Barton Creek Greenbelt
2201 Barton Springs Rd
Austin, TX 78746
- Good for Kids: Yes
37 Reviews for Barton Creek Greenbelt
Austin has a lot of greenbelt's, for this we are lucky. Barton Creek is so fabulous because you literally step out of the city and you are in what feels like complete reclusive nature, like no highways, cars, streets, etc. Sure there are other nature lovers loving the baby head sized rocks on their mountain bikes, and people sauntering down the trails with water bottles strapped to their sides like guns in a holster, but the creek, the trails, the smell of sweet grass, the complete treed enclosure and the sunshine really make you forget this is the city.
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Good luck finding this kind of beauty in another city! SEE THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR A GREENBELT MAP WITH ALL ENTRANCES AND MILAGE MARKERS!
This is a FREE and FANTASTIC way to spend a beautiful day. Take your dogs.... I've never been hassled about mine being off their leashes.
A word of advice: if you go and you smoke/drink, beware of ticketing raids during the summer (as it's illegal to drink there) and TAKE YOUR TRASH WITH YOU. Pack in, have fun, and pack out.
Take a towel, a friend, and a good attitude. You're sure to make friends. :)
*UPDATE*
Here's a map:
http://www.txinfo.com/...
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Jes and I fell absolutely unequivocally undeniably irrepressibly giddily in love with Austin right here, looking out on the pretty skyline whilst nesting in the most perfect patch of grass ever. I swooned over the darkened silhouettes of the live oaks and the few twinkling stars. We marveled at how welcoming this city has been. The glorious greenery is definitely a part of it.
Maybe agoraphobes and Austin locals will find themselves either terrified or nonchalant about the sumptuous loveliness laid out before them, but I would happily build a little tree house and live right here forever.
Also, we went after curfew (I know, such rebels) and nothing happened. Nothing at all. So don't be scared.
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I heard so much about the Greenbelt, and this was my first taste of it. I am a total city girl, but walking into this patch of the Greenbelt was...awesome, like your heart is ready to sing. This is nature at its best. Granted we went when the creek was dry as bone, but the trail was awesome, and we went up the limestone cliffs, maybe 60, 70 feet up. The adrenaline pumping into your body as you go up, and the exhilaration you feel when you reach that point at the top...and the relief when you successfully get back down. My boyfriend showed me some fossilized shell from the creek bed; apparently it was submerged in water a long time ago. Wow. Then he showed me real rock-climbing, in Gus Frau? Something. Awesome. What's cool, too, is once you step back out, you're in suburbia all over again. So it's nature, then suburbia. Nice. Now I know why Barton Springs can be a pricy neighborhood: prime location indeed. I'd do this all over again, next time with no sunscreen to blur my vision maybe, and with pants that are a bit more forgiving against limestone.
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I've lived in Austin for seven years, and my favorite place is still the Barton Creek Greenbelt. My first trip turned me into an unrelenting nature snob; now I scoff when I drive by a gym and see the hamster people running on their treadmills. Where are they from, Dallas? The Greenbelt is for the true Austin animal. It's breathtakingly gorgeous, it's physically challenging, everyone is happy to be there, and above all, it's completely free of charge! From Barton Springs to Westlake, there's a little something for just about everybody: hikers, bikers, walkers, climbers, swimmers, waders, joggers, bird-watchers, and their dogs too. You can even wear weights if you want to. It all just depends on what time of year you want to go and what part of the creek you want to see.
I still haven't been able to explore every single spot, but I'm trying. Maps of the numerous access points and mileage markers can be found at the Austin Parks and Recreation Department or on their website, or at the trail heads themselves.
