July 26 2007 Austin renamed Town Lake Lady Bird Lake. This was to honor the former first lady , Lady Bird Johnson who had just passed away at 94. Nothing against Lady Bird but, I liked the name Town Lake. Stretching out in front of downtown Austin. It's has always been a great place. Not that long ago,no one was there much. On the banks or in the water. Now that Austin has been developed into a major city,Lady Bird Lake is activity central for a significant segment of the population. The ringing trails on both sides facilitate runners,walkers,fresh air seekers at all hours of the day and night. Likewise the flowing water of the Colorado river which feeds the " lake" holds boaters of all types. So forgive me if in my next review of the Austin area I mispeak by calling it Town Lake,but I have my entire life. read more

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Met friends at Town Lake also called Lady Bird Lake for the Links Family Health Expo & Walk for Healthy Living, an uplifting community event promoting wellness. The walk motivated people of all ages to stay active, highlighting the health benefits of simple actions like walking. The expo provided valuable resources from health professionals and focused on family and community well-being. The Links, Incorporated showed strong leadership, addressing health disparities and fostering long-term wellness through education and collaboration. The event was well organized, inspiring attendees to prioritize their health beyond the day. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

It is so nice to see the completion of the Wishbone Bridge. So now it will be a smooth transition, with no interruptions, as you walk the whole trail. I have been walking this trail for a long time and have really enjoyed the views and the many stops along the way. I first started coming with my furbaby. I brought my mom here over the years, and she loved it too. Let's say I have many memories here. But do you know that you can easily exit the trail at so many different spots? I think some people think you have to walk the whole ten miles. Well, let's end that myth! Also, you can start at any point you like, too. I have also started the trail on both sides of the I-35. Also, if you hear someone say "Town Lake," they are speaking of this trail. Another favorite thing about this trail is stopping at the different exits to grab a bite to eat, shop downtown, and hop back on the trail. There's so much to do on this walk, but all in all, this is the most beautiful trail to exercise or take a scenic stroll! read more

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There is not much to say here that has not already been said, but today marked my first time visiting Lady Bird Lake and running the full 10 mile loop/the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. It is a beautiful lake, and there is so much constant foot traffic that it feels alive. There are certain areas under construction throughout the trail with detours that can make the trail a little confusing, but with enough faith, anything is possible. If there is good attendance on the trail, it is easy to follow the people in front of you as well. The lanes are fairly wide through most of the trail, making it easy to pass others without getting in the way of people running in the opposite direction. I will be back in the future for more long runs because it stays interesting and fresh for the entire 10 miles. There are some inclines to be aware of on the northeastern side of the trail, though it is mostly flat throughout. There are also plenty of entrances connecting parks and nearby areas to the trail, which makes it easy to get on and get off. RIYL: Long trails with a gorgeous view read more

Lady Bird Lake - i mean, there it is - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

An Austin native recommended this trail and you can run the entire thing in a few hours. It's roughly about 12-13 miles around the waterfront. I started off at 4:30am and found parking on the lot and it was pretty dark but it was at 66F. Super warm and knew it will be a hot run. Make sure to bring bug spray and sun screen. It was a nice run and beautiful scenery especially the city board walk. Will run here again read more

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I don't get down here often, but when I do I have a... just kidding. I like walking in different places and this is another beautiful trail along the river, aka Lady Bird Lake. It was brisk out this morning but worth chill. My body thanks me and if you get a chance to be in the vicinity, hopefully your body will as well. read more

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Lady Bird lake runs through the city of Austin and offers many water activities, such as kayaking, paddle boarding, small motor boats and more. You can bring your own boards or rent one at one of the small shops along the boardwalk trail. The views of lush green trees and downtown Austin, while walking along the lake trail offer a unique perspective of the city. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

Nice pocket of the outdoors right in the city center. Go for a walk in the trees, run, bike ride, or kayak. Great views of the skyline too. Tons of birds, turtles, and of course bats make their homes. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Birds and buildings! - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

Love afternoon walks around Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. Beautiful this time of year with cool weather and views of the water. Can get a little crowded on weekends, but tends to have high and low points throughout the path. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Trail - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

10 mile hiking trail with beautiful scenery, benches, bats, lots of greenery. Walked the trail in its entirety and it was so worth it. You can also bike although it is not permitted on the bridge read more

