The Best Outdoor Activities in Austin

Zilker Park is the oldest metropolitan park in Austin and has been beloved by locals for many years. The park is home to the popular Fall music festival Austin City Limits as well as the summer event Blues on the Green.

Outside of these events, the park is open to the public and is a lovely place to have a picnic or sunbathe. Any given weekend you can find hundreds or even thousands of people enjoying the 350 acre park.

Watching the bats is an Austin activity you can’t miss! One of the best and free places to do this is by standing on the eastside walkway on Congress Bridge, you can also set up on the hill below with a blanket or chairs.

The best time to view the bats is around sunset between March and August; this timing gives you the perfect opportunity to grab dinner nearby before or after!

Barton Springs is a three-acre pool that draws many locals and visitors alike. The spring sits at around 68 degrees all year long, making it the perfect spot to cool off in the warm months. There is also plenty of grassy areas to sit or lay out on and soak up the sun.

There is no food or drinks allowed on the grounds, so plan to grab a bite to eat before or after enjoying your time here.

The Ann and Roy Butler Trail is a 10-mile loop that runs around Lady Bird Lake, offering beautiful scenery and some of the best views of the city!

Every day, you can find people walking, running, and biking this trail for leisure, but you can even use it to get from different places along the lake, like apartment buildings, hotels, restaurants, and even Barton Springs!

Mount Bonnell is home to one of the highest points in Austin, but don’t let this intimidate you! The hike is only a 102-step climb leading to a deck and pavilion with a beautiful view of the city.

This is a great spot for watching the sunrise or sunset, taking aesthetic photos, or just enjoying a picnic with a view!

Bouldin Acres is a Beer Garden and Eatery with everything from pickleball courts, a playground, fenced in Dog Park, lawn games, food trucks and more. This is the perfect activity to get in some exercise and great food and drinks!

Bouldin Acres requires reservations for pickleball courts in advance at prices between $10 – $20 per half hour, depending on the time; they also offer paddle rentals if you don’t have your own $2.50

If you want to enjoy the fun and sun from the water, paddleboarding is the perfect activity for you! There are many paddleboard rental companies along the lake, depending on what’s closest to you or your parking spot, but if you have your own you can bring them to the lake as well!