Austin • Insider Guide 2026 • Outdoor Adventures

Get outside! With nearly 300 days of sunshine each year, Austin is a paradise of parks, rivers and wildlife.

HIKING

Barton Creek Greenbelt’s 12 miles of hiking trails snake through South Austin. Stop by picturesque waterfalls and cool off in the creek when water levels are high. Wooded paths and rocky terrain make Emma Long Metropolitan Park a quiet respite from the city, with beautiful Lake Austin views.

Water flows down massive slabs of limestone at Pedernales Falls State Park. Climb to scenic overlooks and stop by bubbling creeks for a rest (reservations recommended). Nearly nine miles of trails at McKinney Falls State Park lead past bald cypress trees, a dramatic rock shelter and two waterfalls.

BIKING

See the city on two wheels. The 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail circles around Lady Bird Lake, with skyline views and leafy greenery. Violet Crown Trail connects multiple smaller trails, leading from Zilker Park downtown to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in southwest Austin.

The 3.1-mile paved loop of the Veloway at Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park is car- and pedestrian-free, making it safe for families and serious cyclists, with miles to cover. Kid-friendly Southern Walnut Creek Trail is over 7.3 miles, and mostly paved, dotted with shady spots, soft hills and creek crossings.

BIRDING

The 284-acre Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center attracts native birds and migrating species. Join a monthly birding walk led by volunteers from Travis Audubon. Beautiful peacocks have roamed the grounds of Mayfield Park and Nature Preserve since the 1930s. Spy them as they primp and preen through the gardens.

Bring your bird book to Hornsby Bend Bird Observatory. The three ponds at this facility are a haven for sandpipers, shovelers and more than 350 other bird species. Rugged Milton Reimers Ranch Park attracts roadrunners, woodpeckers and more. Join Travis Audubon for frequent bird walks to the river.

SWIMMING

Feeling the heat? Take a dip in beloved Barton Springs Pool, a natural swimming spot in Zilker Park. This three-acre spring-fed pool is a cool 68° to 70°F year-round. Deep Eddy Pool is another popular spring-fed oasis, located on the banks of the Colorado River. Swim laps or splash in the one-acre wading pool.

A short drive from Austin, Blue Hole is an otherworldly swimming spot. Crystal-clear waters stay a consistent 75°, while banks of cypress trees create a shady canopy overhead. Stuck between swimming pool and swimming hole? Krause Springs has both, plus two waterfalls, in a lush natural setting.

BOATING & PADDLING

No motors are allowed on Lady Bird Lake, making it a hot spot for kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding. Rent your float lakeside. Lake Austin is a man-made reservoir along the Colorado River. Cruise on the water until you find the perfect spot to stop for a dip.

At nearly 30 square miles, Lake Travis has space to play. Water ski, boat and jet ski, or find a peaceful cove for fishing. Farther upriver, Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area is a beautiful natural park along the Colorado River. Kayak or stand-up paddleboard in the gentle current.

BAT WATCHING

From spring through early fall, 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats reside under the Congress Avenue Bridge. Wait on the bridge at dusk to see them emerge in a dark flurry of wings. You can also spread a blanket at the Statesman Bat Observation Center, a grassy hill adjacent to the bridge, for a sunset picnic.

How about a view from the water? Lone Star Riverboat and Capital Cruises will get you close to the action in their open-air electric boats. Or paddle your own way with Live Love Paddle or Austin Kayak Tours, where you’ll get closer to nature and learn about this natural wildlife phenomenon.

Austin - Insider Guide 2026

Outdoor Adventures