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I love coming to LBL, it's such a great place to walk around, bring kids if you have them (ie butler park - so much fun!), and even just bring a towel or blanket and read. There are plenty of trees to shelter under, and a nice long trail which is perf for a date I might add (been on two first dates there in the last month). I also love that it's adjacent to Zilker and downtown if you wanted to spend some time there too, plus at the lake. One of my fav places to get a drink is also right by one of the LBL trail entrances, which is Nido (it's inside of the Loren Hotel which is a local hotel). Only thing i would note about LBL is there aren't too many bathrooms; when I was walking with my date and had to go we ended up dipping into Cidercade along the trail to use their bathroom, and I needed a tissue because of allergies and we didn't find a place until we were in the East Austin part of the trail. Nevertheless, it's a great walk! Def rec a visit to LBL if you need to take your mind off things, or just want some exercise, or to entertain your kids, or to get food at some great places nearby, etc etc! read more

Lady Bird Lake - One of the large field areas facing downtown, at the corner of Barton springs road and 1st st - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

As a woman who's loves parks for a few years now, Lady bird lake is one my absolute favorite spots in the city. Fantastic views! My and the husband loved getting in some exercise before our special night here in austin. If you're in Austin, go. You won't regret it. read more

I love visiting Boardwalk on the lake, especially in the cooler months! The foliage is gorgeous and I love that there are so many trees shading the path. Highly recommend! read more

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Such a beautiful part of Austin. Perfect for walking, relaxing, and enjoying nature. Year-round beauty. read more

My wife and I wanted to change things up so we went down to Lady Bird Lake to walk the trail and get some different scenery! So much fun. Lots of people on the trail walking and running! The water had lots of kayakers. We highly recommend going down there! read more

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Lady Bird Lake is my favourite place to run. The entire trail is a 10-mile loop, which is perfect for distance training. Whenever someone visits Austin, taking them to kayak or paddleboard on the lake is a must do. A stroll along the trail is also nice. The view of downtown with the blue water is so pretty. read more

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Part of why Austin is one of my favorite cities is having this beautiful parcel of nature here. Gorgeous views of the water and it's surroundings. I enjoy bringing my bike here and riding alongside the water. Hard to really give this anything less than 5 stars. Get here and see it for yourself! read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

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By far one of the best attractions Austin has to offer. Don't believe me? Come here on a nice day. Come here on a not so nice day. Doesn't matter. The volume and mix of people says it all. And the cool thing is that if you are staying anywhere downtown, it is within almost immediate walking distance. I try to come here every time I'm in town. It's never out of the way and always a most enjoyable experience! read more

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Beautiful lake! Great for a stroll, run, social gatherings and pathways to get from one to the other end of the city limits. It's a nice nature refreshing spot when one wants to take a break from other things clogging the mind. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

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This review is based on having an almost 89 year old woman in a wheel chair with us. Parking is either non existent or you have to walk across the bridge to park. The walking/ jogging/running trail was disappointing. Getting to the trail in a wheelchair you had to go on a dirt path not made for a wheelchair with the amount of large rocks litter with cracked areas in the dirt. The walking path along the trail had areas smooth with areas with bricks that were not smooth to areas with dirt or gravel. This alone was hard on my mother when pushing her. She is not keen on a bumpy ride. This is different from having a baby or a child in a jogger or stroller as you are pushing someone probably under 30 pounds. My mother is around 110 pounds. The lake itself was pretty unless you look closer. Water was dirty along the sides littered with trash. People can go boating, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding. Areas where you can rent. The Austin skyline in the back ground was pretty. Rating for a handicap person is a 2 while for us without a disability was a 4. I wish they get an organization to volunteer cleaning the trash littered in the lake. read more

Revisited for the first time in quite a while about a year ago before we moved from the area. It does not feel as safe as it used to and it's not clean anymore. There was trash everywhere and several homeless people living around it, everywhere we went. It also stinks now. I'm not sure I would recommend it anymore but the lake itself is still pretty and if you're walking in a group or with self defense, you may still be able to enjoy it. read more

I came here in Earth Day and it was a perfect place to feel close with Mother Nature without leaving the city behind. The lake was full of people kayaking which is really neat to watch, The park was full of people picnicking and listening to an outdoor concert. Lots of bike riders and tour guides running around and it's a great place to run, walk, jog for an outdoor workout as well as a beautiful park to bring kids and spend family time. There is even a really pretty gazebo which could be great for different events. read more

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Ladybird Lake sits right in downtown Austin and is always filled with people doing outdoor activities. You will find plenty of trails to ride your bike or run and also plenty of paddle boards to rent on the lake. It is a very beautiful place and of the best places to visit while you are in Austin. read more

