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    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    4.7 (283 reviews)
    Open 5:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    Nancy G.

    The greenbelt is a beautiful Austin staple. There are different ways you can get to this location. I've been here many times, water levels can be higher for sure, sadly it hasn't rained as much, BUT hopefully with rain these past week, the levels have risen. It's such a nice spot to hangout and bring your furry friend, my dog absolutely loves the water. Many people bring their dog and have them off the leash so if your dog isn't accustomed to being around other dogs just keep an eye out for other dogs on the loose, they're usually friendly. It is a rocky area and if you decide to cross the water, careful because the rocks can be very slippery!

    Sculpture falls
    Alexis W.

    Plenty of parking. No paved areas. As expected, terrain can be a little uneven, slippery and muddy after rain. Overall pretty flat and shaded in most parts. We headed toward twin falls, sculpture falls and back and was less than 4 miles (without wrong turns). Unfortunately, the trail posts have graffiti and are illegible, so would suggest taking photo of map beforehand or using phone's gps. We saw people in the water near the little falls. Dogs are allowed, but saw many off leash.

    Nikki V.

    It's a true hiking trail in Austin, in the heart of the city. It's beautiful. This place can get crowded, especially in the weekends. The entrance from Mopac is a popular one, however a pro tip - DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING IN YOUR CAR. You car will definitely be broken into.

    Alan F.

    Nice trails. There was no water when I visited. Wrong time of the year for that. Referring to no creek, and no waterfalls. I was confused at first when I drove up because the parking lot was for residents in the neighboring apartment complex. Then I saw a car come from an unknown area. I drove to that location and saw a small dirt parking lot. Parking is free. There are not too many parking spaces, but enough. The trails are very nice, with a lot of trees giving off plenty of shade. There's an old wooden restroom at the entrance. It's a little scary because it's leaning. I made it out, so that's good. Definitely a nice place to visit.

    Dry as a bone

    Even though there was no water flowing at Twin Falls during our visit, the beautiful weather and peaceful surroundings made it worth the trip. What truly made it special were the memories I made with my daughters--laughing, exploring, and enjoying the moment together. They turned it into a five-star experience.

    the water in Jan
    Chris T.

    I'm a sucker for any place that maintains a nice park within city limits. Then there's Austin who takes it to a whole 'nother level with Barton Creek Greenbelt. It has miles of trails less than 15 min from downtown. If you're visiting, I highly recommend you take a couple hours for self-care and walk outside here. We visited in Feb, a pretty cold but sunny day. After exploring a lot of the city we were looking for some outdoor time and it did not disappoint. The water was emerald clear, tons of friendly dogs and a very level-easy trail good for any experience level. We chose the out-n-back segment from the southern trailhead to sculpture falls and we got to see a lot in a short span of time :)

    Joey W.

    We hiked to sculpture falls and it was so worth it! We didn't swim but it was just nice sitting by the water. I'd recommend bringing bug spray as we got a few mosquito bites. It's very popular so it can get crowded. There were a lot of broken glass in parking area so definitely do not leave anything valuable in the car.

    Christina H.

    Here's your complete guide to the Barton Creek Greenbelt. Ambitious nature-trail enthusiasts, beware, the greenbelt can be tiring (~13 miles), as this does not create a loop. If you park your vehicle at one trail head, you WILL have to hike back to reach your vehicle. There are multiple access points, with entirely different terrains to hike on. Here are a few of my favorite access points: Campbole's Hole West (1601 Spyglass Dr; street parking only), Trail's Head (2201 Barton Springs Rd, lot) & Gaines/Twin Falls (3918 S Mopac Expwy, lot). Here's why (respectively): Tacodeli, access to multiple Zilker amenities and access to "the falls". If you aren't a native Texan, don't expect much from "the falls" (Twin or Sculpture Falls). Unfortunately, these are not the waterfalls you see in the Pacific Northwest. Think instead, a bed of rocks and a stream of water (if it's rained). A few notes: expect lots of trees (yay shade) with some parts of sunshine, easy paths to follow, dog friendly trails (poop bags at most access points, leash required, fees may incur if caught without leash; $500 fine).

    Twin falls in December
    Rachel S.

    Don't expect a "creek" in December. Not even a trickle; just nice trails and rocks. When my sister and I visited, we only had the time to see twin falls which was only a quick nonstrenuous 10 minute walk or so from the parking lot. There were lots of cool rocks and shapes at twin falls but otherwise not much else to see or do besides walk around, so it only took us about 45 minutes for the round trip. There were many other groups and visitors at 11:30am when we went, so there were always conversations. Very little wildlife except some cardinals.

    Trail #2
    Jeff B.

    I hiked on this trail today. I thought it was excellent since there is plenty of trail to get a good hike. The trail itself is not too difficult to walk. Too bad there isn't a lot of water at the moment. It would have made the hike a little more enjoyable since the river beds were dry. There was many people out and the park even offers maps of the trails on the internet. There were bicyclists and on one part people were rick climbing. I thought that was pretty cool. So if you are looking for a new place to exercise or go for a leisure walk, stop by here and give it a try.

