- Barton Springs Pool
(in Zilker Park) 867-3080,
A spring-fed pool that is nearly 1,000 feet long
and maintains a yearly temperature of 68 degrees. Baseball, football, soccer, and
rugby fields welcome sport enthusiasts, while others enjoy the Botanical Gardens, the
Austin Area Garden Center, and Zilker Hillside Theater. Children like the play-scape near
the pool, and they love to ride the Zilker Eagle, a miniature train that runs
through the park. Special events like the annual Kite Contest in the spring attract crowds
of adults and children alike, while the Zilker Clubhouse at the west end of the park is
customarily used for smaller social functions . Starting at the Barton Springs Pool
bathhouse, the
- The Barton Creek
Greenbelt
The most popular greenbelt at 7.9 miles long consisting
of 809 acres. With sheer cliff walls, lush vegetation, and popular swimming areas, the
Barton Creek greenbelt is truly a treasure. When the water in the creek is running
(usually in spring) this is a fantastic walk. The easiest access point is the Loop 360
access with gently sloping cutback trails so that everyone can enjoy the trail.
- Trail of Trees
This beautiful trail will teach even the most
ignorant naturalist about 28 different species of trees. A Free brochure is available from
Parks and Recreational Department.
- Austin Area Garden Center
On the north side of Barton Springs Road, you can
enjoy an oriental garden with waterfalls and ponds, a rose garden, a butterfly trail, a
xeriscape garden that demonstrates the principles of water conservation, and a small
pioneer village.
- Zilker Dinosaur Trackways
Dinosaur tracks believed to be those of an
ostrich-like dinosaur, ornithomimus, were found in 1992. These tracks were uncovered,
bones of a marine turtle, osteopygis, were discovered as well. The estimated age of
the tracks and bones is 100 million years, but ongoing research at the site will better
determine information regarding the dinosaurs and their environment.
- Austin Nature and Science Center
This fascinating center is filled with exhibits of science, natural history and
botany. A living nature museum with resident injured and/or orphaned native
wildlife, a Birds of Prey aviary, and the Eco-Detective Trail, and more. The Austin
Nature Center has an entrance to the Zilker Nature Preserve which has about 3 miles of
hiking trails. They even have a satellite site at the Barton Springs bathhouse (now
renamed the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center) called SPLASH! Into the Edwards
Aquifer. This permanent exhibit is a hands-on look at Central Texas' most precious
natural resource. Open Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Sun. 12 - 5 p.m. 301 Nature
Center Drive. (512) 327-8181
Make sure that you check out the other sections of Texas Outside to find more to see and do in and around Austin and Central Texas
Lady Bird Lake Resource Guide
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