Why Waco Wetlands Should Be Your Next Outdoor Waco Adventure

By Kelsey Kennedy | January 3, 2025

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The name “wetlands” is dangerously close to "badlands"... is it giving "prehistoric danger" to anyone else, or just me? But in reality, wetlands are literally any area that’s covered in water…constantly, or just seasonally. The Waco Wetlands are an absolutely gorgoues (and vital!) part of Waco, and if you’ve never been, I’m going to try to convince you to make the Waco Wetlands your next outdoor adventure.

About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheAustinThings.com!

What Are The Waco Wetlands?

Wetlands are simply a shallow land that’s covered with water. It’s usually a bit swampy or marshy with seasonal water coverage during rainy seasons, and occasional dry patches. Wetlands are absolutely vital to our water quality and ecosystem, which is why it’s so cool that Waco A) built the wetlands, and B) allows visitors to experience them and learn about them.

The Waco Wetlands were built in 2001 after the city of Waco decided to raise the Lake Waco level by 7 feet with the use of dams. That would have been pretty catastrophic for a lot of the aquatic and terrestrial species, which is why the Lake Waco Wetlands Project was started.

Nowadays, the Wetlands are an important part of the water quality in Waco. About 11 million gallons of water are pumped through the wetlands EVERY DAY and fed into Lake Waco, which is where the city get the majority of its drinking water.

What Is There To Do At The Waco Wetlands?

Hiking, fishing, birding, and relaxing are the four main things to do at the Waco Wetlands.

This is a beautiful, peaceful, quiet spot to stop by and go for a walk. There are about 3.5 miles of hiking trails where you can walk around the perimeter of the wetlands and soak up the beauty. There are lots of peaceful wind chimes, birds flying overhead, and the sound of wind through the plants.

You don’t need to make a reservation to the wetlands. You can just show up, park your car, and start exploring. If the Research and Education center is open they ask that you sign it, but if it’s locked, just carry on.

As you’re walking toward the wetlands, there’s a path with educational information for all the biology nerds out there. A little “walk-and-learn” if you will.

There are also lots of peaceful spots with benches where you can rest and do some birding.

If it’s the rainy season and everything is swampy and flooded, you probably won’t be able to hike. But you will be able to fish!

The Best Part Of The Waco Wetlands

Well, I suppose the best part of the wetlands is that it’s vital to the terrestrial and aquatic ecology in Waco. Aaaand that it’s an incredible educational component to Baylor students’ degrees.

Ok, but in addition to all of that? The best part of the Waco Wetlands is that it’s one of the prettiest places in Waco.

I stopped by on a quiet winter afternoon. There were a handful of people walking around, a few of them with dogs on leashes, but there were no field trips or loud groups. Everyone was enjoying the sunny, cold weather, the breeze whipping through the wetlands, and the sound of nature.

It’s a phenomenal place to go hiking in Waco. Since it’s about 15 minutes away from the center of town, a lot of people won’t bother to drive out this far. Which means it’s great for folks who love quiet solitude and reflection while they walk in nature.

It’s seriously SO peaceful and pretty out there and well worth a visit.

Important Things To Know About The Waco Wetlands

Reservations aren’t required unless you’re planning a field trip with children, in which case you’ll have to call ahead to make a reservation.

The wetlands are FREE to visit which is why they’re on this guide to the best free thing sto do in Waco.

There’s a pretty little picnic area in a tree grove near the parking lot. If you’re there during lunch time, pack a lunch!

It’s better to visit during dry seasons instead of rainy seasons. This is a wetland, and it floods and gets marshy! If it’s been raining a lot, it might be too muddy and swampy to hike or walk around very much.

The Lake Waco Wetlands are NOT a lake. They feed into Lake Waco, and they’re close to the lake on a map, but this isn’t a big lake! It’s more like a marsh.

The education center might be closed when you visit. They’re technically open 8-4, M-F, but they also close for a lot of holidays and events. You can still visit, even if the education center is locked.