THE BEST Outdoor Activities in Austin (Updated 2025)

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THE BEST Outdoor Activities in Austin (Updated 2025)

Lavish Ride
Dec 19, 2023

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In the heart of Texas, the vibrant city of Austin beckons with a myriad of outdoor activities waiting to be explored. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, thrill-seeker, or someone simply looking to bask in the sunshine, Austin's outdoor wonders cater to all. From hiking trails that showcase the natural beauty surrounding the city to heart-pounding adventures that define the spirit of Austin outdoors, this article will explore 26 outdoor activities in Austin, Texas, that will make you embrace the outdoors with enthusiasm and joy. Join us as we delve into the realm of outdoor adventures Austin, Texas, and discover the diverse range of experiences available right at your doorstep. Whether you seek outdoor activities near Austin or want to immerse yourself in the vibrant landscape of the city, Austin's outdoor offerings are sure to captivate your senses. Get ready to lace up your hiking boots and dive into the excitement that awaits in this dynamic Texan metropolis.

Exploring Nature Trails and Parks

One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoor activities in Austin is to explore the nature trails and parks that the city has to offer. You can find scenic and diverse landscapes in parks Austin Texas, from urban green spaces to rugged hills, from lush forests to sparkling lakes. Whether you want to walk, run, bike on Austin trails, or paddle, you will find a trail or a park that suits your level and preference for Austin nature trails and outdoor activities Austin. Here are some of the most popular and beautiful nature trails and parks in Austin:

Discover the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Embark on an outdoor adventure as you discover the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, a 10-mile loop encircling Lady Bird Lake, the heart of Austin. Renowned as one of the most popular and beloved outdoor activities in Austin, this trail offers breathtaking views of the skyline, the water, and the bridges. Accessible from multiple points, including Zilker Park, Auditorium Shores, and the Long Center, the Austin boardwalk trail lake provides a scenic journey with its boardwalk section extending over the lake, allowing for a closer encounter with the vibrant wildlife and the indigenous plants. Immerse yourself in the beauty and dynamic energy of Austin outdoors by exploring the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail.

Paddle Adventures on Lady Bird Lake

For an unforgettable outdoor experience in Austin, explore paddle adventures on Lady Bird Lake, a gem nestled within the city. If you're eager to enjoy the waters of Lady Bird Lake Austin, consider renting a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or pedal boat from one of the many outfitters along the shores. Paddling on Lady Bird Lake presents a relaxing and enjoyable outdoor activity in Austin, offering a unique perspective of the city's natural beauty that you won't want to miss.

Dive into Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs Pool is a natural spring-fed pool that is located within Zilker Park, one of the best parks in Austin. Barton Springs is open year-round and maintains a constant temperature of about 68 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it refreshing in the summer and warm in the winter. Barton Springs Pool, Austin is a historic and iconic outdoor activity in Austin that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Hike the Scenic Greenbelt

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 12-mile trail that runs along Barton Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River. The trail offers a variety of terrain, from flat and easy to steep and rocky, and passes through some of the most scenic spots in Austin, such as the Twin Falls, the Sculpture Falls, and the Gus Fruh Pool. Austin Texas greenbelt is a paradise for hikers, bikers, climbers, and swimmers, who can enjoy the natural beauty and the adventure of the trail.

Ascend Mount Bonnell for Spectacular Views

Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin, at 775 feet above sea level. It is located on the western edge of the city, overlooking Lake Austin and the Hill Country. You can reach the summit by climbing a short but steep staircase, or by driving up to the parking lot. Mount Bonnell park is a romantic and scenic outdoor activity in Austin that you should not skip.

Thrilling Adventure Activities

If you are looking for some adrenaline-pumping outdoor activities in Austin, you will not be disappointed. The city offers a range of thrilling adventure activities that will challenge your skills and test your limits. Whether you want to soar above the trees, scale the rocks, paddle with the bats, cycle through the ranch, or cruise on the lake, you will find an adventure that suits your taste. Here are some of the most exciting and cool things to do in Austin:

Ziplining at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures

Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is the longest and fastest zipline in Austin, Texas, and one of the most exhilarating outdoor activities in Austin. You can experience the thrill of ziplining over Lake Travis, with speeds up to 60 mph and heights up to 280 feet. You can choose from five different ziplines, ranging from 250 to 2800 feet in length, and enjoy the spectacular views of the lake and the hill country. Lake Travis Zipline Adventures also offers a private beach, a picnic area, and a guided hike. Ziplining at Lake Travis Zipline Adventures is a must-do for adventure seekers in Austin.

