Visit the diverse habitat types available in the Austin area. Austin is blessed with many creeks. They flow into the Colorado River which is dammed into a series of lakes. Many of our creeks are ephemeral. The Austin area is dominated by limestone, dating from the Age of Dinosaurs, when most of Texas was under shallow seas. A large zone of highly fractured limestone, with hundreds of small caves, recharges water into lovely Barton Springs and countless smaller springs, with fragile maidenhair ferns and rare aquatic salamanders. The Texas Hill Country is dominated by live oaks, spanish oaks, and juniper trees, growing over thin soils. White-tailed deer abound and are easily seen along the roads at evening. Over 300 kinds of birds travel through Texas during the spring and autumn. The Preserves are maintained in a primitive state with natural surface trails and no rest rooms. Good walking or hiking shoes and water supplies are recommended.
Daily, Dawn - Dusk,No Admission Fee.
For additional information about the preserves listed below and those open by special arrangement only,
call or write the address above.
40 acres of streamside and upland woods and meadows. The spring-fed creek and the hackberry/elm woods support resident wildlife and offer refuge, rest and food for migratory species. Older remnants of the Preserve feature mature oaks and old native Texas persimmon trees. Geological features include two lookout areas, one of which is composed of compacted volcanic ash, deposited in the late Cretaceous Age. The core of the old volcanic eruption is beneath the Main Building of St. Edward's University.
Exit Oltorf Dr. west from I-35 and proceed west. Turn south on East Side and proceed for 2 blocks. Turn east on St. Edward's Dr. Trailhead located on St. Edward's Dr.
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500 acre preserve offering breathtaking views leading north of the surrounding hill country and waterfalls along Bull Creek. Trails offer vigorous hiking for the adventurous; the trail system is not well defined. Another trail leads along the Bull Creek Greenbelt.
Exit I-35 at 183 North to Loop 360, turn south on Capital of Texas Highway. Proceed south to Spicewood Springs Rd. Turn west (right) at the first driveway after Spicewood Springs Rd. and park along Bull Creek.
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The 22 acre park and preserve is located directly on Barrow Brook Cove of Lake Austin. The park grounds include the preserve woods, a series of five lily ponds and a home which is representative of turn of the century suburban lake cottage retreats. Numerous peacocks and hens can be seen roaming free. The preserve is mature oak and juniper woodland, with an understory of mountain laurels, elbow bush, silktassel and turk's cap. Trails meander through the woods and cross the creeks over bridges and foot stones. The preserve is admired for its tranquillity and beauty.
Exit I-35 at E. 38 1/2 proceed west. Street name changes to 38th at Red River. Continue west. Street name changes to 35th immediately after Shoal Creek. Continue west 3 miles to the entrance on the south (left) side of the street. Asphalt parking lot for 50 cars.
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The Elisabet Ney Museum is the former studio of 19th - century German-Texas sculptor, Elisabet Ney (1833-1907). Founded in 1911, the museum displays Ney's sculptures of 19th-century European and Texas notables together with memorabilia from the artist's colorful life. Guided tours available.
10 a - 5 p Wed. - Sat., 12 N - 5 p Sun. No Admission Fee.
Exit I-35 at Airport Rd. north. Proceed north to 45th St. Turn west (left) on 45th St. to Ave H. Turn
south
(left) one block to 44th St. Turn east (left) on 44th St. .5 blocks. Entrance on the left. Street
parking.
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Nestled on beautiful Lake Austin, the 1,000 acre oak, ash and juniper woodland has approximately one mile of lake front. Favorite activities include boating, skiing, fishing, picnicking, or just sunning on the sandy beach. Facilities include two boat ramps, fishing dock, protected swimming area (lifeguards weekends, summer only), restrooms, showers and sand pit volleyball courts. Concession stand is open Memorial Day - Labor Day. 20 utility camp sites with water and electric hook-up and 50 designated tent camp sites available with 14 day maximum stay. Camping permits are strictly first come, first served.
Daily, 7 a - 10 p Park curfew strictly enforced. GATES ARE LOCKED 10 p to 7 a.