Came from out of state. We had so much fun kayaking! Amazing views and great service. Highly recommend! read more

Lady Bird Lake - View - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

If you are in Austin and you just want to have a calm moment away from Rainey St and 6th St and all the bars, come here. Lady Bird Lake has great scenery and has a great running/walking trail that is really popular among locals. Great for a quick cardio session and for photos. read more

Lady Bird Lake to newer transfers, Town Lake to original Austinites, and the Colorado River to out-of-towners looking at a map. No matter what you call it, this lake/river runs through Austin and is the epitome of what Austin is about. Whenever I have guests come in, I always have to take them here to kayak/paddle board on a beautiful Austin day. There are several rental companies you can choose from if you don't have a kayak/paddle board of your own. Views: Expect nature mixed with running trails, intertwined with the hustle and bustle of downtown, freeways, automobiles, and don't forget-- bridges & bats! NOTE: You can NOT swim/dive in the Lady Bird Lake. Reason being the lake is deep and has debris from previous dams in the water. There have been drowning incidents as well. read more

Lady Bird Lake - My sweet boy loving this water! - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Lake itself is not so clean but how it's managed to create a bike/trail path is what makes this place great. Lot of trees all around and even has a boardwalk for jogging walking. Picturous place with tons of views. Austin is beautiful because of their lakes and parks. We got some incredible pics here. It's spanning across a great area and obviously covering full is impossible. So chose a spot with a great opportunities and you won't regret visiting here. read more

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I actually walked the trail alongside Lady Bird Lake during my visit to Austin, Texas. I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to explore the surroundings not only near the river...but among the heart of downtown Austin. I randomly found a parking spot beside the walking trail. I parked near the Texas Rowing Center where for a Saturday morning, they were busy renting out paddles and boats to locals and visitors. It was incredible how many folks rented a boat and or got out on the water! Granted I did visit Austin in September and it was really hot out. So...being next to Lady Bird Lake was certainly a refreshing way to spend time over the weekend. Continuing along the dirt path...there were plenty of couples, families and hikers strolling along the way. It felt like it's a ritual or I'd say more of a routine to get outside here if you're a citizen of Austin. I mean...I really found this city picturesque and interesting with a vibe being among plenty of young people. So...who wouldn't want to walk around town!? Along my walk beside to lady Bird Lake...there were bridges connecting downtown Austin to the rest of the city. I found Austin's city skyline to be very photogenic from multiple bridges. This was my first time exploring around Austin...and I never imagined that the skyline would be so memorable. I definitely stopped on a few of the bridges to soak in the views. Especially from Congress Avenue Bridge...Austin's skyline was quite scenic and I had to stop for a few pictures. From the Texas Rowing area where I had parked walking along the path to Congress Avenue Bridge...it was about 2 miles in length. At that point in time I turned around and headed back to my car. But I very much appreciated this pathway. If I lived in Austin, I'd be happy to walk this trail regularly. And...I was still impressed with how busy Lady Bird Lake appeared with people kayaking, paddle boarding, etc... One more thing also...along the trail there spots and benches to just sit down on and relax with no worries...even to people watch and enjoy being outdoors. If I lived in Austin, Texas I'd absolutely recommend to visitors to walk this pathway near Lady Bird Lake for a real feel/true sense of what downtown Austin, Texas is all about. read more

Well maintained trail with scenic views. 10mile long, good for runners and walking. Pretty busy on weekends, recommend to go earlier in the morning for quieter experience read more

It is a gorgeous place for a stroll, I love going any day in the afternoon or well at anytime! Theres's a loop around the lake and also dog areas (please keep your dogs on a leash) there's designated areas where your pet can be free. read more

I went paddle boarding on this beautiful lake. How amazing this lake is! And such a great stretch of an area to go kayaking or paddleboarding. Make sure you take all of your belongings with you and do not have anything showing in your car. There are A LOT. Of break-ins here!!! And they will also smash your window!! I took a small water proof enclosed bag that I could hang around my neck. It can hold your phone and cards if you need to. I repeat.. DO NOT leave anything important in your car. They will break in and take it! Especially if its visible. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