    Going down the Hill of Life - it's a lot harder coming up even though it doesn't look like it.
    Brent L.

    This review is for the section of the greenbelt that starts at the Hill of Life at 1710 Camp Craft Rd, Austin, TX 78746 and ends at South Mopac. It's a beautiful hiking trail that follows Barton Creek. Lots of side trails to meander and get lost on. It's not a loop, you walk in, then turn around and walk out when you get to the end. Most of the trail is easy, except for the last half mile on the return trip when you are going back up the Hill of Life. It's not grueling, or extremely rough, but you will get a little cardio in during this section. There isn't a parking lot, you park on the street in the neighborhood near the address I posted above. The trail dead ends at Mopac if you're on the east side of the creek. But if you can find one of the trails that crosses over to the west side of the creek, you can walk a lot further. Check Google Maps to find the trails that cross over. The water was flowing pretty good when I was there due to recent rains, so I couldn't cross over. There's very little signage on the trails, but it's easy to find your way. Very clean trails with hardly any trash at all. I only saw one plastic bottle and one bag of dog poop on the trail. I saw lots of dogs but not even one was on a leash.

    Sophia G.

    I love this place!!! It's so expansive. And there's a lot of different trails. We went here with my puppy and took a lot of great pictures. I'll admit we got very lost while inside on our hunt for Twin Falls. Because it started to get hot my husky was getting very tired and we went back. But we still got a great hike in and even better photos. It was a great walk. We did about an hour and thirty minutes in there. It's very dog friendly. I was amazed to see my puppy climb and jump down from things that I, myself thought was pretty scary. Very scenic and it's all free. Parking is also free. What's not to love about this place? A lot of other people walk their dogs here too so it was nice to see we weren't the only ones today. I would suggest to stay on the main trails. I ventured off into an open space and stepped right into the hugest web I ever saw! Never again. Still had a lot of fun as a family. Definitely loved my visit and might make this a monthly thing.

    Broken window
    Haley W.

    DO NOT COME HERE! It's been dry since 2013. And the place you park to get to the trail has glass everywhere from cars being broken into. Our car got broken into today and got a purse and wallet stolen. If I were you I would go somewhere else if you want to swim in Austin.

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    The creek has water only if there is lot of rain. The trail is hard to find although good for regular trail walkers.

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    Ask the Community - Barton Creek Greenbelt

    Is it safe for dogs to swim here?

    There are areas with lots of moving water like twin falls where anyone can swim, including your fur babies. Avoid standing pools that have algae.

    How much does it cost?

    No cost!

    Is this a stroller friendly park?

    This is not a stroller friendly park. Please see more information here https://austinot.com/austin-greenbelt-guide

    Do they close the trails when they are muddy, or do they keep them open?

    They will close the Greenbelt if water is dangerous. Like during heavy rains with flash floods and fast flowing waters. But for just being muddy I wouldn't think so but I'm not 100 % . Try searching for the parks info and get a number to call for… Read more

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Barton Creek Greenbelt

    My personal favorite spots are Sculpture Falls for swimming and the insane canyon-side trail at Trail's End (a.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Pease Park is one of Austin's most beautiful parks. Full stop! It has been thoughtfully designed…read moreand enjoyable green space to frequent. Stretching along Shoal Creek, the park offers a mix of shaded walking and biking trails, open lawns, and beautifully restored natural areas. It is hard to believe when you are in the park that you are in the heart of central Austin. The park is especially family friendly, with a large playground, splash pad, treehouse style observation area, and plenty of seating. While we were at the park a school was hosting a picnic for its students. The northern portion of the park is even more quiet and scenic, with winding trails, limestone bluffs, and creek views. It's a great area for dog walks, leisurely strolls, picnics, workouts, or just relaxing under the trees. The park is well maintained and welcoming to all ages. This park is very special.

    Such a gem of a park. Big, beautiful, and genuinely fun for all ages. The giant troll made from…read morenatural and recycled materials alone is worth the visit -- it's impressive and so unique. The stream nearby adds a peaceful touch, and the overall design of the park feels really intentional and creative. Kids will go crazy for the massive playground and all the interactive installations. The hanging net sphere is a must, you can lie inside and bounce around, and honestly the adults were just as into it as the little ones. There are also food vendors including ice cream, so you can easily spend a whole afternoon here. One of the most well-done parks I've been to. Highly recommend.

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    Treehouse view from below, the walk way to upper level is on the left side.

