Yearning for a taste of the great outdoors? Escape into a rustic woodland wonderland at Turkey Creek Trail. This 2.8-mile hike will make you feel like you're adventuring through a whole new world, but the well-marked trails alleviate the stress from navigating. Enjoy the shady trees and refreshing water. You'll want to hike this shady, creekside Austin trail again and again.

The Turkey Creek Trail is tucked away inside Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin.

This blissful patch of nature is part of the Emma Long Metropolitan Park complex, so there's plenty of picnic areas and recreational activities to enjoy, too. The park was named after Austin's first female city council member. Emma Long's contributions to the city's parks are still intact today.

You can get the wilderness experience without even leaving the city limits.

From the trailhead, you'll enter into a shady trail full of wonders. In addition to the typical Cedar and Live Oak trees, you'll come across plants that thrive near the water. Keep your eye out for vibrant mountain laurels and magnificent sycamores.

This dog-friendly trail is perfect for your four-legged friends.

On a typical Saturday, you're likely to come across many families with dogs on the trail. The rocky terrain and patches of water make this trek especially exciting for pets, and the shady trees shield them from the scorching sun.

Creek stones are perfectly placed along the trail to help you cross the water.

The Turkey Creek Trail requires a bit of endurance, but you'll find that this hike isn't as difficult as it seems. This journey often weaves across the rippling creek, so rocks are securely placed to ensure the path runs smoothly.

The mystical surroundings will make you feel like you're walking through a fairy tale.

You half expect to see a fairy flit from tree to tree.

The rippling creek provides the perfect soundtrack to a mid-afternoon stroll.

After a heavy rain, you can hear the water rushing.

The views at Turkey Creek Trail are nothing short of magical.

Turkey Creek Trail is located inside Emma Long Metropolitan Park at 1600 City Park Rd. The park is open every day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Entrance costs $5 per car on weekdays and $10 per car on weekends and holidays.

Have you traversed along Turkey Creek Trail? If you need more hiking ideas, you can never go wrong at these eight jaw-dropping trails.