Austin is known for all the beautiful outdoor activities you can do here! We have tons of hiking trails, and places to swim, kayak, and paddleboard. You can be minutes from downtown and enjoy the peace of being outdoors.
Barton Springs Pool
- Natural spring-fed water.
- It’s COLD! 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit (20-21 degrees Celsius).
- Federally protected habitat, which is home to the Barton Springs Salamander.
- Hours: Guarded Swim from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. every day except Thursday.
- Price: $5 entry.
- Visit the park page to learn which items are prohibited.
- Visit the Barton Springs webpage for more info.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
- We just call it “the Greenbelt.”
- 12.68 miles of gorgeous trails.
- Located just a few minutes south of downtown!
- Considered one of the top hiking trails in Texas.
- Great for hiking, mountain biking, several swimming holes (when there’s water), and even rock climbing on the limestone bluffs!
- Honestly, it can be a little confusing to find the access points. Click this link for a guide.
Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake
- Austinites often call the river-like water bisecting Austin either Town Lake or Lady Bird Lake, but it’s actually a reservoir of the Colorado River!
- 10+ miles (over 16 kilometers) of trail that meanders along the water’s edge.
- You’ll pass by skyscrapers, neighborhoods, ball fields, and cultural attractions.
- There’s even a Boardwalk portion of the Trail!
- Read more and find maps of the trail online here.
Kayaking & Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) on Lady Bird Lake
- These are two of the MOST popular activities to do on Lady Bird Lake in Austin.
- You sit down to kayak, and it can be fun and fast!
- You stand up to paddleboard, and it can be a fun way to work out your abs!
- There are several places to purchase rentals along the Hike-and-Bike Trail, check out these two popular locations: the Texas Rowing Center and the Rowing Dock.
- Price: $15 – $30 per hour or $35 – $65 for the day.
The Violet Crown Trail
- Take a hike on a tree-lined trail in south Austin!
- The trail is now 13 miles long (almost 21 km), running from Zilker Park to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
- Download a trailhead map online here.
Great Hills Park
- Great Hills Park is a City of Austin neighborhood park in a beautiful hill country setting, tucked away in northwest Austin. More than 80 acres in size, the park includes a large natural area with hiking trails, and a playscape.
- Park Hours: 5:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Location: 10801 Sierra Oaks, Austin, TX 78759
- 85 Acres in the Bull Creek Watershed
- Trail Lengths: 1.7 miles (almost 3 km) of maintained trails and many more rough trails – see the Great Hills trail map.
- Read about Great Hills park on their blog
Zilker Botanical Garden
- Zilker Botanical Garden is nestled within Zilker Metropolitan Park in the heart of downtown Austin. Their themed gardens (Taniguchi Japanese Garden, Hartman Prehistoric Garden, and Rose Garden) are interconnected with pathways for all ages and abilities. With heritage live oaks, streams, and Koi-filled ponds, the Garden offers a peaceful respite in the middle of a busy city.
- Garden Hours: 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
- Price: Adults $8
- Register online to save $2 on the general admission price
- Tickets must be purchased in advance.
- Location: 2220 Barton Springs Rd.
- Map: View the Garden Map
- ADA access is limited.
- Visit the Zilker Botanical Garden website for more info.
The Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
- In 1985, Charles and Angie Umlauf gifted their home, his studio, and hundreds of sculptures to the City of Austin. Today, the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum’s Collection consists of over 2000 drawings and 273 sculptures by Charles Umlauf, 59 of which are continuously on view in the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.
- Museum & Garden Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday – Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Saturday – Sunday: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
- Location: 605 Azie Morton Rd.
- Price: Students (with valid student ID) $3
- In Texas, there are more Umlauf sculptures in public locations than works by any other single sculptor!
- Umlauf became a Life Drawing and Sculpture professor in UT Austin’s art department in 1941. He taught at UT for 40 years, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1981.
- You can spot an Umlauf sculpture on the UT Austin campus in front of the GSB building next to CBA!
- Visit the Umlauf Sculpture Garden website for more info.
This blog post was contributed by Jack Taylor, administrative associate of global engagement at the Texas Global English Language Center.
Austin has many outdoor activities. I discover the west side of it, and I really enjoy it.
Thank you for sharing Jack!
Thank you, Meshal. I’m so glad you enjoy the outdoor activities Austin has.
Thank you for good information
You’re welcome. Thank you for reading!