under modified operations due to COVID19.  Please call, leave a message for assistance.)
  • January - February, and October – December
  • Pay in person by COIN/CREDIT at the park pay station

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 – Park Entry Passes

  • 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.
  • 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

  • $1 per day - walk in or bike in (coin or credit only at pay station)
  • $5 per day, Monday through Thursday.
  • $10 per day Friday through Sunday, and Holidays.
  • Multi-entry pass per car (20 entries) Regular $75; Seniors age 62 and older $40
  • 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.  Parks staff must provide online account changes to designate free park entry PRIOR to making any reservations.

Payment method:  

  • Pay stations should be used for all bike or hike-in day use entry and 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.
  • 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 in advance.

Campsite Amenity and Picnic Site Map - Google Map

Park Photo Gallery

Motorcycle and Mountain Biking Trails Info

Camping Guide and Fees

Beginning June 13th, access to camp grounds will resume in a staged fashion for the various camping locations inside the park as follows:

  • Utility campsite reservations - arrivals allowed beginning June 13th.
  • Grove campsite reservations - arrivals allowed beginning June 27th.
  • Bluff campsites reservations - arrivals allowed beginning July 11th.
  • EXISTING RESERVATIONS will be honored for each location beginning as they currently exist  (no additions or extensions).
  • NEW RESERVATIONS - New reservations can be made NOW for campsites.  Sites will be available for reservation in managed fashion to prevent overcrowding, assist with social distancing, and safeguarding public health.  Odd numbered campsites will be available for booking until further notice.
  • NOTICE - local health conditions could affect or change availability and conditions in the future.  Notices will be sent if conditions change.

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

Park Wide Photo Gallery  

  • All camping reservations must be made online
  • Primitive Camping Site (no utilities) - $10.00 per night   
  • Primitive Camping Site (with water) - $10.00 per night    
  • Premium Camping Site (Non-Waterfront with water & electric) - $20.00 per night   (32' maximum length)
  • Premium Camping Site (Waterfront with water & electric) - $25.00 per night   (32' maximum length)
  • A vehicle entry fee will be charged as part of the reservation.  
  • Fees for additional vehicles/motorcycles shall be paid at the pay station at check-in. Check in starts at 3 pm.
  • Check out must be complete by 10 am.

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.  Parks staff must provide online account changes to designate free park entry PRIOR to making any reservations.

  book a campsite cancel reservation

Common Park Rules, Laws, and Boating

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/dj’s 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
Disabled Veterans

Disabled Veterans receive free park entry day use passes. Complete this form BEFORE making a day pass, camping or picnic reservation. 

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

Emma Long, 1993 Former Council Member

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.