My personal favorite spots are Sculpture Falls for swimming and the insane canyon-side trail at Trail's End (a.k.a. Scottish Woods) for hiking. But it's also really hard to beat a dip in Campbell's Hole on a summer day after a good rain. After last summer's constant deluge ended, this spot was by far the best place in Austin to spend a lazy afternoon, especially considering what dry summers we had before then. Just a word of advice for those accessing the hole via the Barton Hills access on Homedale Drive and crossing The Flats: think low center of gravity. Especially if you've been drinking. Moss is indeed a dangerous plant. By the way, alcohol is expressly prohibited on the trails, and for that matter so are green leafy plants in smoked form, and the APD have been known to make an appearance. Good to know. And if you're strictly a pool swimmer, obviously the creek is not for you. The signs on the trail will tell you that the water quality can not be guaranteed and swimming is not recommended. So you can't sue the city if you get waterborne meningitis.
Luckily Barton Creek with water, though preferable, is not necessary. Even when the creek bed is dry as a bone, there's plenty of trail love to be had. Some of the trails are a little bit treacherous in spots, but I wouldn't say they're ever dangerous unless you're just not paying attention to your step. They're usually closed when muddy. Walking, jogging, climbing, or cycling is completely up to the patron. The key is coexistence. The trails are not always wide, but the guidelines are easy ones. If you're on foot, you have the right of way, but if you just keep your head tuned for cyclists and step over to your right a little, they'll just go around you, and usually they'll show their appreciation for your awareness. Another key is timing. One thing you don't want is to get stuck out there after dark. What everyone loves about the place is its mid-city sense of seclusion. There are no lights out there, so don't hit the trails without a sense of time. Know when the sun sets and get out of there beforehand. I'll admit running from the darkness is a good workout, but if you don't make it you're kinda screwed. But here's what's never good. Dogs are supposed to be on leashes according to park rules, but I've come across many a poor soul searching for a lost canine with little precious sunlight to spare. Don't be that guy. As far as kiddies go, all the trails I've seen are fine as long as they're not in strollers, and as long as they're not those green-from-too-many-video-game kids.
All things considered the greenbelt is the best place in South Austin (and I'd say the best in the city) for a nature lover's getaway. Definitely my favorite, and I go back time and time again. There's room for everybody and memberships for no one!
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Last week was my first experience on the trail.... and definitely not my last. We parked at the northern tip of the trail, which we'll never do again. The first quarter mile is nothing but a rocky hill.... it's hard on the ankles and there's nothing to look at.
While on the trail we couldn't stop noticing all the cute dogs. Every single dog we encountered was so well behaved and we couldn't stop thinking about how fun it would be to go down the trial with a dog. So, after the hike we decided to stop by the adoption place "just to look" at some dogs...... 30 minutes later we were leaving the adoption place with a dog in our hands.
We named him Rocky because of our home state of Utah and the Rocky Mountains we miss.... but it's also fitting because of the Rocky slope to the trail that eventually lead to getting the dog.
Thanks Barton Creek for finally pushing us over the fence of dog ownership. But next time this animal takes a dump in our house I'm docking you one star.....
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One of my favorite things about Austin is the Greenbelt. I love how it's an oasis in the middle of the city. And of course, Morgan our dog loves the Greenbelt too. The trail itself is beautiful and a pretty easy hike, watch out for the bikers though...they are everywhere. My favorite thing to do in the late spring/early summer is grab the pup and head out here and just spend the day relaxing in the water and getting exercise at the same time. Love it! it's beautiful!
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Sitting in NYC at work, it's snowing it's cold and I am missing living by you, Green Belt in Austin. Beautiful, green, lushness and I will try and forget that nasty spill I had while trying to ride my bike down one of your trails. OUCH!
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The Twin Falls area of the Barton Creek Greenbelt has to be one of my favourite summer places in Austin.
The trail down to the water is fairly short, and the 'hike' is quite easy. The trail is wide enough for bikes, groups, and dogs, but narrow enough that you have to pay attention.
You can have your dogs off leash here, which is really awesome, because they get to run around and socialize with other people and dogs, and swim in the water.