Rock Climbing at Barton Creek Greenbelt

For Austin greenbelt climbing enthusiasts, Barton Creek Greenbelt is a prime spot. With 300+ bolted routes, 200+ boulder problems, and natural cracks, it's a haven for rock climbing in Austin, Texas. Dive into the thrill of climbing and complement it with swimming, hiking, and biking—making Barton Creek Greenbelt the ultimate destination for multifaceted outdoor activities in Austin.

Kayaking Tours at Congress Avenue Bat Bridge

Embark on one of the most unique and adventurous things to do in Austin with kayak bats Austin tours under the Congress Avenue Bat Bridge. Here, you'll witness the largest urban bat colony in North America. From March to October, over 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under the bridge, creating a spectacular nightly display. Opt for bat tours Austin kayaking adventures to get the best view, accompanied by informative insights into the bridge's history and the bats' fascinating behaviors. Kayaking tours at Congress Avenue Bat Bridge offer a captivating way to experience the wildlife and nightlife of Austin, Texas.

Cycling Adventures at Veloway

For Austin cycling enthusiasts seeking a bicycle park, the Veloway awaits. This 3.1-mile paved loop, nestled in southwest Austin and traversing the Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park, is exclusively dedicated to bicycles and rollerblades. Enjoy a smooth and scenic ride through gentle hills, curves, and turns, all while spotting wildlife like deer, rabbits, and birds along the way. Open from dawn to dusk and free to use, the Veloway promises relaxing and enjoyable cycling adventures in Austin.

Boating Excursions on Lake Travis

Explore Lake Travis boat tours, a quintessential outdoor activity in Austin. Whether you're seeking a serene Lake Travis boat cruise or adrenaline-pumping water sports, this picturesque destination caters to all. Rent a boat, jet ski, pontoon, sailboat, or even a yacht to navigate the lake at your leisure. For a curated experience, consider joining one of the guided Austin tours, such as a sunset cruise, party boat, or dinner cruise, where you can revel in the views, music, and delectable food. Lake Travis is not only perfect for boating but also offers opportunities for swimming, fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Boating excursions on Lake Travis present a thrilling and enjoyable way to immerse yourself in the outdoors in Austin.

Enjoying Outdoor Entertainment and Culture

Austin, renowned for its outdoor activities, offers a weekend filled with things to do in Austin, TX, blending nature, adventure, and cultural delights. Amidst the vibrant cityscape, you'll discover a plethora of outdoor activities in Austin designed to cater to artistic and musical tastes, as well as your sense of fun and wonder. Whether you're in the mood for live music, outdoor movies, nature exploration, or art appreciation, Austin has something to offer in the great outdoors. Explore the most enjoyable and cultural outdoor activities in Austin this weekend:

Attend ACL Fest and Blues on the Green Concerts

Austin is known as the Live Music Capital of the World, and one of the best ways to experience the music scene is to attend the outdoor concerts that the city hosts throughout the year. Two of the most famous and popular outdoor music events are the ACL Fest and the Blues on the Green. The ACL Fest, or the Austin City Limits Music Festival, is a three-day event that takes place in October at Zilker Park. It features over 130 bands and artists from various genres, such as rock, pop, hip-hop, country, and folk. The Blues on the Green is a free summer concert series that takes place on select Wednesdays at Zilker Park. It showcases local and regional blues musicians and attracts thousands of fans who bring their blankets, chairs, and coolers. Attending the ACL Fest and the Blues on the Green Austin concerts are some of the most fun and musical outdoor activities in Austin.

