Whether
you are looking for world class golf courses, a quiet bike or hiking
trail, a rock to climb, Austin has it all. There is a great variety of
outdoor activities to choose from which makes Austin a perfect place
for Austin's active lifestyle.
Here we have information on cycling, hiking, climbing, races,
marathons, golf, disc golf, sports clubs, tennis, bowling, putt-putt
golf, rock climbing, Parks and Recreation Centers, and swimming.
CYCLING, HIKING, AND CLIMBING
For people
who like to hike, bike and climb, Austin is a year-round playground!
With soaring cliffs, trails with turns and twists, and designated road
ways for cyclists, you’re sure to find the terrain for your extreme
inner child.
Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike TrailMopac to
Congress Ave./Congress Ave. to Pleasant Valley Rd. It is 10.1 miles
long and one of the oldest urban Texas hike and bike paths, stretching
the entire length of Lady Bird itself. The hike and bike trail is a
real jewel and is used by Austinites all times of the day. There is
plenty enough room for cyclists, moms with baby strollers, joggers,
walkers, and walkers with pets! The trail provides great views of the
city and lake. There is a spot to feed the ducks and turtles.
Austin Bicycle Cabs -- Urban Transportation Services Call for a Ride - 203.3369
Austin Bike Routes-- Find your way around town. Maps of trails and routes throughout the Austin area.
Austin Bicycle and Pedestrian Program
The purpose of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Program is to integrate
bicycles and walking into the transportation system of the City of
Austin.
Texas Bicycling Organization Texas Bicycle Coalition
Involved in advocacy and education on a statewide level. Chapters in major Texas cities.
Established rides in the Austin Area.
Many of the Austin's neighborhood parks feature 9 and 18 hole folf (disc golf) courses. So, come pitch a Frisbee!
Austin Recreation Center
1301 Shoal Creek Boulevard
512.476.5662 Bartholomew Park
5201 Berkman Drive
512.974.6700 Mary Moore Searight Park
907 Slaughter Old Settlers Park 3300 Palm Valley Road
Round Rock Pease Park 1100 Kingsbury Street Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park
5507 Slaughter Lane Wells Branch Greenbelt Wells Branch Parkway at Wells Port Drive
512.251.9814 Zilker Park
2100 Barton Springs Road
Throughout the city, you can find many public and private tennis
courts. In addition to the abundant courts, there are a vast array of
tennis related services, from lessons, to leagues, to tournaments. Click here for an interactive map of tennis courts in Austin.
Score a strike at any one
of Austin’s area bowling alleys. With friendly crowds, stocked snack
bars and plenty of pins to knock down, you’re sure to find fun the
whole family can enjoy.
Dart Bowl
5700 Grover Ave.
459.4181
Highland Lanes 8909 Burnet Rd.
458.1215
Main Event 13301 N. US Hwy 183
401.0000
Texas Union Underground 24th St. & Guadalupe St. (2247 Guadalupe)
475.6670
Interstate Lanes
3101 N I H 35 Round Rock, TX 78664
255.8826
Saengerrunde Bowling Alley
1607 San Jacinto Blvd. (Members Only)
478.1411
Westgate Lanes
2701 W. William Cannon
441.2695
AMF Showplace Lanes "Vegas lounge" style
9504 N. I-35
834.7733
PUTT-PUTT GOLF
Have fun while working on your putting
skills at one of Austin’s fine miniature golf courses. These
beautifully landscaped courses offer clean greens and obstacles to
challenge even the most seasoned golfers.
Austin’s Park ‘n Pizza 16231 North IH-35
512.670.9600
Peter Pan Mini-Golf
1207 Barton Springs Rd.
472.1033
Butler Park Pitch & Putt
W. Riverside and 201 Lee Barton Dr.
477.4430
Main Event 13301 N. US Hwy 183
512.401.0000
Putt Putt Golf & Games
301 Chisolm Trl., Round Rock
255.3866
ROCK CLIMBING
Parks: Bull Creek, Barton Creek Greenbelt, McKinney Falls State Park, Pace Bend Park
The Parks and Recreation Department offers a wide variety of programs
at the following centers. Programs are for children, adults, and
seniors and include dance, fitness, table games, gymnastics, tiny tots,
boxing, karate, team sport leagues, and more. For more information
visit Parks & Recreation Department Recreation Centers.