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(311 reviews)
    7.0 miSoutheast Austin

    When we first heard about McKinney Falls State Park we liked the photos and things to do there but…read morewere generally apprehensive about paying $6 just to go to a park and swim. However, after our time there we can confidently say it's one of the best ways you can spend a few bucks here in Austin. The park itself is in a bit more of a secluded area which is nice because you truly do feel away from things. As a heads up when paying at the entrance they only take card. If you're looking to use tap to pay or cash you have to go inside in order to make that payment. The visitors center is nice though with very helpful park rangers as well as merch, drinks, and maps for you to use. Once you drive to the upper falls parking it's just a short 5 minute walk over to the swimming hole. The walk is cool as you traverse over what looks and feels like moon rock. We chose the upper falls instead of the lower falls because we heard the water here is deeper and there are less kids around. It was definitely the right choice as the water was perfect for a hot day and parts of the swimming hole are definitely 10+ feet in depth. There are a lot of places around to set up blankets and there's multiple rock formations jutting out of the water in case you need a quick break once you're in the water. The coolest part of the swimming hole is the jump you can make off the rock ledge. It's about a 15-20 foot jump and people line up in order to get there. There's also some wildlife around the pool which is cool to see. As a note, they don't allow radios or drinking and everyone was pretty respectful of that. Whether you're a young group of friends looking for a nice swim getaway or a family looking for somewhere to unwind, McKinney State Falls is a great option to beat the heat. Just make sure to layer on some sunscreen.

    I've been here several times and have explored it fairly extensively. The family-friendly trails…read moreare varied enough to keep the day interesting and the time spent at McKinney Falls is never wasted. For those seeking a bit more of a challenge, crossing the river takes more thought to avoid getting your feet wet. I've usually found there are 2-3 paths at the river crossing, being careful not to slip on any rocks. The homestead beyond the crossing can be observed and appreciated, but it's off-limits to help preserve what's left. The backcountry trails total about 6 miles and it's usually just the right length for me to get a solid hike in. There is very little elevation change, though there can be a lot of mosquitos during the warmer months. I didn't find any benches to rest at and there is no water source to refill water bottles. Given that McKinney Falls is within Austin's city limits makes this state park a gem. There is also a large day-use area near the campgrounds with about 100 picnic tables and charcoal grills the last time I counted a few years ago. Parking is plenty and the rangers are friendly. Definitely either get there early or make online reservations to reserve a time slot to enter as the park can fill up fast over weekends or holidays. Their gift shop also has a variety of items for sale, and you can get a park passport stamp there too!

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    McKinney Falls State Park - EV charging

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    Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell

    4.4(518 reviews)
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    Mount Bonnell is one Austin's top tourist attractions. You climb about a hundred stone steps to…read morereach the top. You see folks coming down steps on the opposite side and your sense of what you might see at the top grows and grows. Alas, you reach the top. Was the climb worth it? Absolutely! When you reach the top, OMG the views are so spectacular! You cannot imagine how beautiful the views are until you actually see them. You see panoramic views of Lake Austin, multi-million residences on the lake and scenic view of Austin. One word...spectacular! We have been at Mt. Bonnell at sunrise and sunset and both views have something special to offer. Sunrise has peacefulness and light dances on Lake Austin. Sunset turns the overlook into connectiveness, where folks you met a few minutes ago or maybe not have met experience this quiet together as the sun retreats. While this location is quite popular, you still have vestiges of human life - graffiti on signage. Mount Bonnell has welcomed visitors since the 1800s and remains one of the city's oldest and most beloved natural landmarks. Austinites beam with pride regarding Mt. Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell is a local gem, a perfect date spot or somewhere to just enjoy the sunset. It's a…read moreshort walk up the stairs (maybe about 100 steps) from the parking to the pagoda-like terrace that overlooks some very scenic homes and has an excellent view of sunrise and sunset. I never actually did the full hike, only just went up to enjoy the scenery. It's less than 15 minutes from major Austin eateries and local spots, so it's a true gem within the city area as opposed to some hikes that are 30 minutes or an hour away. No bathrooms or garbage bins here is the one downside. Take your trash with you!

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    Mount Bonnell
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    Northwest District Park

    Northwest District Park

    4.3(21 reviews)
    8.3 miAllandale

    Northwest Park near Burnet Road is nicely placed into a residential area. The park covers a very…read morelarge green space. While a great deal of the park is open to the public, some parts of the parks grounds are under construction specifically the pool area (according to a construction worker on site, construction has been ongoing for a 1.5 years). The grounds appear to be well manicured. Large, shaded oak trees are the focal point of the park. The park's amenities are a standout. Northwest park features playgrounds, pickle ball, tennis courts, picnic tables, and a scenic pond. The park appears children friendly except for the portion under construction. There's also a walking path around the park and Shoal Creek running along the edge. Overall, Northwest Park is a versatile, green space where recreation, nature, and community converge.

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    Northwest District Park - Historical sign in front of the park's pool.

    Historical sign in front of the park's pool.

    Northwest District Park
    Northwest District Park

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    Barton Creek Greenbelt - parks - Updated May 2026

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