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Zilker Metropolitan Park

4.6 (287 reviews)
Open 5:00 am - 10:00 pm

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Zilker Park love
Christina H.

If you live in Austin and don't go to Zilker park on the regular, why are you here??? Zilker Park and Town Lake were the reasons why I moved to Austin! Austin screams nature, and nowhere embodies this better than Zilker Park. I'm always ready to go with the essentials: a picnic blanket, snacks, a good book, wine, and of course-- my pups. We love to soak up the sunshine and people and dog watch. Life is pretty darn good. Pro tip: Make sure to follow all parking signs, as the meter witches stay active on patrol

Andrew W.

It's a nice park in Austin where you can access there for free but the parking lot is not free so you have to be aware of it. Twas a very nice visit there as my wife and I got to walk around the river and sat under the tree You'll get to see the city of Austin as a nice background view and it's a great place to get together with family and friends! Picnic is a great idea tho! You can do volleyball as nets are everywhere. Come enjoy the park! Cheers

View of the lake from the walking/running trail
Marissa G.

My husband and I stopped at Zilker Park while on our E-bike ride. We found a tree to hang out under for the shade. It's a huge park that has an open field on one side with access to a walking/running trail. I noticed many people with their dogs, people playing volleyball, and kids kicking soccer balls with their families. Someone even set up a DJ Booth and was playing dance music. I've never seen that before while visiting Zilker but I didn't mind it as it created a fun atmosphere. On the other side of the street there is a playground. There is also access to Barton Springs Pool which is great in the summer. The parking situation is kind of tricky and most spots are taken on beautiful days. Overall it was an okay place to visit if you like the outdoors. We'll return in the future but next time I plan on bringing a blanket and a good book.

Swimming
Skip S.

Great Austin hangout with a great Austin vibe. Swimming is great and water is clear fed by a spring. All trees are old and beautiful. Park is monitored closely so it's clean and safe. Staff was friendly, engaging, and helpful. Put this on your checklist of things to do in Austin.

Michael C.

Lively and spacious. Wish there were benches to sit on. It's all just an open grass field. Great view of downtown skyline.

Ladybird lake sunset
Eric S.

Although there is construction up now. This area is preparing for the "Trail of Lights." Great location, ample parking, fairly safe and clean. We launched off here to the water.

Sunset over downtown
Stephanie W.

I used to come to Zilker Park all the time as a kid. The playground was always really fun, and on some days they have a little train that takes kids around the park (it's called the Zilker Zephyr). A lot of people like to swim in Barton Springs pool as well, but I don't like how cold the water is personally (can be nice in summer tho). There's also a big field on the opposite side of the street from playground that is really nice, and a lot of people like to go there to hang out with their families, have picnics, bring their dogs, and just relax in general. I came on a Monday night in September, when the weather was perfect, so we had a really lovely walk around the periphery of the park, which is largely shaded, then we sat down on the field and watch the sunset over downtown in the east which was gorgeous. Only reason I took off any stars at all is that they now charge for parking here on weekdays before six and I think on Saturday (but Sunday or after 6p is free). It never used to be that way, and honestly it just makes me feel petty at the direction of how much public parking has begun to cost in the last 10 years around Austin whereas in the past nearly all areas in and around Zilker were free. Hopefully that cost is to support maintenance though, but that playground is definitely the same as it was 20-25 years ago when I started going to it. But overall - Zilker is a wonderful park, and if you just want some outdoor time around Austin without a full hike, this place is an excellent spot to get some!

Circa 1979; that's me in the red shirt crying. The train horn scared me.
Lauren R.

My review is specifically about the Zilker Train, which is an iconic and nostalgic Austin must-do. I grew up in Austin and we rode the "Zilker Zephyr" every time we came to the park. They shut down the train about 5 years ago because it was desperately in need of some upgrades. It's now called the "Zilker Eagle", and thanks to funding from Capitol Metro it is spiffied up and ready to ride! A few things to note: --Very few bathrooms in the area and the bathhouse for the pool is currently under construction. Just be aware with little kids to do a proactive trip to the potty before waiting in line for the train. --If there is any lightning or rain in the area the train will not be running, for obvious reasons. We had already purchased our tickets and they honored them the next day when we came back. --If you have noise sensitive kids, be aware that the train whistle can be a bit loud and startling. Noise-cancelling headphones may help (see picture of me crying in 1979....) ALL ABOARD!! Enjoy the ride. :)

Lisa K ..