Outdoor Movie Nights at Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In

If you are a movie lover, you will love the outdoor movie nights at Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In, the world’s first boutique drive-in movie theater. You can watch classic and cult movies on a big screen, while sitting in your car or on a lawn chair. You can also enjoy the snacks and drinks from the concession stand, or bring your own. The Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In has two locations in Austin, one in Mueller and one in Buda. You can check the schedule and book your Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In in Austin tx tickets online. Outdoor movie nights at Blue Starlite Mini Urban Drive-In are a nostalgic and entertaining outdoor activity in Austin.

Nature Nights at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

If you want to learn more about Texas' native flora and wildlife, you can go to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre, a botanical garden and research center dedicated to maintaining and appreciating the state's natural beauty. Outdoor activities at the Wildflower Centre include guided tours, workshops, and exhibits. Nature Nights, which are free family-friendly events held on select Thursdays throughout the summer, are one of the most unique and instructive outdoor activities. Nature Nights at Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center are a great way to explore and appreciate the outdoors in Austin.

Art and Sculpture at Laguna Gloria and Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

Laguna Gloria, situated on the shoreline of Lake Austin, is a historic estate and museum. The estate showcases a compilation of contemporary sculpture and art throughout its grounds and gardens. You may appreciate the artworks while strolling along the trails, or you may participate in a workshop or guided tour. The Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum is a park and museum devoted to the sculptures of the renowned American sculptor Charles Umlauf. The park is adorned with more than fifty bronze, stone, wood, and marble sculptures that are dispersed throughout the trees and pools.

Water Adventures and Aquatic Fun

person surfing on wave during daytime

Austin is endowed with an abundance of water resources, including lakes, rivers, springs, and pools, which provide water enthusiasts with a variety of outdoor activities. With Austin's clear and invigorating waters, one can sunbathe, fish, snorkel, swim and scuba dive, among other activities. You can find a water activity that suites your disposition, whether it be to cool off, unwind, or have some fun. Here are some of the most amazing and aquatic outdoor activities in Austin:

Swim and sunbathe at Barton Springs Pool

The natural spring-fed Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park, one of the best parks in Austin, is one of the most famous and well-known outdoor activities in the city. Over the course of the year, the pool stays at a steady 68 degrees Fahrenheit, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You can relax and have a picnic on the grassy areas and under the trees that circle the pool. Barton Springs Pool is a historic and beautiful outdoor activity in Austin that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Water Recreation at Lady Bird Lake

Located in the center of Austin, Lady Bird Lake, formerly known as Town Lake, is a reservoir on the Colorado River. Offering a range of water sports and activities like kayaking, canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, pedal boating, rowing, and fishing, it's one of Austin's most picturesque and enjoyable outdoor pursuits. Water recreation at Lady Bird Lake is a relaxing and enjoyable outdoor activity in Austin that you should not miss.

Boating and Water Sports on Lake Travis

Lake Travis is the largest and deepest of the Highland Lakes, a system of reservoirs on the Colorado River that supply water and power to Austin and the surrounding communities. It is also one of the most enjoyable and thrilling outdoor activities in Austin, as it provides a variety of boating and water sports, including sailing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, and parasailing. You can explore the lake at your own leisure by renting a boat, a jet ski, a pontoon, a sailboat, or a yacht.

Explore Swimming Holes and Water Parks in Austin

If you're seeking for more water adventures and aquatic fun in Austin, check out the city's swimming holes and water parks. Some of the most beautiful and refreshing swimming holes in and around Austin include Hamilton Pool, Krause Springs, Blue Hole, Jacob's Well, and Barton Creek. These swimming holes are natural pools fed by springs, creeks, or rivers and include pure water, rugged cliffs, waterfalls, and caverns. These water parks have slides, rides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and splash pads.

Family-Friendly Outdoor Activities

With an abundance of outdoor activities suitable for both children and adults, Austin is an excellent destination for a family vacation. There are enjoyable, educational, exploratory, and soothing outdoor activities available for the entire family. You will discover something enjoyable in the great outdoors, whether your objective is to engage in mini-golf, learn about nature, or experience a picnic. Here are some of the most family-friendly outdoor activities in Austin:

Family Picnics at Zilker Park

Zilker Park is one of the most family-friendly outdoor activities in Austin and one of the city's finest parks. The park encompasses 350 acres and features an assortment of amenities and attractions, including trails, sports fields, picnic areas, and playgrounds. You may purchase food and beverages from the concession stands or bring your own to enjoy on the grassy slopes or beneath the shaded trees. Additionally, one may behold balloons and trains while taking in the panorama of the lake and the cityscape.

