Austin
Texas has tons of recreational activities for the outdoor
enthusiast. Since Austin is so close to the Colorado
River, water activities are plentiful. The crystal blue waters
of Lake Travis are a Mecca for fishing, boating, windsurfing,
and skiing enthusiasts. You will also find plenty of
activities you can do on dry land. Take a bike ride on
the numerous trails that wind their way through Austin, try
exploring Central Texas on horseback, explore the hill country
or test your strength and stamina by doing a little rock
climbing.
Outdoor Recreation
Barton Springs Pool - 2201-1/2 Barton Springs Road in Zilker Park,
(512) 867-3080. Springfed water at a constant 68 degrees gushes
up from the Edwards Aquifer and fill's Austin's favorite swimming
pool. Water enthusiasts swim year-round in the 1,000 foot long
pool. Admission is charged mid-March through October. Swim on
your own from November through mid-March.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park - RM 2222, west of Loop 360,
(512) 474-9692. Here at Austin's largest park the public can launch
their boats on Lake Austin. With boat ramps and camping facilities,
Emma Long draws boaters and water skiers throughout Austin's
milder months.
Hamilton Pool Preserve - About 30 miles from Austin off Highway
71, (512) 264-2740. This unique natural area surrounds a pool and
a grotto that were formed when the dome of an underground river
collapsed thousands of years ago. A lush, diverse plant community
and a variety of wildlife species occupy the grotto and downstream
area. These features attracted the area's first known inhabitants who
left cultural artifacts dated nearly 6,000 years ago. Hours:
9am-6pm; no entry after 5:30. Admission.
Karst Nature Preserve - 3900 Deer Lane, (512) 480-3060. Karst is
a 10-acre preserve situated over the Edwards Recharge Zone
featuring caves, sinkholes, honeycomb outcrops, and a gently
winding, one eighth mile, 20-minute trail. Karst originally referred to
a limestone plateau in Germany, but now the word is used to mean
any area with limestone rocks, deep fractures, and caves that feed
rain water directly into underground lakes and streams.
Mayfield Park and Preserve - 3505 West 35th Street, (512)
480-3060. Mayfield Park is a 22-acre park and preserve on the
Barrow Brook Cove of Lake Austin. The park grounds include the
preserve woods, a series of five lily ponds and a home
representative of turn-of-the-century suburban lake cottage retreats.
Peacocks and hens roam freely and trails meander through the
woods and across the creeks over bridges and footstones.
West Cave Preserve - FM 3238, 830-825-3442. This 30-acre
natural area is home to many rare and endangered plants and serves
as a sanctuary for the golden-cheeked warbler and other birds. The
preserve also showcases grassland Savannah with wild flower
meadows and stands of ashe juniper and live oak. Weather
permitting, tours are available at 10am, Noon, 2pm, and 4pm.
Saturday and Sunday.
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve - 805 North Capital of Texas
Highway-1.5 miles north of Bee Caves Road on Loop 360 North,
(512) 327-7622. A 227-acre showcase for native grasses,
wildflowers, trees, wildlife, and ecology. Open daily. Free
admission.
Austin's network of hike-and-bike trails - weaves for 30 miles
through quiet meadows, past restaurants and across bridges. For
maps and information, call the Austin Parks and Recreation
Department at 477-PARD.
Waller Creek Walkway - 0.75 mile, granite gravel, concrete, brick;
Waterloo Park area (15th Street south to 10th Street) 0.25 mile,
granite gravel, concrete, brick: Lower Waller Creek Development
(10th Street south to Town Lake), 0.5 mile, granite gravel,
concrete, brick.
Saddlecreek Crossing at Reunion Ranch - Offers a real Texas
alternative for corporate evening affairs, convention groups, holiday
parties and business meetings. The ranch specializes in groups from
100 to 600 guests. Their production will create a portrait of the Old
West with gunslingers, trophy longhorn, saloon gals,
country-western bands, a bonfire with singing cowboys and much
more. (512) 515-6200
Formed by dams along the Colorado River - the Highland Lakes are seven
lake chain that flows through 150 miles of the Hill Country: Lake
Buchanan; Inks Lake, connected to Lake Lyndon B. Johnson by 15 miles
of river; Lake Marble Falls; Lake Travis; Lake Austin and Town Lake.
The Highland Lakes provide some of the state's best water sports,
camping and scenery.
Austin
Texas has tons of recreational activities for the outdoor
enthusiast. Since Austin is so close to the Colorado
River, water activities are plentiful. The crystal blue waters
of Lake Travis are a Mecca for fishing, boating, windsurfing,
and skiing enthusiasts. You will also find plenty of
activities you can do on dry land. Take a bike ride on
the numerous trails that wind their way through Austin, try
exploring Central Texas on horseback, explore the hill country
or test your strength and stamina by doing a little rock
climbing.