Park Entrance Fee; $3.00 per vehicle Mon. - Thu., $5.00 per vehicle Thu. - Sun. & Holidays.
Utility Camping: $10.00 per night + 1st Day Entrance Fee. Tent Camping: $6.00 per night + 1st Day
Entrance Fee.
Exit I-35 at 290 west and proceed west (street name changes to Koenig at Airport, to Allendale at Burnet
and to Northland at Shoal Creek and to FM 2222 at Balcones) Turn south on City Park Rd (just west of
Loop 360). Proceed south for 6.2 miles to entrance of park.
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One of the finest trail systems in the nation, over 18 miles of well-surfaced scenic paths follow natural greenbelts into all areas of the city. There are an additional 14 miles of natural surface trails. Because sunny skies and mild climate make it possible to jog, walk or bike year round in Austin, there is ample occasion and trail to experience the visual beauty of Austin. Dogs must be on leash at all times.
3 miles of granite gravel, crushed limestone and concrete surface. Trailhead at 1st (Cesar Chavez St.) and Lamar Blvd. Scenic trail north through Pease Park to 38th St. Trail closed for repair from 5th St. to 15th St.
Exit I-35 west at Riverside Dr. Proceed west to Lamar Blvd. Turn north (right) to 1st St. east access (right). Proceed east approximately .5 miles to small parking area just past water pumping station on right.
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Over 3,000 trees and shrubs, including many endangered species, which produce a bright array of blossoms every spring and significant pieces in the City's Art in Public Places collection line the 10.1 miles of hike/bike trail. The granite gravel and concrete surfaced trail is divided into two loops ranging in distance from 2.9 miles to 4.1 miles. The trail connects with both the Shoal Creek and Barton Creek Greenbelts. By far the most widely used of the trail system by residents and visitors alike.
Exit I-35 at Riverside Dr. west to just past 1st St. Turn north (right) into parking area.
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Over 100 steps lead to the summit. At 785 ft., the summit of Mt. Bonnell is Austin's highest point. Spectacular views of city and Lake Austin. No facilities at summit.
Daily, 5 a - 10 p. Curfew Strictly Enforced; No Admission Fee.
Exit I-35 at E. 38 1/2 proceed west. Street name changes to 38th at Red River. Continue west.
Street name changes to 35th immediately after Shoal Creek. Continue west 3 miles. At the entrance to
Mayfield Park (on your left), turn north (right) on Mt. Bonnell Rd. Proceed north approximately 1 mile,
street parking on right.
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10 acre preserve situated over the Edwards Recharge Zone has several karst features including caves, sinkholes and honeycomb outcrops. Gently winding, one eighth mile, 20 minute trail. Karst originally referred to a limestone plateau in Germany, now it is used to mean any area with limestone rocks, deep fractures, caves which feed rain water directly into underground lakes and streams.
Exit I-35 at William Cannon west and proceed west to Brodie Ln. Turn south approximately 1 1/4 miles to Deer Ln. Turn west on Deer Ln. to trailhead prior to Coastal Bend Dr.
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7.8 miles of natural surface hike/bike trail. Habitat for endangered species, Golden Cheek Warbler and Bracted Twistflower. Borders Barton Creek which feeds the Edwards Aquifer. Spring rains form natural swimming areas. Six designated accesses. Trails subject to weather related closure. Accesses:
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The various gardens are a montage in which flowers, shrubs, trees and ponds are integrated into a design that provides an environment of inspiration, beauty and tranquillity. Educational opportunities, for people of all ages are afforded through a variety of specialized gardens, displays and research programs.
Daily, 8:30 a - 7:00 p. No Admission Fee.
Exit Riverside Dr. west from I-35 and proceed west. Turn west (left) on Barton Springs Rd. and
proceed
west 1.6 miles. The gardens are on the right, past Stratford Dr. Asphalt parking lot
accommodates 80
vehicles.
