City: Austin, TX

Category: Parks & Recreation

Insider Pick:

Description: This is one of the city’s most popular, and most crowded, greenbelts. The trail follows Barton Creek through the canyon that cuts across Southwest Austin. Barton Creek has 6 official access points, called trailheads, and one very popular unofficial entry. The designated trailheads are at Zilker Park, west of Barton Springs Pool; the intersection of Spyglass Drive and Barton Skyway; 2010 Homedale Dr., behind Barton Hills Elementary School; the Gus Fruh Access at 2642 Barton Hills Dr.; the Brodie Oaks office complex, off Loop 360 west of Lamar Boulevard; and the intersection of Camp Craft Road and Scottish Woods Trail. The Gus Fruh and Brodie Oaks access points are wheelchair accessible. The unofficial access point is easily spotted on a balmy weekend afternoon. The shoulder of the access road leading from Loop 360 (Capital of Texas Highway) onto MoPac south is lined with cars. Just a few yards away, a wide stretch of the creek creates a swimming hole that attracts large crowds on warm days.