Some popular Austin hiking trails are open, but there's a major coronavirus-era change: You have to reserve time online beforehand to access them on weekends. Here's how it works.

Joey HaddenMay 18, 2020, 22:11 IST

You need a day pass to enter Commons Ford Ranch, Walter E. Long, and Emma Long Metropolitan parks.Alison L./yelp

Austin parks closed on Easter weekend to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and then again a couple of weekends after due to overcrowding, but there was no blanket rule requiring all parks to close.
Texas's stay at home order expired on April 30, and now three popular Austin parks are now requiring day passes to enter from Thursday through Sunday because of increased outdoor activity amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Here's how you can make reservations between one and 14 days in advance with Austin's Parks and Recreation Department website. Here's how. Those without access to a device or internet can call 512-974-6797 for assistance.
I tried to book a spot for myself last week and could only find availability for several weekends away.
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Your pass will be sent to your email address. Print it out and bring it with you to the park.

This is what the pass looks like. Joey Hadden/Business Insider

After you enter your email address, tap or click "Submit."

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, you'll need to fill out some of your information again.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Scroll to the bottom of your shopping cart to check out.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Doing this will add the tickets to your shopping cart.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once you find an available date, this screen will pop up with a list of regulations. Scroll to the bottom of it and tap or click "Continue."

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

If this happens, go back to the previous screen and select another date. Repeat this process until you find an available date.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, you may be told there are no more tickets available for your selected date. I tried to book some tickets for myself and could only find tickets available for two weekends away.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, you may be told there are no more tickets available for your selected date. I tried to book some tickets for myself and could only find tickets available for two weekends away.

Once you make your account, you'll be asked which day you want to reserve your ticket for, and how many tickets you want. You can reserve a maximum of two tickets.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

You will have to fill out some personal information. The required information to fill out is in red letterings, like your first and last name and address.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

For your account, you'll need to come up with a username and password.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

At this point, you'll be asked to log into the side. If you don't have an account with Austin Parks and Recreation, you'll be prompted to create one.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The site will then display a list of available tickets from each park. Tap or click add to cart on the park you want to reserve.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

Once you've done that, you'll be given the option to search for tickets by date.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

When you get to the online registration page, tap or click "Browse Tickets/Park Entry Day Passes" to get a pass to enter the park on a specific date.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There's a May 14 update further down the page detailing the new policy. Click the link in the update that says "online registration system."

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

First, search austintexas.gov/parks in your web browser on a smart device, and scroll down to "Parks and Recreation Closure info." Tap or click it.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

To reserve a spot in an upcoming weekend at one of these parks, you'll have to go online to the City of Austin website. One person can reserve up to two spots.

Commons Ford Metropolitan Park. Candice D./Yelp

The parks, Emma E. Long, Commons Ford, and Walter E. Long, are known for their hiking trails and lake access.

Becktastic L./Yelp

Three Austin parks are requiring reservations to enter on Thursday through Sunday each week. A limited number of passes will be available each day.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park. Katie H./Yelp

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Some popular Austin hiking trails are open, but there's a major coronavirus-era change: You have to reserve time online beforehand to access them on weekends. Here's how it works.

Your pass will be sent to your email address. Print it out and bring it with you to the park.

After you enter your email address, tap or click "Submit."

At this point, you'll need to fill out some of your information again.

Scroll to the bottom of your shopping cart to check out.

Doing this will add the tickets to your shopping cart.

Once you find an available date, this screen will pop up with a list of regulations. Scroll to the bottom of it and tap or click "Continue."

If this happens, go back to the previous screen and select another date. Repeat this process until you find an available date.

At this point, you may be told there are no more tickets available for your selected date. I tried to book some tickets for myself and could only find tickets available for two weekends away.

Once you make your account, you'll be asked which day you want to reserve your ticket for, and how many tickets you want. You can reserve a maximum of two tickets.

You will have to fill out some personal information. The required information to fill out is in red letterings, like your first and last name and address.

For your account, you'll need to come up with a username and password.

At this point, you'll be asked to log into the side. If you don't have an account with Austin Parks and Recreation, you'll be prompted to create one.

The site will then display a list of available tickets from each park. Tap or click add to cart on the park you want to reserve.

Once you've done that, you'll be given the option to search for tickets by date.

When you get to the online registration page, tap or click "Browse Tickets/Park Entry Day Passes" to get a pass to enter the park on a specific date.

There's a May 14 update further down the page detailing the new policy. Click the link in the update that says "online registration system."

First, search austintexas.gov/parks in your web browser on a smart device, and scroll down to "Parks and Recreation Closure info." Tap or click it.

To reserve a spot in an upcoming weekend at one of these parks, you'll have to go online to the City of Austin website. One person can reserve up to two spots.

The parks, Emma E. Long, Commons Ford, and Walter E. Long, are known for their hiking trails and lake access.

Three Austin parks are requiring reservations to enter on Thursday through Sunday each week. A limited number of passes will be available each day.