Interactive Learning at Austin Nature and Science Center

The center has a number of exhibits and programs that are intended to pique people's interest in nature and science. Explore the indoor and outdoor displays, including the Dino Pit, Naturalist Workshop, Wildlife Pond, and Birds of Prey. You can also engage with actual animals, including reptiles, mammals, and birds. In addition, the center provides camps, seminars, and events for children and families.

Mini-Golf Fun at Peter Pan Mini-Golf

If you're searching for some wacky outdoor activities in Austin, check out Peter Pan Mini-Golf, a family-owned and run business that has been in operation since 1948. The East Course and the West Course are both 18-hole courses with colorful and eccentric hazards including a big T-Rex, a pirate ship, a serpent, and, of course, Peter Pan.

Educational Visits to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Centre, a botanical garden and research facility devoted to conserving and honoring the state's natural beauty, is an excellent destination for those interested in learning more about the state's native flora and animals. Exhibits, workshops, and guided excursions are among the many outdoor activities provided by the center. Join a guided tour or a workshop, or take a leisurely stroll through the gardens while admiring the flora.

Unique Austin Experiences

Austin presents a variety of distinctive and indelible outdoor pursuits that are not available in any other location. Austin's history, culture, wildlife, and landscapes can be encountered in a thrilling and novel manner. You will discover something to awe and delight you in the great outdoors, whether your interests include admiring the artwork, strolling along the promenade, or exploring the waterfalls. Here are some of the most unique and memorable outdoor activities in Austin:

Bat Watching at Congress Avenue Bridge

The Congress Avenue Bridge, colloquially referred to as the Bat Bridge, is an exceptional location for an exceptional and one-of-a-kind outdoor experience in Austin. More than 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats populate the bridge's void from March to October, making it the site of the most extensive urban bat colony in North America. An impressive spectacle ensues each evening at sunset as bats ascend from beneath the bridge in pursuit of insects.

Visit the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk

Visit the 10-mile Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk, which circles Lady Bird Lake in Austin's heart, for a unique and gorgeous outdoor experience. Walkers, runners, bikers, and paddlers use the route and boardwalk for its skyline, river, and bridge vistas. The trail and boardwalk are accessible from Zilker Park, Auditorium Shores, and the Long Centre. Visit the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail and Boardwalk to enjoy Austin's beauty and liveliness.

Explore McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park, situated in southeast Austin, is a state park that provides an opportunity to admire nature and history while escaping the city. Onion Creek, a tributary of the Colorado River, provides the water for the park's Upper Falls and Lower Falls. On the trails, you can paddleboard, hike, fish or camp, while at the falls you can picnic or swim.

Cultural Exploration at Congress Avenue Bridge Bats and Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum

A very distinctive and cultural outdoor experience is a visit to the Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum, a museum and park devoted to the sculptures of the well-known American sculptor Charles Umlauf. Throughout the park's trees and ponds are more than fifty sculptures composed of marble, stone, wood, and bronze. The sculptures are part of the museum. The park and museum are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; there is a nominal admission fee. You shouldn't miss the unique and lovely outdoor cultural exploration experience at Umlauf Sculpture Garden & Museum in Austin.

Outdoor Activities in Austin

Austin is a city that offers a wide range of outdoor activities for everyone. Whether you are looking for nature, adventure, entertainment, or culture, you will find something to suit your taste in Austin. You can enjoy the trails, the parks, the lakes, the waterfalls, the concerts, the movies, the gardens, the museums, and more in the outdoors. You can also experience some unique and unforgettable outdoor activities, such as watching the bats, ziplining over the lake, kayaking with the bats, and admiring the sculptures. Austin is a city that will make you embrace the outdoors with excitement and joy.