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Discover Austin's only living nature museum. Over 50 live animal exhibits are featured. These native mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods cannot be returned to the wild as they have been injured or orphaned. Our outdoor nature trails feature two ponds and a connecting creek that play host to a variety of native plants, birds, bats, butterflies and other bugs. As you journey through our trails, participate in our Eco-living Room and Backyard outdoor exhibits. New ways of living that help the environment are demonstrated: composting, xeriscaping, pest management and sustainable building techniques. Hands -On discovery lab and Nature of Austin exhibits in Visitor Center.
Daily, Mon. - Sat., 9 a - 5 p; Sun. 12 N - 5 p. Donation Requested.
Exit I- 35 at Riverside Dr. west. Turn west on Barton Springs Rd. and proceed approximately 2.5
miles in
Zilker Park. Turn north on Stratford Dr. approximately .5 miles. Asphalt parking lot under the
Loop 1 bridge.
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The natural grassy hillside accommodates over 2,500 people seated on blankets on a first come, first served basis for a broad range of performances including dance, orchestra, drama and musicals. Most Friday & Saturday performances are filled to capacity. Seating allowed two hours prior to each scheduled performance.
See Calendar of Events for performance dates and times, No Admission Fee.
Exit Riverside Dr. west to Barton Springs Rd. Turn west (left) and proceed 1.3 miles into Zilker
Park.
Turn left into parking area.
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For centuries Barton Springs has drawn the peoples of Central Texas to swim in its cold, clear water (68) and to sit beneath the pecan and oak trees that shade it. Each day almost 32 million gallons of water tumble out of Barton Springs from the Edwards Aquifer, a natural underground geologic formation that stores rainfall and streams that seep through land surfaces. Due to the sensitive relationship of the springs to the environment, the pool may close for a number of reasons. Call the pool hotline for pool status.
Pool open daily 5 a - 10 p, year round (except for maintenance schedule).
Guarded swim Sep. - May, 9 a - dusk, June - Aug, 9 a - a10 p
Pool maintenance schedule closed mid March - Oct., Mon & Thurs. 7:30 p, Nov. - mid March,
Mon.
10 a -5 p.
No admission fee Nov. - mid March.
Mid March - Oct. admission fees Sr. and adult, 2$ weekday, $2.25 weekends. Students $.50,
children $.25
Edit I-35 at Riverside Dr. west. Turn west on Barton Springs Rd. and proceed approximately 1.3
miles to
Zilker Park. Turn south into the Zilker parking lot and follow signs to pool area. Asphalt parking
lot
accomodates about 100 vehicles.
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The 60 acre preserve is located on the west end of Zilker Park. Featured are an ephemeral creek edged with meadow, streamside habitats, and a high cliff with shallow caves. A rock-walled ramada overlooks the preserve and downtown Austin. The habitat directly above the cliff is endemic to the drier portions of the Edwards Plateau. Wooley croton bush and myrtle croton, as well as mountain laurel are in abundance. Foot trails start under the Loop One bridge. Subtle interpretive signs are featured along the well marked trails.
Exit I-35 at Riverside Dr. west. Turn west on Barton Springs Rd. and proceed approximately 2.5 miles into Zilker Park. Parking lot on right under Loop 1 bridge.
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More than 130 sculptures by Charles Umlauf, a prolific and internationally known sculptor, are on display both inside the new museum and outside in a xeriscape garden. Umlauf's work varies from the realistic to the abstract, his materials from wood and cast stone to bronze and marble. Both the museum and the garden are accessible to the handicapped. Museum brochure available in Spanish. Museum video is captioned for the hearing impaired.
Thu., Sat. & Sun. 1 p - 4:30 p. Fri. 10 a - 4:30 p. Saturdays in June, July and Aug.; 10 a - 4:30
p.
Sr. & Adult $2, Student $1, Under 6 Free
Exit Riverside Dr. west from I-35 and proceed west. Turn west (left) on Barton Springs Rd. and
proceed
west for approximately 5 blocks to Robert E. Lee Rd. Turn left on Robert E. Lee. The Garden &
Museum
are approximately 1/2 block on the left.
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