One of the coolest things about this area is that the people are almost always friendly, and always up for sharing in the festivities. If people are drumming, you can usually join in. If people are having a diving contest, join in. Forgot your beer? Someone will offer you one. Need a joint? Yeah, that's there, too.
The best time to come is a few days after a good rain, when the falls are fairly full and slightly fast moving. Long into the summer the creek beds become dry and the water becomes almost too shallow to jump.
The lower area of the creek features a small waterfall that you can jump off of (about 6 feet high, and the water is about 5-10 feet deep, depending again on the rain), and this is where many people hang out.
About 1-2 miles further up the trail is "Sculpture Falls", and just before the falls there's a nice, deeper area to swim (but not many places to rest/climb out, so be careful if you're not a strong swimmer or really intoxicated), and sometimes even a rope to swing off of.
At Sculpture Falls you will see really cool formations in the rock where the water has carved out little holes and curves that are perfect for water to flow through or people to sit on.
The hiking trail goes on pretty long, and though I've yet to hike the entire thing, have gone about 3 miles in and enjoyed some pretty scenery. In July/August there are rows of beautiful, tall, yellow flowers surrounding some parts of the trail, so bring your camera. We got some excellent shots of our dogs running ahead during this time.
Hints & Tips:
- Park your car anywhere on the side of the road/in the gras, but DO NOT BRING/LEAVE VALUABLES IN IT. Even if there's "nothing worth stealing" in your car, don't even let it LOOK like there is - you'll just end up with a broken window because you left some empty Foot Locker box or old backpack in the back seat.
- This same school of thought applies to bringing stuff with you. Rafts, towels, sunscreen, aqua shoes, dog leashes, some food, etc. are all fine and dandy, but don't expect your wallet or keys to be there when you come back. Or your CD's, iPod, etc. I always make my beau carry the keys with us. Call me paranoid, but hey, so far, so good.
- If you are going to be there more than an hour or so, be sure to have some water. We would freeze the 1 liter bottles of water and just bring them with us to drink. Within an hour they'd be at least 1/4th melted and perfectly ice cold for drinking.
- If you bring beer, why not bring a 12 pack or a case and share? There will be a time when you forget your goodies and will appreciate the favour, so pay it forward.
- The banked area by the water where many people keep their stuff gets pretty muddy, so have something to stand/sit on while you change shoes/clothes if you plan on trying to keep your car dirt-free.
- A raft or tube to float on is a great idea, especially during busy times when all the spots next to the water are occupied by drum circles and dogs.
- If your dog is aggressive towards other dogs, please don't bring him/her to the more populated areas. Sure, sometimes dogs are random and stuff happens, but if you KNOW your dog does not get along well with others, then please respect the safety of others by keeping your dog away. Also, it'd be nice if everyone would vaccinate their dogs, but hey, that just may be asking too much ;) (Another tip: puppies who have not at least had their 2nd Parvo vaccination should NOT be brought to areas with other dogs. They can easily get parvo and can and probably will DIE)
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This hike is 5 minutes from my house so I find myself and the pup here several times a week. This trail requires dogs be leashed but you won't encounter many leashed dogs. I can't add a comment that has not already been rated/reviewed/commented on; so, I will just add some recent Pics......
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Best time to go is during the weekdays. It gets too crowded on the weekends with everyone coming out with their dogs, homeless people and their dogs and the cops out trying to bust the potheads. However, all of that doesn't matter when you are there with your friends and some ice cold beers.
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Barton Creek Trail (starting from Barton Springs Pool parking lot):
Possibly the #1 reason I moved to Austin. Walking on this trail makes me run! I can run farther on this trail than any place else. It makes me breathe more and go lookey-dookey! My dogs go nuts here too, they love running off the trail into the woods to chase things that prolly don't exist. It's sad that the leash law extends all the way down this trail, but it seems like most people let their dogs off-leash once you get to the first swimming hole.
Dogs are people too!
4-not-5 because of the leash law, and homeless dudes lurking which makes a girl feel creepy.