Absolutely LOVED our time spent here! Filled with happy families enjoying time together! Run, bike, scooter, and lounging spot! Make sure you wear comfortable walking shoes... you will be walking everywhere, even in places you didn't know you'll go!! We walked from the Nature Science Center to the Springs Pool which was closed Labor Day weekend! This led us to keep walking to do kayaking on the lake! Wowzers it was SUPER crowded!!! The 3 guys who came to work on Labor Day weekend worked super hard and even had exceptional customer service with a cheerful attitude! They did a great job controlling the crowd waiting in the long lines for kayaks. Shout out to DANE & the other brown haired guy who helped us on to the kayaks! They deserve a raise for working under short staffed! Don't practice your kayak skills in crowds! It will not end well! People were very nice and polite... lots of bridge jumpers and guys flipping into water! Great and fun crowd this weekend! It was our first time visiting! Would definitely go back!

Stephanie J.

This park is amazing. It's huge and the views are beautiful. You can do so much here like play all kinds of sports, ride a bike, fly a kite, kayak and more. My friend and I chose to go on a 3 mile walk. Visiting Zilker Park is a must visit if you are in Austin.

Music festival
Tiffany R.

I recently attend ACL here and loved the set up. The work is clean and very spacious. I'd love to come back and enjoy it more but it was a perfect venue for the concert

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An oasis in the always bustling downtown Austin. Worthy of a visit even if you're only around a couple nights.

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9 months ago

Employees are so rude. Machines didn't work to pay for entry, app didn't work, website didn't work, cash only,

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Zilker Metropolitan Park Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Zilker Metropolitan Park

Can we drive from one attraction to another instead of walking because we are with toddlers?

Zilker is, indeed, massive to navigate with toddlers! One possibility might be to plan which areas you'd enjoy visiting, then find nearby parking locations online. I've used… Read more

Are there picnic tables? Which part of the park are they located?

Yes there are. They are located literally around the park. Can't recall if the ones within Zilker have bbq pits, but the ones across the street from Zilker do.

Can u fish here?

No, there is no fishing allowed on Lady Bird Lake. I believe you can fish down stream past the dam.

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Review Highlights - Zilker Metropolitan Park

Zilker Park is one of those places you have to visit at least once if you live in the Austin area.

Mentioned in 60 reviews

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Pease Park - Check out this spot.

Pease Park

4.7(121 reviews)
1.5 miOld Enfield, Downtown

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.

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

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

Pease Park - Observation globe top view

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Observation globe top view

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Barton Creek Greenbelt

4.7(283 reviews)
2.9 mi

Oh how I love walking the Greenbelt! It feels like you can go for miles and miles. Well, you can as…read moreit's for nearly 12 miles of trails. Our little furry guy loves a jaunt on the trail in his stroller, especially if that means stopping off for a swim along the way. Can't beat cooling off in natural watering holes during a hot summer in Austin. The Barton Hills entrance gets you to Campbell's Hole while 360 gets you to Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls. I say do it all. Maybe not in one day...save something for the next time. Definitely a precious piece of Austin that we're so lucky to have.

Loved hiking here for the first time! We first parked at the 360 trailhead and were freaked out by…read moreall the broken glass and signs saying that it's a common smash and grab area. There were broken windows literally everywhere. The car was completely empty and we parked and started to enter, then decided to turn around because it just didn't feel right. We drove down to the other entrance on Spyglass near TacoDeli and felt much better. Residential area with street parking - perfect. We got on the trail and turned left which brought us to the new Violet Crown trailhead. We figured out how it connected to Barton Springs Pool. This was only 3 miles round trip. Next time we will go right past the falls. I am not sure there are even falls right now since it hasn't rained in a long time. The trail is easily marked and there were lots of people out. Can't wait to do more exploring soon!

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Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt

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McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

McKinney Falls State Park

4.0(311 reviews)
6.3 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

EV charging

McKinney Falls State Park

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Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

Mount Bonnell

4.4(518 reviews)
3.8 mi

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
Mount Bonnell
Mount Bonnell

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Northwest District Park

Northwest District Park

4.3(21 reviews)
6.0 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.

I thought I would update my review from three years prior because of the new changes taking place…read more The entire area surrounding the pool has been completely fenced off due to construction. The entire parking lot to the pool has also been closed down. You can still park on the side of the pool or all the way behind it. Considering how big this project is, I think it's safe to assume that it's going to be closed for the entire summer of 2025. The rest of the park is still available for use, although all the property next to the pool is fenced off. So you may wish to skip this as your pool choice this year and try again next year.

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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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Zilker Metropolitan Park - parks - Updated May 2026

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