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We were nearby, so we stopped by on a whim based on another Yelper's recommendation (thanks Shannon!) and we were not disappointed! As many mentioned, there's no parking per se and lots of signs saying "No Parking" but everyone parks in the pullover area anyways - and yes broken glass everywhere but sounds like they've been there for a while. The entrance to hike up was not immediately obvious as we initially went by the bridge at the edge of the cliff, but it's actually in the middle between the bridge and the street light. It was about a 5-10 minute hike, but very steep rocks on the left side or a dirt path mixed with rocks on the right. We went up the dirt path but came down the huge rocks and took our time, it can definitely be slippery if you don't have the right shoes, but it wasn't bad. A nice overlook without much effort and stunning views and beautiful photo ops! The city should just make it an official touristy spot and mark the pullover area as parking and add some signage for the hike entrance.
Yelp recommended this place to us after lunch, and I'm glad we followed their suggestion. The hike wasn't too hard as long as you know how to side step up rocks. There is no proper trail, but it's not undoable. The view is amazing for photos. We went here on a rainy day, so we did not have a lot of issues with other impossible hikers or any car issues. As mentioned, there were a couple of food vendors down below, which causes trash to be an issue throughout the trail. It needs to be cleaned up.
I love this bridge. It's my favorite bridge of all time. I always take my out of town guest here. The parking is limited. It's just along the side of the street. It's a dirt lot and there is broken glass, trash, beer cans, etc. the day I went, there was a truck that was broken into. Please be very careful of who is watching you and hide your valuables. The hike is steep, but it's short. And there are paths that are as little bit easier, but it's still steep, just not as rocky. But the view is amazing. You can see the city from the top, the river, a golf course, it's just stunning at sunset. Or any time of the day. People come at all hours. But I think sunset is the busiest. Well worth the hike and views
A must-do when you're in Austin and it's free!!! An amazing view of Lake Austin and the surrounding area. We came here right after enjoying a nice lunch at The Oasis at Lake Travis. Parking is located right off the N Capital of Texas Highway that eventually becomes the bridge. You will see all the cars parked off on the side of the road. Luckily, parking is far enough from the street so you feel comfortable walking around without fear of getting run over. There's a short hike on rocky steps to the top of the hill so it doable for most people as long as you wear comfortable shoes (or heels if you're brave enough). At the top, you get a breathtaking view of Lake Austin. There are no gates to stop people from falling off so please keep that in mind if you're with small kids or drunk friends. Overall, a definite recommend to enjoy a sunrise/sunset, to show off to your out of town friends, or if you're bored and have about 30 minutes to waste.
Whether you're a resident or a visitor, Penny Bridge has some amazing views from either side of the freeway. Trails take you to some beautiful views of Lady Bird lake. Sunsets are amazing too. Parking can be tricky but you should be able to find a spot right off the main road since folks are coming and going frequently.
When you see this bridge...you already know it's Austin. People come to take photos here all the time. There is a small parking area off 360. Just be careful and don't fall off the cliff once you get up there. It is a climb to get up to the top. Me being a shorty I even used my hands to help climb up. Once you get to the top you will definitely be happy you did the climb to snap a photo. It's just beautiful. My photo here was taken from the side. Go enjoy this spot and take an amazing photo.
First time here visiting the bridge and its pretty cool. You can get a cool picture from a nearby cliff, but you have to park on the side of the road and then hike about .2 miles up the side of it before you get to the outlook. Try to come near the day, because there was alot of broken glass in the parking area indicating there might be break ins. Overall a quick hike with a beautiful view, you can even see the Austin skyline way in the back ground.
What a cute place to overlook the city! More of a walk than a true hike to get up, but worth it for the worth's and beautiful view! We parked in the pullover area for the highway and took the quick trail (5-10 min to the top). Definitely a beautiful quick stop.
