7.25-mile (11.67 km) stretch of public land that begins at Zilker Park and stretches South/Southwest to "The Hill of Life". Characterized by large limestone cliffs, dense foliage, and shallow bodies of water
General Information
To Violet Crown Trail, Zilker Park Trail Head: Head north on Congress Ave toward E 6th St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto W 6th St. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto N Lamar Blvd. Turn right onto Barton Springs Rd. Turn left onto William Barton Dr.
To Spyglass Trailhead: Take W Cesar Chavez St and TX-1 Loop S to Barton Skyway. Follow Barton Skyway to Spyglass Dr.
To Gus Fruh Trailhead: Head north on Congress Ave toward E 6th St. Turn left at the 1st cross street onto W 6th St. Use the left 2 lanes to turn left onto N Lamar Blvd. Turn right onto Barton Springs Rd. Turn left onto Azie Morton Rd. Turn right onto Barton Hills Dr.
To Twin Falls Trailhead: Get on TX-1 Loop S. Follow TX-1 Loop S to Frontage Rd. Take the exit toward TX-360Loop N/Capital of Tx Hwy from TX-1 Loop S. Continue on Frontage Rd.
Overview
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 7.25-mile stretch of protected parkland running from Zilker Park south to the "Hill of Life" near Westlake, managed by Austin's Parks and Recreation Department. Carved by spring-fed Barton Creek through Hill Country limestone, the Greenbelt is one of Austin's favorite outdoor escapes, prized for its swimming holes, hiking and mountain biking trails, and dramatic cliffs for rock climbing.
History
Barton Creek is named for William Barton, who built a home near Barton Springs in 1837; the springs later became a popular local swimming spot, formalized into a pool in the 1930s. In 1994, The Nature Conservancy established the roughly 4,000-acre Barton Creek Habitat Preserve along the upper creek, protecting old-growth woodlands and species such as the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo.
Popular Attractions and Activities
Swimming Holes
Spring-fed swimming holes are the Greenbelt's biggest draw, though water levels vary with recent rainfall.
- Twin Falls – A multi-tiered swimming spot near the northern trailheads.
- Campbell's Hole – A popular deep pool for swimming and cliff jumping.
- Sculpture Falls – Known for its natural rock formations.
- Gus Fruh and The Flats – Additional swimming areas along the creek.
Hiking and Mountain Biking
Trails run the length of the Greenbelt through the Lower and Upper sections and Barton Creek Wilderness Park, popular with hikers and mountain bikers year-round.
- Trails cross the creek bed repeatedly, so wet-season crossings can be more difficult for bikers.
- Multiple trailheads, including Zilker Park, Spyglass, Gus Fruh, and Twin Falls, offer easy access points.
Rock Climbing and Tubing
The Greenbelt's limestone cliffs draw Austin's climbers, and after heavy rain the creek rises enough for tubing, kayaking, and cliff diving.
- The annual "Tubin' the Belt" event brings hundreds of tubers down the creek each spring.
- Barton Springs Pool, at the Greenbelt's north end, offers swimming year-round.
Visitor Highlights
| Activity | Description |
|---|---|
| Swimming Holes | Cool off at Twin Falls, Campbell's Hole, Sculpture Falls, and other spring-fed pools. |
| Hiking & Biking | Explore miles of trails through limestone canyons and Hill Country woodland. |
| Rock Climbing | Scale limestone cliffs along the Lower Greenbelt. |
| Tubing & Kayaking | Float or paddle the creek when water levels are high enough. |
| Wildlife Watching | Look for golden-cheeked warblers and other species in the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve. |
Best Time to Visit
| Time | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| Spring | Wildflowers, a flowing creek, and the annual "Tubin' the Belt" event. |
| Summer | Warm weather draws crowds to the swimming holes; water levels can run low. |
| Fall & Winter | Cooler temperatures, ideal for hiking and rock climbing. |
| After Heavy Rain | Deeper water opens up tubing, kayaking, and cliff diving, though currents can run strong. |
Why Visit the Barton Creek Greenbelt?
- Cool off at spring-fed swimming holes just minutes from downtown Austin.
- Hike or bike miles of trails through limestone canyons and Hill Country woods.
- Rock climb or cliff jump along dramatic limestone bluffs.
- Spot rare wildlife in a protected habitat preserve.
This article is based on publicly available information about Austin's Barton Creek Greenbelt, as well as material from the Wikipedia articles "Barton Creek" and "Barton Creek Greenbelt", used under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
