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Austin, Texas / Parks and outdoors

Barton Creek Greenbelt

Escape into the Barton Creek Greenbelt, a lush South Austin oasis stretching over seven miles. This public sanctuary features dramatic limestone cliffs, scenic multi-use trails, and refreshing swimming holes perfect for hiking, biking, and climbing.

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Barton Creek Greenbelt
Julia Duffy JTduffy, Public domain

What is the Barton Creek Greenbelt and where is it located?

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a public land corridor and urban oasis in South Austin that runs from Zilker Park west to the Lost Creek neighborhood. It features a multi-use trail network of over 12 miles (with a main trail of about 7.25 to 7.8 miles) winding through a canyon carved by Barton Creek.

How much does it cost to visit and what are the hours?

Admission to the Greenbelt is free, and it is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. While entry is free, parking at the Zilker/Barton Creek Greenbelt trailhead is free only on weekdays, requiring a $7 flat fee on weekends and holidays from March through September.

What activities can you do at the Barton Creek Greenbelt?

Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, rock climbing, bouldering, swimming, hammocking, and sunbathing. The area is characterized by scenic trails, rugged terrain, limestone cliffs, and shallow swimming holes.

Can you swim in the greenbelt?

Yes, visitors can wade and swim in the greenbelt's swimming holes. However, please note that water levels are variable and highly dependent on recent rainfall.

Is the greenbelt environmentally protected?

Yes, the Greenbelt is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, providing essential, ecologically significant habitat for several federally protected endangered species. These include the Golden Cheeked Warbler, Austin Blind Salamander, Barton Springs Salamander, and Bracted Twistflower.

What should I check before going?

Use Gyde for context, then check official sources for current hours, tickets, construction, and closures.

What to know

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a beloved public land corridor managed by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Spanning from Zilker Park westward to the Lost Creek neighborhood, this urban oasis runs approximately 7.25 to 7.8 miles through a canyon carved by Barton Creek. The city describes the entire network as offering over 12 miles of multi-use trails to explore, making it a premier South Austin destination for outdoor recreation. The landscape is defined by large limestone cliffs, dense vegetation, and shallow water features. Depending on recent rainfall, visitors can find refreshing swimming holes along the creek. Beyond recreation, the Greenbelt is ecologically significant. It is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve, providing essential habitat for federally protected endangered species, including the Golden Cheeked Warbler, the Austin Blind Salamander, the Barton Springs Salamander, and the Bracted Twistflower. The Greenbelt's existence as a public open space is the result of passionate civic action. Prior to 1970, the entire corridor was privately owned. In 1988, a massive development proposal within the Barton Creek watershed galvanized local environmentalists to protect Barton Springs and its surrounding lands. This led to a voter-approved ordinance restricting development and bond proposals to expand conservation lands. In the 1990s, the Save Our Springs movement and parallel land-acquisition efforts secured this unparalleled nature experience permanently for public use. Today, the Greenbelt is a vibrant hub where locals and visitors engage in hiking, biking, rock climbing, bouldering, and swimming. On any given day, you might spot outdoor enthusiasts sunbathing on giant boulders or lazily passing the time in hammocks strung between the trees. With multiple trailhead access points maintained by the city, it remains one of Austin's most accessible and cherished natural escapes.

Visitor tips

  • The Greenbelt is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and admission is completely free.
  • If accessing via the Zilker trailhead, parking is free on weekdays but costs a $7 flat fee on weekends and holidays from March through September.
  • Be prepared for variable water levels in the swimming holes, which depend heavily on recent rainfall.
  • Keep in mind that the trails are multi-use, so watch out for cyclists maintaining safe speeds.

Nearby context

The Barton Creek Greenbelt begins right at Zilker Park, Austin's premier metropolitan park. Just a short distance from the trailhead, you can also find the Zilker Hillside Theater, making this area a major hub for both outdoor adventure and local cultural events. It is the perfect starting point to transition from a relaxing afternoon in the park to a rugged hike along the creek.

Sources

Evidence and links