This was a nice little view spot while we were on the way to Hamilton pool. It's a nice little hike up to the viewpoint and the views were gorgeous. It is a little tricky to park as it's on the freeway. Going toward the bridge there is a small spot on the right to park your car. You'll find a trash can with signs that say do not park. We were only there for 20 minutes and nothing happened to our car. It's a nice little getaway to see a great viewpoint.
A good ol view of Austin from the top of the hill next to the bridge. Parking is on the side of the road as it is not an official trail or anything, but there is a walking path up the rocks that lead up to the spot where everyone takes pictures. Definitely not anything out of the ordinary but if you have not been up to the spot before, it is surely worth checking out. The walk up to the spot is a little steep, and it is not maintained by any means. That being said, there are almost always people there from my experience and if you are looking to take a picture or have one taken of you, there will definitely be someone there you can ask. The bridge itself is well designed and if anyone here has a problem with the bridge, go ahead and try to drive your car across Lake Austin without a bridge there. Yeah. Didn't think so.
One of the most iconic spots in Austin, definitely worth checking out. The sunrises are awesome from here and the bridge and view of the city is just so cool. Any time of day going here is worth checking out
This spot is very popular all the time, sometimes it could be hard to park your car, especially on weekends. People like to climb up to the point where you can take an overlook of the bridge and along the riverbank. But I strongly suggest you go deeper into the trail, it's more fun, even tho overall it's a short trail about 1.5h forth and back.
Such a beautiful view. Random find in Austin and totally worth the view/ drive. Definitely recommend you wearing tennis shoes and not sandals to climb up the mountain. It's not high but wore sandals and that wasn't a great idea. read more
9 years ago
The point is not drive through the bridge but to pull over to a teeny tiny parking lot of 7-8 spaces, climb up a mini-hiking trail right next to the parking, and take in a beautiful view of the top of the bridge. The mini-hiking trail was a little steep. I wouldn't recommend doing it in sandals but any type of sneakers will work just fine. It is really short. Once you get to the top, it is a beautiful, idyllic, scenic view of the calm-looking river and beautiful bridge. I recommend going and taking a bunch of photos! There was even a couple up there taking engagement photos and I'm not surprised -- it is a beautiful backdrop. I definitely preferred it over the view from Mount Bonnell. read more
It's a great view from a pretty quick, but steep, hike up near the end of the 360 Bridge. You can park along the highway in certain designated spots and take a good look across Austin. I'd just recommend avoiding the climb during the summer months and when the sun's beating down the most. read more
6 years ago
19 years ago
Everyone calls this the 360 Bridge or the Rusty Bridge but it was actually named in honor of Texas Department of Transportation engineer Percy V. Pennybacker Jr. Allen Park includes the boat ramp entry directly below the bridge on the south side and a grassy area for fishing and picnicking. I have climbed the cliffs on the north side of the bridge to look south, east and west to the amazing views. My favorite view of this bridge is the dynamic view when you walk to where the bridge meets the earth on the southeast corner. Amazing to see the construction techniques that were used. You will never look at this bridge the same way once you have seen these enormous connections. But whatever you do, do NOT climb it as you will get rust on your butt and spill your Taco C tortillas, queso, and salsa. read more
This unofficial overlook of the Pennybacker Bridge on Loop 360 is one of the most scenic spots in Austin. The pull-off for the trailhead is immediately after the Courtyard Drive intersection on the southbound side of Loop 360 on the north side of the bridge. The trail is undeveloped and very rocky, which could prove difficult to the very young or less mobile. There are no trashcans or facilities, so be sure to take out what you bring in (don't be a litterbug!). On a clear day, you should be able to see the tallest buildings in the Austin skyline off in the distance above the steel arch bridge that spans Lake Austin/Colorado River. read more
10 years ago
Easy two minutes hike, you can park right off the road, signs say"no parking on R.O.W." That means right of way, which means as long was your on the gravel(not the road) it's okay to park. Trail head is right next to the road where the parking it. Great view of bridge and of Austin skyline. read more