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When I first moved to Austin, I lived on the greenbelt with amazing trail access. I spent as much time as possible on the south(west) side of the creek.
Then we moved to the Zilker area and I had a secret sneaky back way to the trail (jeepers, that was awesome!). I still spent a lot of time on the trail, this time on the opposite side of the creek (and sometimes crossing it in fast moving water).
When I was training for my trail ultra-marathon, I spent nearly every weekend on the greenbelt.
I love the trail. From the hill of life to the zilker access point, I have run the entire official length many times. As a runner, this is a great place to train for trail racing. As a hiker, this is a great place for a walk. As a nature lover, this would be a great place to take a picnic. I can't wait until my baby is old enough for us to get out on the trail together.
btw, my dog is a little cowed by it (or by the other bigger, clearly more confident dogs who exhibit vast amounts of bravado and trail savvy). And even though it feels rural (it really is true that you forget you're in a city) - I do wish other hikers/runners/walkers would keep their dogs on leash. I've been attacked (friendly-like, but still jumped on) while running. And bikers, please stay away when it's muddy. (isn't there some rule about this??)
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Just bought an awesome house by Zilker that backs up to the Greenbelt. This is the most beautiful spot in town and my dogs love it. We are so lucky to have this in Austin. When my friends visit from out of town it's here they want to check out (not 6th street.)
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You must love everything about our beautiful and amazing Greenbelt, well most everything, there is one thing that causes the loss of a star....DOG OWNERS.
Seriously people, IF you are going to bring your dog here at least be responsible about it. Dogs running all around, lame, this isn't a dog park. It is incredibly annoying when you are just relaxing with friends and some wet soggy beast decides to climb all over you and shake his smelly flea ridden ass all over your face. If you are going to bring your dog at least maintain control of the animal, that is what responsible owners do. Besides it's the law, dogs are supposed to be on leashes while at the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
Oh and before anyone gets upset, I have a dog as well and he loves the Greenbelt, he also has a leash on and promises not to shake his wet dog butt on your tanning towel.
Dog stories aside...this is a great park with numerous trails, all kinds of great places for cliff climbing, bouldering, great swimming holes and you can either find a crowd here or disappear for awhile, it's all up to you.
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there is nothing even remotely this great where i'm from. in fact, i moved to austin not knowing anything about the landscape,etc. i certainly didn't expect to see something like this. i'm not even an outside person and i can't wait for summer(somewhat), so i can spend whole days at this place. sculpture falls is by far the most enjoyable, even when it's crowded. be warned though, idiot hippies with guitars and no regard for keeping their bodies covered are usually in full force here.
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The only thing holding this back from 5 stars unfortunately has nothing to do with the hiking, but to do with the criminals that lurk here (off south 360 and mopac entrance). There is one, specifically, that bears mention.. He goes by the nickname "Booby". I wish I were kidding.
I'd been hiking at the greenbelt for over 7 years now, traversing the river, hiking up on the opposite shore (really nice hiking and less crowded), going during floods, droughts, you name it. Just last summer, I went hiking and put valuables in trunk and we began hiking along on the search for water. The rain started in, so back to the car...it must have been not more than 10 minutes after parking.
My driver's side window was smashed in, trunk popped, and EVERYTHING was stolen. The car next to us, similar fate. We called the police and he seemed to be frightfully worried about the rain and essentially gave us a phone number to call for an investigator.
We immediately tracked Booby's path by checking the credit card statements and calling stores asking for a description of this fellow. We were told a physical description, down to identifying tattoos, and nickname, "Booby", and that Booby frequented the same stores each week with someone else's credit cards, charging $1000 or more for gift certificates at such lovely places like Harbor Freight Tools and Pep Boys (who apparently don't see the need to ask for ID when charging over $1000).