Water fun in the city. Let's get the bad out of the way.... There's A LOT of hydrilla growing! Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive plant, almost like seaweed, but thicker. It grows quickly in shallow, warm waters where there is fertilizer run off. (I am not a botanist, but this is my lay understanding of why we have a problem). Avoid this stuff, especially if you are a poor swimmer. It's easy to get tangled in. The second issue here is just generally poor water quality...BUT WAIT. I'm here to tell you how to best enjoy this lake. Go around the hydrilla, down toward Barton Springs. The water spilling out the end of Barton Springs is fresh, spring water, cold, and clear. Lots of super, chill, cool people hang out here with their dogs. I could sit for hours with a cold drink, body half in the water on a big, flat stone watching the dogs frolic. (Tops are optional in Austin, so know that your kids may see more than you'd like). I highly recommend renting a SUP or kayak from my favorite place, the Texas Rowing Center. Their dock is big, and it's quick access to my other favorite place on the lake- go to the west side of the MoPac Bridge. It's quiet, and the water quality is good. I also recommend chilling in the shade of the trees along the banks. On the weekends, there is a huge gathering of SUPers if you'd like to participate in a floating party. My preference is to go either early mornings or late afternoons during the week. I only took up SUPing (Standup paddleboarding) during the pandemic, and I love it. Try it before you buy it, and I bet you'll be a regular on the lake like I am. read more

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You can go paddle boarding or kayaking at this lake. This is a must when you visit Austin. It's nice to be in water when it's a hot day. My friend and I did a double kayak for $20/hour. Super cheap!! They do not have lockers so don't being anything valuable or something you want wet. They do have cubbies for shoes/clothes. They also sell water and rent water proof baggies. No bathroom just porter potties. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Wow so beautiful and so much to do. We arrived in January and it was about 40 degrees. Not to Many people were out on the lake, just a few school paddler boats with their coaches, and a few single kayaks. But as we talked to the locals, they say that the lake can be filled with hundreds and hundreds of people. There's a trail that goes around the lake, it's about 12 miles. Perfect for biking or walking. A lot of hotels have bags for your dogs poop, which came in handy. Morning or night time it's a beautiful site. read more

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absolute must visit. beautiful place for paddleboarding kayaking etc. has miles of path along it too. read more

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Town Lake (aka Lady Bird Lake) is quite honestly my favorite place in Austin due it's size and the variety of things that can be done on and around it. Be it paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing or rowing on the river, walking various short loops on the trails around the lake, picnicking at a serene spot with a view, listening to live music on the bridge as you watch the sunset or just generally people watching. I've lived in Austin for 7 years now and there are only a fees months where I haven't been there at least once each week. The part of the trail that loops around Mopac and S Lamar is my favorite because it takes me 40-50 mins to complete, depending on my speed and I usually park for free under the bridge by Mopac either south of the river (off Barton Springs Road) or North of the river (off Caesar Chavez). Another option is to park at Whole Foods for a longer walk the go in for food/a drink afterwards. You get so many different views of the city and of nature depending on where you are on the river or trail and it just never gets old! read more

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I'm always in awe of peaceful spots like Lady Bird Lake that exist in the heart of the city yet feel like they're miles away from civilization. Ah, the best of both worlds. Lady Bird Lake offers locals and visitors soft trails, what appears to be a safe green space, dock for sunning, water for rowing, artistic landmarks and flowers. I recommend packing a picnic or bringing a book for your visit. There are several benches with shade trees along the trail to make this an enjoyable experience. Lady Bird Lake is just a stone's throw away from downtown Austin. read more

Lady Bird Lake - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas

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We were rerouted twice so never found the walking path trail head, although we know it was there. A bit confusing to find.

I'm not from Austin so I am still confused how this is a lake and not a river, but regardless, I am a fan! Here's why: 1) Kayaking: There are several spots to rent kayaks and explore the "lake," including seeing the famous bats at South Congress bridge. You can also paddle board too. 2) Trail: There's an amazing trail for running and biking. If it's sunny, there's no better trail in America. read more

For kayaking, I loved bringing visiting friends here to kayak and in my picture, you'll see it's a great meeting spot for fundraisers too. For paddle boarding, a few friends of mine paddle boarded here pretty often and loved it. To note, you don't have to rent boards or even kayaks if you don't want to... Consider purchasing a used paddle board since people are often moving to and from Austin - if you can see yourself using it a handful of times, you pretty much got your money's worth for it. This lake goes on for a bit and is heavily frequented for both townspeople and tourists so plan the hot days accordingly! read more

Lady Bird Lake - Austin Pets Alive - Sunrise Kayaking Fundraiser - Hiking Near Me - Austin, Texas