Top 19 Outdoor Activities in Austin, TX

When you think about Austin, Texas, spending time on the water isn’t usually one of the first things to come to mind. But in reality, the city boasts several calm lakes that are perfect for water recreation. From Lake Austin and Lake Travis to Lady Bird Lake and Lake Walter E. Long, there are many spots you can hop on a paddleboard and adventure by oar. Lady Bird Lake is one of the most popular locations for stand-up paddleboarding as motorized boats aren’t allowed on the lake, which makes it much safer for paddlers. There are lots of places to rent paddle boards near Lady Bird Lake and the others, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own from home. 

Nature lovers are sure to fall head-over-heels for Palmetto State Park as it features the only tropical vegetation in the entire state of Texas. Austin is filled with architectural beauty, live music, and good food, but many people forget to immerse themselves in the city’s natural beauty. At Palmetto State Park, visitors will find lots of different trails, including the Palmetto Interpretive Trail, which only takes around half-an-hour to complete and introduces outdoor enthusiasts to flora and fauna that can be found in the park. It’s easy to spend the entire day at the park, so make sure you pack a picnic, lots of water, and dress appropriately for hiking and walking.

This 14.2-mile trail travels through South Austin and is incredibly popular among athletes and outdoor enthusiasts living in and visiting the city. Because it is considered a moderately challenging trail, it’s best to have some prior experience with hiking before embarking on your journey. The Barton Creek Greenbelt features tons of access points, a creek where humans and dogs can swim, and two waterfalls. Visitors who prefer biking over walking and hiking can also rent bikes and tackle the greenbelt on two wheels as there are tons of trails suitable for cycling.

Texas Trail Rides offer ranch trail rides on horseback on 600+ acres of outdoor wilderness. This is a great activity if you’re wanting to bring out your inner cowboy or cowgirl, or if you’re traveling to Austin with kids. By signing up for a guided tour with Texas Trail Rides, you can travel on miles of fields, trails, and through creeks on an adorable horse’s back.

Mount Bonnell, otherwise known as Covert Park, is a popular spot among locals and visitors seeking an impressive view of Austin. When you’re at the top of the landmark, you can see the entire city, Lake Austin, and surrounding hills. To get to Mount Bonnell, there is some walking required, approximately half a mile but the elevation gain isn’t anything too daunting. It takes around 11 minutes to tackle the trail to the lookout spot, which is 775-feet above sea level. Pack a picnic, cribbage board and some cards, a blanket, and plan to stay at the park for a while!

Butler Pitch & Putt claims that it isn’t your typical golf course -- it’s much more fun. Because it’s not a full course, pitch & putt is perfect for visitors who haven’t golfed before and families. No tee time is required, which means you can visit the 9-hole course whenever convenient. The pitch & putt is located in Downtown Austin and even has a beer garden, clubhouse with sandwiches and beverages available for purchase, and a food truck called Gimme Burger on-site. Butler Pitch & Putt is also dog-friendly but they must be kept on leash. 

When you’re on vacation, it’s nice to even out the amount of costly adventures with some free ones, which makes park-hopping a great option. Zilker Park is considered Austin’s most-loved park, spanning over 350-acres, right off of Lady Bird Lake. At the park, you’ll find a botanical garden and tons of grassy areas where you can have a picnic, sun tan, or kick around a soccer ball or throw a frisbee. And make sure you pack your bathing suit as there are some wonderful spots to dip into the water to cool off. Pups are welcome at Zilker Park but must be kept on-leash.

Visiting this 21-acre natural area is truly a unique experience and will only take an hour or two, leaving plenty of time for other activities. Mayfield Park Preserve features a historic garden, beautiful gardens that are worthy of a photoshoot, walking trails, and a wildlife habitat. There are several peacocks that wander the Mayfield Park Preserve and if you’re lucky, you’ll see one spread its colorful feathers. Visitors are welcome to enjoy this natural area seven days a week at no cost.

When you’re on a bike, it’s easier to cover more sightseeing than if you were on foot, which is why renting bikes for a day or two will ensure you see all that Austin has to offer. There are tons of bike rental shops in the city, so once you’ve found the place that suits your needs and budget, hop on and hit the boardwalk. You’ll get to see the beautiful sights of Downtown Austin from all angles and once you’ve worked up a real sweat, you can pull up to a restaurant patio for a snack and cold beverage.

This certainly isn’t your regular man-made, rec center pool --Barton Springs Pool is made up of four natural water springs that flow through the Edwards Aquifer. Because it’s a popular spot for a dip among locals and visitors, they do require entry passes in order to control the amount of people enjoying the springs. It is located on the grounds of Zilker Park and provides families, groups of friends, or solo travelers with the perfect way to cool down on a hot Austin day.

Bird lovers absolutely need to pencil in a stop at the Colorado River trail during their trip to Austin. There is a 3.5-mile path that offers prime viewing for bald eagles, osprey, and other birds that pass through Central Texas. Austin is known for its diverse and carried migratory species, so of course, there are multiple places to observe some cool birds. While a sewage plant seems like a strange place to go birdwatching, the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant is surrounded by ponds that are frequented by more than 370 species like shorebirds and waterfowl, woodpeckers, raptors, songbirds, and other fauna.

There really are no shortages of gorgeous parks in Austin, Texas, so be prepared to spend a good chunk of time relaxing on a blanket, taking in the views. McKinney Falls State Park has got to be one of the finest parks in the city, boasting meandering trails, areas for bouldering, creeks for swimming, and even some great spots to go fishing for catfish and bass. The state park is open daily, and tickets are required for entry so that they can monitor the capacity of those who are enjoying the park. The 641-acre park is filled with several incredible spots to swim so don’t forget to pack your bathing suit, along with a picnic blanket, running shoes, and refreshments.

In addition to its flourishing bird population, Austin is known for its bats -- yes, bats! Depending on when you’re visiting the city, you might be lucky enough to catch thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerging from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge. When the sun goes down, an impressive amount of bats head out in hopes to find food. Because this is such a spectacle, the bridge can get quite busy so it’s best to arrive early to claim your spot. If you’re wanting to make the experience even more memorable, get a different vantage point from kayaking, boating, or paddleboarding on the water below the bridge. The bats typically come out in the evenings from late spring to early fall.

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