Information was relayed to the police, and nothing has changed. In other words, cars will still be broken into and criminals will stil be waiting as you take off on your happy Greenbelt hike. They really suck, but just make sure you take your valuables with you or hide them before arriving to the greenbelt. Sigh. Criminals suck.
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My dog is basically a giant dork. I mean this with all inherent sensitivity to dorks everywhere, and in fact were they to accidentally come across my dog trying her best to act anything resembling cool, they no doubt would say something along the lines of "wow, that dog's really dorky. Pass the super glue."
I bring this to light in deference to the notion of the Barton Springs Greenbelt and what my experience there has typically stood for, specifically lots of "good time dudes" hanging with their pups, their cold ones, and what my late grandfather might call their "best gals" in order to crank their best day up to Eleven.
And for her part, my dog, who is quite possibly the only lab in the history of man to be averse to the wet stuff, sits in a folding chair, and stares at me as if waiting for Grey Poupon.
Which doesn't keep me from dragging her ass back to the scene of the crime, if not for the crime, then certainly for the scene. Or at least..the scenery.
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With the main trail being eight miles long, and multiple entrances to it....you can find yourself completely secluded or completely surrounded by gobs of people.....ranging from hikers, mountain bikers, cliff climbers, runners, dog owners, beer drinkers, and the "mostly" sexy, bikini wearing, college co-eds....
I personally like exploring the unbeaten paths....my friends and I have spent countless hours being lost and finding our way out and back to our cars....
I love swinging on the ropes tied to various trees on the lazy river...the water is refreshingly cool....and other times nice climbers have let us use their gear to scale cliffs....I have always had an awesome time on the Greenbelt and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves the great outdoors.....
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Beautiful, scenic, mellow, quiet trail. This place is for anybody and an oasis and haven to getaway from the city chaos. I am just surprise how close this place is to the city and not being polluted by it.
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Austin is the best on so many different levels and this fabulous place is among the many reasons why.
I can grab the dog, the kids, the tubes, pack a cooler with juice, snacks and beer and head out for a day of never hearing "I'm bored" from anyone.
It's peaceful, gorgeous and takes me away like Calgon never could.
If you haven't been, you gotta go.
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Love the greenbelt. Do other cities have places like this? I have so many memories of Campbell's Hole, ah good times. And then there was that time I broke my ankle down at Twin Falls and had to practically crawl all the way back to the car... yeah. Always smells uh... herbal out there, sometimes nice, sometimes a little overwhelming. Don't forget to wear some river shoes and watch out for snakes and dog poo!
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In highschool, my friends and i basically lived down here during the summer. Now that we are all in college, we try to make it down as mush as we can, especially when it comes to tubing. The tubing is intense and can last for hours. The green belt is gorgeous and filled with people loving the water, nature, and ALCOHOL. It's great because the belt is such a big place that you can go from a big area to party or just a little private spot for relaxation. It has anything and everything to offer: from cave diving and rock climbing to kayaking and tubing.
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My usual rule of thumb is: If my dog loves it, I love it. And this holds true for Barton Creek Greenbelt, but not for eating poop.
Even though he's just a pup, he has learned the trails well and is starting to enjoy the water. So whenever its hot outside, we head down here. Its great exercise for him [and me] trekking along the trails until we find our favorite little watering hole, and then we jump in for a refreshing dip away from all the drunks tubing.
Not that there's anything wrong with drinking and tubing, in fact I am all for it. Just not when it involves my pup. I think my favorite memory so far was when Brutus and I were camped out on a rock near a rushing stream of water. Suddenly he saw someone he wanted to play with, and BOOM, off the rock, swept away by the current. Thankfully everyone in the vicinty jumped to save him, he's just that cute. It was funny seeing so many people scramble to save a dog they didn't even know. And heartwarming.
Or maybe thats the beer talking. Anyhoo, fix the broken bridge, and I'll come back and give ya 5 stars, BCGB.
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Its amazing that we have a place in Austin that can feel so wild, and yet be less than two miles form the largest capitol building in the world. Hike, bike, swim, kayak, topless hangouts, picnic spots, its awesome!
