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Outdoors Barton Hills, Zilker Park & Barton Springs

Barton Creek Greenbelt

An outdoor spot in Barton Hills, Zilker Park & Barton Springs, free to visit and worth about 2 hours. Best time to go: Afternoon.

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Why go

A 7-mile limestone canyon trail along Barton Creek running west from Zilker Park, with swimming holes after rain.

It is one of 6 curated places we feature in Zilker Park & Barton Springs, alongside 3 outdoor spots, 1 place to eat and 1 sight. The closest of our other picks is Broken Spoke, 1.5 mi away as the crow flies.

Type
Outdoors · Nature
Neighborhood
Barton Hills
Price
Free
Time needed
2 hr
Best time
Afternoon

Nearby

Our closest curated picks, including 2 beyond Zilker Park & Barton Springs. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.

  1. 1
    Broken Spoke

    Classic honky-tonk dance hall with two-step lessons and chicken-fried steak.

    Drinks · Austin · 1.5 mi straight-line
  2. 2
    Zilker Park

    Austin's 350-acre central park on the lake, with a great lawn, skyline views, a miniature train and the springs at its edge.

    Outdoors · 2.4 mi straight-line
  3. 3
    Barton Springs Pool

    Spring-fed pool that stays near 68°F year-round in Zilker Park.

    Outdoors · Austin · 2.7 mi straight-line
  4. 4
    Barton Springs Pool

    A three-acre pool fed by springs at about 68 F all year; on Jan 1 it hosts the Polar Bear Splash, a free group jump.

    Outdoors · 2.7 mi straight-line
  5. 5
    Zilker Botanical Garden

    Themed gardens on a hillside above Barton Creek, including a Japanese garden with koi ponds and a rose garden.

    Outdoors · 2.9 mi straight-line
  6. 6
    Umlauf Sculpture Garden

    Bronze and stone sculptures by Charles Umlauf set among ponds and trees across the road from Zilker Park.

    Sight · 2.9 mi straight-line

On these curated routes

Barton Creek Greenbelt is a stop on our Austin New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.

More to do in Zilker Park & Barton Springs

Barton Creek Greenbelt is our only outdoors pick in Zilker Park & Barton Springs; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Zilker Park & Barton Springs guide.

When to go: weather by month, based on Austin

Our climate figures for Zilker Park & Barton Springs come from nearby Austin. Average daily highs in Austin run from 60°F in January to 98°F in August; May is usually the wettest month. For Barton Creek Greenbelt itself, we suggest: Afternoon.

Modelled monthly averages for Austin from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Austin weather by month (covers Zilker Park & Barton Springs).

Getting there

Map links open a live search for Barton Creek Greenbelt, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.

Coordinates
30.24390, -97.80970
Destination
Zilker Park & Barton Springs, Texas

Barton Creek Greenbelt: quick answers

How much time do you need at Barton Creek Greenbelt?

Plan on about 2 hours at Barton Creek Greenbelt. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.

When is the best time to visit Barton Creek Greenbelt?

Our pick: Afternoon. Insider tip: Start from the Zilker end near the pool for an easy out-and-back.

Is Barton Creek Greenbelt free?

Yes, we list Barton Creek Greenbelt as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.

Which TripsCircle routes include Barton Creek Greenbelt?

Barton Creek Greenbelt appears on Austin New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.

Add Barton Creek Greenbelt to your crew's plan

Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Zilker Park & Barton Springs.

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Lists & regions

Also in Zilker Park & Barton Springs

Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.