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Mount Bonnell, Austin

what a view! - Austin
what a view!
by yelli
Mount Bonnell tips and photos posted by real travelers and Austin locals.
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• 13 Reviews

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Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • nomorewars
  • By nomorewars on July 6, 2008
  • Austin Page by nomorewars
  • Mount Bonnell - Austin
    by nomorewars,
    1 more photos
    Mount Bonnell is a prominent point alongside Lake Austin. It has long been a popular picnicking & tourist spot ever since the mid-1800s, where one can obtain an excellent view of the City of Austin, Lake Austin, & the surrounding hills of the Hill Country.

    Mount Bonnell was named after the early Texas newspaper publisher George W. Bonnell, who moved to Texas in 1836, & was the publisher of the local paper The Texas Sentinel.

    A rather popular story of Mount Bonnell tells of a young woman who leaped to her death in order to avoid capture from Native Americans that killed her fiancé. Supposedly, because of this act, Mount Bonnell was once referred to as Antoinette’s Leap.

    As you can tell in the picture, we made our visit to Mount Bonnell during complete darkness. This was done specifically for the purpose of viewing the City of Austin’s fireworks display in celebration of Independence Day (U.S.).

    Even at night the view was stunning. There were numerous hiking trails & observation points which made the experience a whole lot better. Being that it was the 4th of July, there were hundreds of people present; therefore, we were not able to listen to the coyotes howl at night as they were all frightened off by the vast number of human beings.

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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • yelli
  • Updated By yelli on August 10, 2004
  • Austin Page by yelli
  • what a view! - Austin
    what a view!
    by yelli
    This is one of the highest places in Austin, and some of the most beautiful scenery. It's also a great spot for a date, a picnic, hiking, etc. Most people will go to the front entrance and climb alllll those stairs, but there's also a side entrance with no stairs at all. You can look below on the river and see all the boats, or directly below, the aereal view of houses, or across the river, more nice houses. Also you can see the skyline of Austin not too far in the distance.
    ~Some History~ From Citysearch -
    The Scene
    Opened in the 1850s, this is the oldest tourist attraction in Austin. It's said that if a couple climb the 100 stairs to the top of Mount Bonnell once, they fall in love; twice, they'll become engaged; and after three times, it's inevitable they'll get married. In addition to its mysterious romantic influence, the park has picnic tables and a pavilion.

    The Background
    The origin of the park's name is the subject of some debate, but most accounts say that the site is named after George W. Bonnell, a man with a reputation as big as Texas. More sentimental historians recount the story of Golden Nell and her hubby, Beau. The pair jumped off the 785-foot peak to avoid capture and torture by Native Americans.

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  • Address: 3800 Mt Bonnell Dr, Austin
  • Phone: (512) 974-6700
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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • ATXtraveler
  • By ATXtraveler on June 16, 2004
  • Austin Page by ATXtraveler
  • Mt. Bonnell - Austin
    Mt. Bonnell
    by ATXtraveler
    Austin's Mount Bonnell is one of Austin's oldest tourist attractions being documented as far back as 1850. It is the highest point within Austin City Limits at 785 feet, but is actually smaller than Mt. Larson directly across from Mt. Bonnell but located in West Lake Hills. A wonderful place to picnic in the sun, Mt. Bonnell contains views of Town Lake and the Pennybacker Bridge as well as wonderful vistas of downtown. The area is a short hike from the road and there is no entrance fee.

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  • Directions: Mt Bonnell is located off FM 2222 on the West side of Mopac. Head West from Mopac on FM 2222 until you reach Mt. Bonnell Road and turn left.
  • Website: http://austin.about.com/cs/photogallery/l/bl_wherebonnell.htm
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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • Jmill42
  • By Jmill42 on June 14, 2003
  • Austin Page by Jmill42
  • Monument at the Top! - Austin
    Monument at the Top!
    by Jmill42
    Rising 200 feet over the surrounding area, Mount Bonnell offers visitors a great view of downtown, as well as, Lake Austin (which is really part of the Colorado River). It is a bit of a hike to the top from where you park, but the view is worth it. It is open 5 AM - 10 PM.

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  • Directions: Take 35th street to Mount Bonnell Rd.
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    Mount Bonnell: The View Atop Mt Bonnell
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  • Jmill42
  • By Jmill42 on June 14, 2003
  • Austin Page by Jmill42
  • Downtown Austin - Austin
    Downtown Austin
    by Jmill42
    Apparently, there is a local legend about lovers throwing themselves off the top and falling to their death. I don't advise this. You will definitely get your name in the paper, but there are better ways to doing that! At ~780 feet above sea level, the afforded those who brave the hike look like this...

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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • Tom_Fields
  • Updated By Tom_Fields on September 29, 2006
  • Austin Page by Tom_Fields
  • The observation point on top of Mt Bonnell - Austin
    The observation point on top
    of Mt Bonnell
    by Tom_Fields, 3 more photos
    This is an excellent vantage point for simply looking out over the city. The hike to the top is moderately demanding. The phone number and website are for Austin Parks and Recreation.

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  • Phone: 512-974-6700
  • Directions: From MoPac Expressway, take the 35th Street exit and head west. Proceed past Camp Mabry and take the left fork on the road onto Old Bull Creek Road. Turn right onto Mount Bonnell Road and lumber up the the hill. Parking is on the left.
  • Website: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/default.htm
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    Mount Bonnell: Enjoy the view at Mount Bonnell
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  • Jefie
  • By Jefie on May 14, 2006
  • Austin Page by Jefie
  • Sylvain and Lisa, enjoying the view at Mt Bonnell - Austin
    Sylvain and Lisa, enjoying the
    view at Mt Bonnell
    by Jefie
    At 785 feet above sea level, Mount Bonnell offers a beautiful panoramic view of downtown Austin, the Colorado River, Lake Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. There's a road that leads almost all the way to the top, and there's plenty of parking space available. All you have to do after that is climb the 99 steps to the top of Mount Bonnell. So not much of a hike, but a great place for a picnic or for watching sunset.

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  • Address: On Mt Bonnell Rd
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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell has the best...
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  • contadina
  • Updated By contadina on January 10, 2003
  • Austin Page by contadina
  • Mount Bonnell Park has the best view of Austin. You can see every side of the city...the capital to beautiful homes.
    This is a great date spot, totally romantic and easy to find a quiet spot to sit.

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  • Address: 3800 Mt Bonnell Dr
  • Directions: on Lake Austin
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    Mount Bonnell: Mount Bonnell
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  • SinKitty
  • By SinKitty on August 26, 2002
  • Austin Page by SinKitty
  • Mount Bonnell - Austin
    by SinKitty
    Mount Bonnell overlooks a vast expanse of Austin. It is located right off the lake, so it's very serene and relaxing. The sunsets are INCREDIBLE.

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    Mount Bonnell: Mt Bonnell - Mountain in Texas????
    hope6481
  • By hope6481 on March 22, 2008
  • Austin Page by hope6481
  • Yes a mountain in Texas. This place is beautiful. My husband and I are sure to make this a stop every year. We always go to Whole Foods, get some food from their deli, and head to Mt Bonnell for a picnic. There is a look out area, after you climb the never ending stairs, that is perfect to eat and relax at. There are always people there. Oh, and wear tennis shoes, you will need them. I can sit for hours and just gaze at the view from the top.

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