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I haven't been swimming in a good river/creek for a long time. Having done a lot of river swimming in Yosemite back when I was a kid, Barton Creek really brought me back.
From the look of things this creek has some good rapids to shoot down and a lot of good pools to swim around in more casually. The water is clear and clean and it is a great way to escape the summer heat. Lots of trees provide good shade too so you aren't stuck out in the open all day.
Next time I am in Austin, if the weather is right, I plan on taking a dip.
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Aside from live music, THIS is what Austin is all about.
Don't forget your beer. And don't forget your bathing suit.
Well ok, you can forget that if you'd like.
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I would normally start my hike at Capital of Texas & Lamar behind Brodie Oaks, it's less populated there and it just a few short miles from two very awesome swimming holes. The trail is perfect for hiking and biking and you'll run into some pretty cool people while on you explore.
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The Greenbelt is a great place for everyone to enjoy but there is a problem with loose dogs. I am a mountain biker and occasional hiker and have been bitten several times. If you look at the signs on all the entrances to the greenbelt, they say all animals need to be kept on leashes. Also if you bring in a picnic or food/drink items, you should pack out your own trash. Austin is such a beautiful place and when you see beer bottles everywhere, it detracts from it. When the water is flowing it is a great place to drop in a tube a float downstream.
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This place is awesome, plain and simple.
I discovered this place with my first 24 hours in Austin. This place has it all:
-creek/river
-tire swing
-cliff for diving
-booze is ok to bring/consume (at least 90% of the people there were)
-pet friendly
-you can lay out if you'd like along the side
-best of all, it's free! (no parking fee or anything!)
This place was awesome drifting down stream. I got bruises from hitting the rocks on some turns and dips, but it was totally worth it. I tried to swim upstream but failed miserably. I'll definitely be coming back here.
*Make sure there is rainfall as this creek/river can dry up.
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It's been awhile since I took myself jogging on this STUNNING 8 mile trail, starting at Barton Springs and going way past MoPac, past Walsh Tarlton, almost to Lost Creek deep into Westlake.
Thanks Yelpers for reminding me that I need to get back.
It is a very rugged and rocky place to run, with impromptu curves and tight places, so you have to be very careful where you step - I've eaten shit on this trail, since its beauty threatens your focus...
When the water is up, there are many water crossings, and instead of having to reach some speed or distance goal, the greenbelt is better suited to those who want to stop to enjoy the swimming holes and different changes in landscape as you go along. It's a trail chock full of discovery...
I still can't believe this is in the MIDDLE of our city, and at many places within the park it's easy to forget where you are. Do beware weekends and holidays, it can get busy, and oftentimes bikers plus strollers plus tourists can move in on your good time, especially when everyone stops to gawk at the rock climbers...
But on a lazy afternoon, when the creek is flowing, it's the BEST.
True story: When the folks were debating whether to retire in Boulder, CO or the Austin area, I brought them to the greenbelt on a perfect Spring day, the water was up and flowin', the fellow hikers couldn't have been nicer, the air was abuzz, and my mother said, "Yep, I think this it."
They do try to close the park after heavy rains..I've never been fined for ignoring the closings, but you may want to call the Barton Creek Greenbelt Hotline at 472-1267 for closings AND to see if the creek is dry or not.
It's a whole different animal when it's dry, more surreal, with stacked rock formations that people have left in the middle of the dry creek. Very cool, but any relief from the heat will have to wait until you get to Barton Springs.
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1. Campbell's Hole/Blue Hole: entrance behind Barton Hill's Elementary School on the east bank of the creek, and the west bank entrance is at the dead end of Barton Skyway. Hundreds of yards of elevated rock shelf where everybody is just hanging out by the water.
2. Twin Falls: entrance on the SW corner of Mopac and 360 service Rd. You'll see the cars parked there. Great walking trails on the way to this and past it. Twin Falls is perfect when the water is flowing, you can dive into where the falls fall.
