The short version: In Austin, the Butler Trail around Lady Bird Lake is rerouted on the north shore between Brazos and Trinity streets through at least March 2027, and I-35 construction keeps a long-term detour near the bridge. In Houston, the western Outer Loop at Memorial Park stays closed until 2027, and parts of the park close on race mornings this fall. In Dallas, the White Rock Lake Trail section by Garland Road reopened in August.
Fall is when Texas runners log their longest miles, usually on the same few loops. Here’s what has changed on the busiest ones, from the groups that manage them, checked October 1, 2026.
Austin: Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
- Waller Beach reroute (north shore). The Trail Conservancy says that from June 2026 through March 2027 the trail is rerouted on the north shore near the Confluence and the Austin Rowing Club building, so Austin Energy can install underground electrical infrastructure along the shoreline between Brazos and Trinity streets. KUT reported a slight detour toward Cesar Chavez Street and said it would last through summer 2027, so plan for it into next year. Slow down and follow on-site staff.
- I-35 Capital Express. The Conservancy lists a long-term detour for TxDOT’s I-35 project, with a duration of eight years (to 2033). The pedestrian ramp from the northbound I-35 frontage road at Riverside Drive to the Boardwalk is closed through 2029; the staircase and Boardwalk stay open except for intermittent closures.
- Check before you go. Short detours for tree work and events come and go; the Conservancy’s detours page is the live list.
The full loop is about 10 miles, per the City of Austin. If you’re planning a long run around a race, our Austin races page has the fall calendar, and the Austin Marathon guide covers February.
Houston: Memorial Park
- Western Outer Loop closed until 2027. The Memorial Park Conservancy says the western portion of the Outer Loop Trail will stay closed until 2027 for construction of Memorial Groves.
- Race-morning closures. The Conservancy says portions of the trails at Memorial Park’s Bayou Wilds will be reserved for Speed Series races, closed to the public from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on October 3, October 17, October 24 and November 7.
- Picnic Loop closed October 8–12 for the Bayou City Arts Festival.
- Parking hours. The Running Complex and Picnic Loop lots close at 9:00 p.m. and reopen at 4:30 a.m.
The 3-mile Seymour Lieberman Trail is unaffected. More Houston routes, from Buffalo Bayou to Terry Hershey Park, are in our Run Houston guide.
Dallas: White Rock Lake Trail reopened
Earlier this year a sinkhole opened next to the White Rock Lake Trail over an abandoned wastewater pipeline. The City of Dallas backfilled it, then grouted the 36-inch pipe starting the week of June 15 as a long-term fix. The city said the closed section along Garland Road and E. Lawther, between Garland Road and Winfrey Point, was scheduled to reopen by August 7, 2026. Dallas Parks calls the 9.4-mile White Rock loop the city’s most popular trail, and it hosts DRC’s The Half on November 1 and the New Year’s Eve Loop-the-Lake.
Running a detour safely
- Detours often run on sidewalks and streets. Run facing traffic where there’s no sidewalk, and wear something bright at dawn and dusk.
- Re-measure your loop. A reroute can add or cut distance; if you’re doing a set workout, use your watch rather than old landmarks.
- Have a backup. Our running in Texas guide lists other sourced routes in every major city.