Just another one of the beautiful things in Austin. Great photos of the scenery and yourself! Park in the place where there are a bunch of cars and there are signs that say not to park there (lol...). A good 30 minute trip! read more
Another classic photo op in Austin. Wear proper shoes. The climb is steep, but its short. Take the path less traveled (if you can find it) for an easier climb up. You're more likely to spot it going down (the path on the left at the fork). Parking is on the north side of the Colorado River going southbound. It's right by the bridge after Courtyard Dr. There's room for about 10 cars. Mount Bonnell, yet another "instagramming Austin" thing to do, is also nearby (~10 minutes away) if you're in need of more photos in Austin. read more
10 years ago
This place is gorgeous and I think one of the iconic viewpoints in Austin. Admittedly, it's a bit of a drive, but definitely worth it. The only con is that there isn't really any designated parking and during peak times you may have to circle around a couple times before a spot opens up on the side of the road. Once you park, it's a pretty short hike up to the viewpoint, and I would say it's more scenic than Mt. Bonnell because you have the river and the bridge, as well as the bluffs on the other side of the road. read more
13 years ago
This bridge is an Austin icon. The notion of reviewing it is akin to some critic complaining about the Washington Monument being phallic or some such nonsense. I'll go over the obvious details, then some of the not-so-obvious ones so that this isn't so much a review as it is a visitor guide. The northside cliffs provide convenient and dramatic views of the bridge. Be careful of police ticketing your vehicle should you park something other than a bicycle at the bottom. More importantly, be careful of the edge. It exists and tempting as it may be to dance on it, just about every year someone disrespects the edge and suffers the consequences. Many people seem to be unaware that there is a boat ramp beneath this bridge. It's operated by Travis County, so if you have a season pass sticker, you'll scoot in without paying the daily usage fee. This is a nice access point for fishing because you don't have to burn a bunch of gas to get to either end of Lake Austin like you will if you put in at the Lake Austin Blvd. ramp. If you're gonna fish the spillway, though, that ramp is free and even more convenient. But then you have to put up with the obnoxious duck tours... Just west of this bridge lies a castle owned by the famous Lord British (aka Richard Garriott). At night, you can sometimes hear a French horn being trumpeted from his property by Shakespearean actors performing on his recreation of the Globe Theater. That soundtrack can assist in delivering an epic sunset viewing experience. Finally... If you are brave, you can dodge traffic and position yourself on the center median which is protected by guardrails. At night, you can take a photo with a long shutter exposure that will have car tail and headlights whizzing by on both sides with the bridge in the background. You will get best results having a light flash trip at the end of the exposure to capture the people in the foreground of whom you are shooting a portrait. If you don't know your camera stuff, practice the above techniques before getting onsite. read more
This is one of those iconic sites in Austin. I've been here on NYE, a Saturday morning, and any other random time in between. You will never be alone on this hike and let's face it, it's short lived. It does have a steep incline but the distance is short. There is no handicap accessibility, however, you can still enjoy a great view from the parking lot. Once you reach the top there is a gorgeous view of Lake Austin, Pennybacker bridge, and usually you can see downtown as long as there isn't a lot of smog. Everyone is taking turns of pictures on the edge and people are usually really patient but quick so that others can have their moment. There is a famous tree at the top that has recently been tagged with graffiti. *rolls eyes* You can take the trail further west through the trees and along the cliff edge. It is also short lived but you might have a better chance of finding a spot to be alone the farther you go down. If you're looking for a steep incline or that perfect picture, this is the place to do it! It's a must see in Austin but a good 20+ min from downtown. read more
We climbed up the cliff to get a great view of the pennybacker bridge and the Colorado River and it was beautiful! There is no barrier or railing so you climb at your own risk, but if you have good shoes and take your time you should be fine. read more
8 years ago