Plenty of people just hanging out, usually a 20's crowd.
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The Greenbelt is a little joy in the middle of the city.
I've been to Sculpture Falls, Twin Falls, and Campbell's Hole, a place right off of Barton Skyway
Twin Falls is great when the water is high. It's pretty easy to get to, Sculpture is a little bit of a hike. Twin has a little 7 foot jump into the pool at the bottom of the falls.
Sculpture is a little less crowded because most people stop at Twin Falls instead of walking the extra mile or so. It's very pretty
Campbell's hole is really wonderful. The water height varies, but even when it's pretty low, there are little pools that you can sit in. I hiked down a little ways to a very deep part with a cliff- it was probably about 15- 20 feet high. You have to run to jump off of it, it's very scary the first time! The water wasn't very deep that day- maybe seven feet deep, so my feet hit the bottom, but not hard, just a little bit. I like that little cliff place a lot. There are also a few caves that you can hike to and look across the whole place. The trail is pretty easy to find... just walk towards the cliffs directly underneath the cave- there's a trail and you have to climb a few rocks but it is definitely worth it.
The best thing about the whole Greenbelt is that it's packed full of friendly people. Everything is very chill- crowded at some times, but never stressful... sometimes there are small children, but usually not overrun. It's a great place to bring a case of beer (it's illegal, but many many people do it) and relax for a couple of hours. And it's a total must if you have visitors from out of town. Flaunt austin's badassness!
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BEST part of summertime in Austin, if you go to the right places. My preference is Sculpture Falls. It's the prettiest and is the most friendly for puppies, nice people and people that would rather swim than sit in a pool of water. The water flows through this place so there are waterfalls and cleaner water than other places on the greenbelt. After it rains this place is great, not so great when it's been dry. There's a rope swing and little cliff to jump off and a bunch of places to chill on the rocks. Bring beer and other enjoyables, if you catch my drift.
But watch out, because my friends have seen snakes in the water that scared the bajeezus outta 'em and making your way from the trail to the banks to lay out on will probably make you fall in the water, it's something to master. It's a long hike but it's worth it. Easier access next to Rudy's on 360 and in Travis Country, but there's no way I could tell you how to follow the trail, I've been lost many a time, just follow someone who knows.
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My apartment is next to Barton Creek, so we all go there all the time now. We just love this creek, because the water is so wonderful, the scenery is so beautiful, there are several falls, and there are several nice trails for biking. It has everything you would want for the creek. I love going there to take the pictures, so I decided to share some of the pictures with you. :)
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One of my favorite things about Austin is the Greenbelt. It's great for hiking, biking and rock climbing. Let's not forget the great swimming holes as well. Plus, it's all free for everybody. Where else can you find all that just a couple of minutes from downtown?
I love taking my mountain bike on the trails. During the week, they are not usually crowded. If you go on a weekend or holiday, however, expect to have company.
There are times when the Greenbelt is closed after rainfalls in concern for erosion. Sometimes it will only be closed to bikers, but open to those on foot. Sometimes it's closed altogether. For trail conditions, call the Barton Creek Greenbelt Hotline at 472-1267.
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I used to live on Barton Skyway, right across the street from one of the trail heads to the Barton Creek Greenbelt. A crisp, sunny day after a good rain the day before makes for an excellent walk. I've always appreciated the roughness of the trail - you'll want to wear shoes with good tread.
If you head north, you will reach Barton Springs after a mile. If you head south, there are about 6 miles of greenbelt wilderness including swimmable creeks, small waterfalls, ancient-looking stone formations, and rock climbers dangling from cliffs.
A lot of people walk their dogs here without a leash. On one hand, you might appreciate that no one seems to care, even though in Austin, it is illegal. But be prepared for the unexpected canine melee. Your dog might be gentle and well-behaved, but others' dogs might not.
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