Austin Parks Foundation in Barton Creek Greenbelt is a non-profit organization dedicated to the Austin community to enhance their lives by making Austin’s parks better through volunteerism, innovative programming, and financial support.
Barton Creek Greenbelt is an urban oasis where the trails provide an opportunity for biking, running, rock climbing, swimming, and hiking.
They are known for the annual flagship volunteer event, It’s My Park Day, and Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Metropolitan Park.
Take a dip into the Barton Springs pool, which measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
Over the years, people from all walks of life, from legislators to free-spirited have been drawn to this fantastic pool where even Robert Redford learned to swim at five years old.
Today, Barton Springs still attracts a diverse crowd of people and has seen record-setting numbers of visitors nearing 800,000 in recent years.
Have you always wanted to ride a horse but never had the opportunity to try it? Then join Bear Creek Stables and let them introduce you to the world of horseback riding.
They have taught folks how to ride horses for over 30 years and work with all kinds of riders, from complete novices to riders training for competitions.
Saddle up and choose from horseback lessons, hay rides, guided rides, parties, horse camps, BBQs, local showings, and even filming.
Step back to the past and discover dinosaurs in a way that you've never discovered them before at The Dinosaur Park, where they offer a unique setting featuring realistic life-size dinosaur exhibits that show skin and color variations to give a better understanding of how they looked when they were alive.
These static statues range in size from the 2-foot-long Compsognathus to the 123-foot Diplodocus, the longest dinosaur that ever lived.
The Dinosaur Park is an educational and life-like destination, where everyone can learn about the majestic animals that ruled the earth for over 150 million years.
Stop and smell the wildflowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, where they use native plants to restore and create sustainable, beautiful landscapes.
Learn how they inspire the conservation of native plants through the gardens, research, education, and outreach programs. In doing so, we improve water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and enhance human health and happiness.
Lake Travis is considered one of the clearest lakes in Texas that has plenty to do for the outdoor recreationist, including fishing, boating, scuba diving, picnicking, and camping.
If boating is your passion, catch one of the multi-class sailboats and windsurfing regattas. Prefer being in the middle of the action? There are plenty of marina rental stores that offer ski boats, cruisers, cigarettes, and mansion-like houseboats for weekend warriors. There are dozens of smaller parks along the banks of the lake that provide plenty of opportunities for diving and parasailing.
Fishing enthusiasts will appreciate easy access to some of the best fishing spots along Lake Travis. The Parks Department regularly stocks the lake with largemouth bass, Guadalupe bass, white bass, striped bass, catfish, and sunfish.
Reach new heights with Rock-About Climbing Adventures, which offers courses for beginners, experienced climbers, groups, and Boy and Girl Scout troops.
Experience the triumph of rock climbing and see the beauty of Texas from a new perspective as the guides provide a safe environment where you can experience hiking, sightseeing, camping, and climbing.
Texas Rowing Center is Austin’s home for rowing, kayaking, canoeing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Kayaking and stand-up paddle boarding are fun and easy ways for the whole family to enjoy Ladybird Lake.
Enjoy the recreational kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards that are simple to operate and safe for everyone.
Take a drive across the scenic Pennybacker Bridge, also known as the Loop 360 Boat Ramp, where the weathering steel bridge is said to blend perfectly with the natural environment of Austin and has won several architectural and engineering awards.
This three-acre park is for launching and picking up watercraft, as well as access to fishing along the shoreline that is covered by a few bald cypresses and sycamore trees to offer shade.
Explore the "jewel in the heart of Austin," also known as the Zilker Botanical Garden. The garden was established in 1995 and sprawls through 31 acres of downtown Austin, offering a sweet escape from city streets and greeting more than 400,000 visitors annually.
Themes among the gardens are as varied as nature itself. There's a Japanese garden and koi pond, a rose garden, an herb garden, a butterfly trail and garden, and a cactus garden among the selections to tour. Another unique feature is the Hartman Prehistoric Garden, which recreates the habitat of local dinosaurs.
Visitors can tour the gardens for free and take home a Texas succulent or majestic orchid among the many offerings.