Austin, Texas ranked as one of the fittest cities in the county. It’s undeniable that the natural beauty it holds as well as the area’s warm climate and sunshine attracts both locals and tourists to explore outdoor activities in Austin. If you’re thinking about what to do this weekend, here are the top fun outdoor activities in Austin, TX!
1. Swimming Holes
During the hot summer, one of the best ways to beat the heat is to take a plunge in the pool. From natural pools and local greenbelts, Austin has an abundant number of these bodies of water in every region. The spring-fed Barton Springs is a crowd favorite with a temperature that hovers between 68F to 74F. It’s one of the swimming holes in Austin that can be conveniently accessed just a few minutes away from downtown.
30 miles to the west of Austin, you can find Krause Springs, a popular camping and swimming site in Spicewood with over 32 springs in the property including natural and man-made pools. Deep Eddy Pool is another man-made historic swimming pool popular with adults and children that also movie nights and sporting events during summer. Within Barton Creek Greenbelt lies another Campbell’s Hole. A family swimming hole that has a small cliff for diving and beach sandbars.
2. Hiking
There are plenty of hiking trails in Austin where you can run, jog, or hike. Many of Austin’s hiking trails run along with bodies of water, some are located in the highest point offering gorgeous panoramic views of the city and areas nearby. One of the known areas to hike in Austin is the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a 10-mile trail located near the Lady Bird Lake bookended by two major recreational areas – Zilker Park to the west and the Guerrero Park on the east.
The Barton Creek Greenbelt also has over 12 miles of trail which includes main trails and access seven access points to get in the Greenbelt. Hike to the highest point in Austin to witness the wonderful scenery or watch the sunrise and sunset at Covert Park at Mount Bonnell. A few miles away from Austin, Dripping Springs boasts its beautiful swimming holes with numerous hiking trails at the Hamilton Pool Preserve.
3. Biking and Cycling
Most areas near downtown Austin are bike-friendly. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Austin is home to several biking trails where you can find paths that will suit your experience level. Veloway located at the south is a paved track in Circle C Ranch — this area is only for bikers, cyclists, and people on rollerblades only, not even pedestrians are allowed! Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of the popular areas for mountain biking, a great opportunity for intermediate bikers.
For beginners, Walnut Creek Trail is a great place to learn with a variety of paths to explore. Austin’s most technical trail is located at Emma Long Metropolitan Park where advanced bikers and cyclists can enjoy the thrill of the trail in the area, motorbikes are also allowed! To the north of Austin at the Brushy Creek Regional Trail lies a 6.75-mile trail that alternates between concrete and stone and offers amenities for those that would like to relax after biking.
4. Water Activities
Rivers and lakes are here and there in Austin. Countless waterways surround the area so there are plenty of water activities for locals and visitors to enjoy. Besides the swimming holes, paddling, kayaking, cruising on the lake are popular water activities in Austin. Experience the luxury lifestyle by renting a yacht at the Lake Travis Yacht Rentals and take your friends and family on one of the finest yachts in Austin.
Cruise at Lake Austin with the Lone Star Riverboat that offers sightseeing cruises to witness the spectacular free-tailed bats under the bridge in Congress Ave. By downtown at Lady Bird Lake, you can also find kayak and paddleboard rentals. Rent a boat and hit the water at Lake Travis where you can find over 25 boat rentals from stand-up paddleboards, jet skis, kayaks, wakeboard boats, sailboats, and more!
Austin is a wonderful place to visit and live in especially if you’re up for the adventure it offers, we hope that this list of fun outdoor activities in Austin will help you in looking for your next adventure! Thinking of moving to Austin? Get our FREE Austin Relocation Guide to know more about the area. Looking for homes in Austin? Browse Austin homes for sale here!
