Outdoors Zilker Park & Barton Springs
Zilker Park
An outdoor spot in Zilker Park & Barton Springs, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Morning.
Why go
Austin's 350-acre central park on the lake, with a great lawn, skyline views, a miniature train and the springs at its edge.
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. 3 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Barton Springs Pool and Barton Springs Pool.
- Type
- Outdoors · Nature
- Neighborhood
- Zilker
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Morning
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Zilker Park & Barton Springs. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Barton Springs Pool
Spring-fed pool that stays near 68°F year-round in Zilker Park.
Outdoors · Austin · 0.3 mi straight-line - 2Barton 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 · 0.4 mi straight-line - 3Zilker Botanical Garden
Themed gardens on a hillside above Barton Creek, including a Japanese garden with koi ponds and a rose garden.
Outdoors · 0.5 mi straight-line - 4Umlauf Sculpture Garden
Bronze and stone sculptures by Charles Umlauf set among ponds and trees across the road from Zilker Park.
Sight · 0.7 mi straight-line - 5Uchi
Tyson Cole's Japanese restaurant in a South Lamar bungalow, open since 2003 and known for creative sushi and tasting menus.
Food · Downtown Austin & Lady Bird Lake · 1.1 mi straight-line - 6Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge
A curving walk-and-bike bridge over Lady Bird Lake beside the Lamar Boulevard bridge, with open views of the skyline.
Sight · Downtown Austin & Lady Bird Lake · 1.2 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Zilker Park is a stop on our Austin New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More outdoor spots in Zilker Park & Barton Springs
Another curated outdoor spot in Zilker Park & Barton Springs. 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 Zilker Park itself, we suggest: Morning.
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 Zilker Park, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 30.26360, -97.77670
- Destination
- Zilker Park & Barton Springs, Texas
Zilker Park: quick answers
How much time do you need at Zilker Park?
Plan on about an hour at Zilker Park. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Zilker Park?
Our pick: Morning. Insider tip: Walk the lawn to the hilltop near the parking loop for a skyline view.
Is Zilker Park free?
Yes, we list Zilker Park as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Zilker Park?
Zilker Park appears on Austin New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Zilker Park 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.
Plan Zilker Park & Barton Springs
- Zilker Park & Barton Springs travel guide 6 places
- Austin weather (covers Zilker Park & Barton Springs) weather by month
Lists & regions
Also in Zilker Park & Barton Springs
- Kerbey Lane Cafe Food
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.