It's a short 5-10 minute hike up to a beautiful view. The rocks are sometimes slippery and it is pretty steep so wear shoes accordingly. I passed by people wearing flip flops and they were definitely struggling and slowing other people down. Don't be like them. Regardless, make sure you stop by here, it's worth the pictures. read more
Just a short walk up from the area where everyone parks is a beautiful view overlooking the bridge and of Lake Austin and downtown Austin! A free, quick attraction for people who have lived in Austin for years and never been or for people visiting town! read more
There are very few places I've been to in Austin with a view like Pennybacker Bridge. If you have sometime on your hand when you visit this hipster city, definitely pay this place a visit! So it's slightly confusing as to how a bridge is a tourist attraction... well let me help you understand. The bridge is sandwiched between two hills, and you can climb on either one for a really nice view of the bridge and river. The climb onto either hill is not bad, but definitely have climbing attire (like shorts or sporty shoes). I was stupid and wore my long khaki pants and sperry's, which made climbing really uncomfortable. Once you get to the top of the hills, you will get an eye full of a nice view and take some nice pictures with your pals. Other than that though, the bridge is like any other tourist attraction.. minus the shops. So really, there isn't that much to do at the bridge other than 1) climbing up 2) taking pics 3) leave. So don't plan an entire day for this visit. Another thing to be wary of is parking. There isn't any where to park your car... legally. There is a stretch of land/grass by the highway/bridge where people park (and where we parked), but that place has a couple "NO PARKING" signs very clearly labeled and doesn't have too many spots. But people park there anyways though. Ultimately, Pennybacker Bridge is a really nice experience, and for anyone who loves a good view, it is a place you shouldn't miss in Austin! read more
4 years ago
7 years ago
It's a short hike up. Try to wear closed shoes since it's a bit rocky. There are two paths, one on the lower point of the mountain and another on the top. Both are beautiful views! Definitely a must see in Austin! I can't wait to go back again! read more
8 years ago
Talk about a gorgeous view!!! The 360 Bridge is the best for photos, professional photos, scenery, engagements and hiking!!! They have two sides to hike on, the one where a lot of people go (go to that side) I learned the hard way we went the road less traveled and it was hard to get up we also didn't have on the right shoes and when we got up to the top we realized there was a way to get up and down in the woods without taking the rocks! But it just made our experience fun, it's so refreshing up there and you'll feel accomplished like you're on top of the world! Bring water as we!! It starts to get hot after climbing up all of those rocks! I would definitely come back and hike and I recommend going you won't regret it!! read more
I'm always looking for a great photo op. This spot did not disappoint. I snapped a bunch of pics with my iPhone because I didn't bring my DSLR on this trip. Still got some decent shots (IMHO). Parking to get up top maybe be a bitch. The little shoulder area was full, but luckily someone was pulling out as I arrived. Parking under the bridge is ample and I would miss taking photos from that vantage. The trail to get up top is short, but steep in some places. I tried to navigate the easiest path, but there were a couple spots where my bad knees did not appreciate the stress. read more
Gorgeous little place to sit and watch life zoom by. The water pleasantly flows by while you watch from above. You can park over by the New York life building or along the street where it says no parking if you are feeling bold and rebellious. There are two major vantage points. One on the north east side and northwest side of the bridge both require a tiny hike. Lovely place. Definitely visit if you like bridges and pretty views read more
7 years ago
9 years ago
Loved coming here and enjoying the beautiful view. There was quite a few people but they let us enjoy taking pictures. There was also someone playing music so we just sat for a while, relaxed, enjoyed the music and left after about 30 minutes. I would suggest stopping by. read more
10 years ago
It's not exactly the Golden Gate Bridge but it's one of those iconic landmark if you live in Austin. Probably if you drive through it every morning, it's hard to appreciate the landmark. (You are supposed to keep your eyes on the road). I wish we had more Pennybacker Bridges in Austin. read more
12 years ago
14 years ago
Oh yeah, a must visit, the view is amazing, the breeze wind is very comforting on a hot day. read more
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