RECREATION CENTERS:
Alamo Recreation Center
2100 Alamo St. 474-2806
Austin Recreation Center
1301 Shoal Creek
476-5662 Camacho Activity Center
34 Robert T. Martinez Jr. St.
391-1863 Cantu/Pan Am Recreation Center
2100 E. 3rd St.
476-9193 Dittmar Recreation Center
1009 Dittmar
441-4777 Doris Miller Auditorium
2300 Rosewood Ave.
476-4118 Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
2803 Loyola Ln.
926-3491 Dove Springs Recreation Center
5801 Ainez Dr.
447-5875 Givens Recreation Center
3811 E. 12th
928-1982 Hancock Recreation Center
811 E. 41st St.
453-7765 McBeth Recreation Center
2401-A Columbus Dr
974-9011 Metz Recreation Center
2407 Canterbury
478-8716 Montopolis Recreation Center
1200 Montopolis
385-5931 Northwest Recreation Center
2913 Northland Dr.
458-4107 Parque Zaragoza Recreation Center
2608 Gonzales St.
472-7142 Pickfair Communtiy Center 1182 10904 Pickfair Drive
401-8119
Rosewood Recreation Center
1182 Pleasant Valley Rd.
472-6838 South Austin Recreation Center
1100 Cumberland
444-6601 Virginia L. Brown Recreation Center
7500 Blessing Avenue
974-7865
SWIMMING
The
Aquatic Division operates 48 public pool facilities, which includes: 27
neighborhood pools, 12 wading pools, 2 water playscapes, 6 municipal
pools, the Emma Long waterfront, and Barton Springs Pool.
BARTON SPRINGS POOL
2101 Barton Springs Road (In Zilker Park) Map
512.476.9044
Many people think Barton Springs is not only the best swimming spot in
Austin, but also the best swimming spot on earth. The 1,100 ft. long, 3
acre, spring-fed pool is one of the largest non-chlorinated swimming
pools in the country. It averages 68 degrees year round. You can find
ducks, bass, crawfish, and double-crested cormorants splashing
alongside the swimmers. Barton Springs was created millions of years
ago as a result of a landshift that created the Balcones Fault. Native
Americans called the springs Sacred Springs and came to the springs to
heal their wounds. Over the years, it has become a very popular spot
for Austinites and their visitors. There is a shallow end for children,
a deep area for floating, a diving board, and room for lap swimmers.
It is open year round and closed on Thursdays for cleaning. There is a
small charge.
DEEP EDDY POOL 401 Deep Eddy Drive at Lake Austin Boulevard Map
512.476.4521 Deep Eddy Pool Schedule
Lap swimmers have their own pool, kids can frolic to their heart's
content, and sunbathers can enjoy the cool water and massive cottonwood
trees of Deep Eddy Pool. It is the state's oldest swimming pool. It
originated as a natural swimming hole on the Colorado River before Lady
Bird Lake existed. The concrete pool was constructed in 1915 and was
the first outdoor pool in Texas. At that time, there were cabins,
camping areas, and even a ferris wheel. A variety of performances
including a diving horse were popular attractions. Today, the
spring-fed pool is popular for lap swimming and wading. During summer,
a large movie screen is set up for pool-side Splash Party Movie Nights.
Float in the pool while enjoying family films! There is a small charge.
STACY POOL
800 E. Live Oak Map
512.476.4521
Stacy Pool is the place to swim during cold weather because it is
heated by a natural warm spring. (The water is a mixture of city water
and 100 degree well pumped water, resulting in a pool temperature
average of 80 degrees.) It is not a large pool but it is popular with
swimmers, especially lap swimmers. It is run by the city's aquatics
department. Admission is free.
HAMILTON POOL PRESERVE Hamilton Pool Preserve has a sandy beach, a 75-ft
waterfall, and a huge rock formation that can be explored from a path
that circles the pool. Cliff Swallows live above the pool in tiny nests
and are seen constantly coming and going. The park also has good hiking
trails. Hamilton Pool is located approximately 30 miles southwest of
Austin.
Take Highway 71 west of Austin and turn left onto FM 3828 (Hamilton
Pool Road). Travel 13 miles to the Preserve entrance, which is on your
right. Call 512.264.2740 for swimming conditions before you come.
Admission charge.
SAN MARCOS RIVER
The San Marcos River is about a 30-minute drive from Austin. Fed by San
Marcos Springs, there are several spots that are popular along the
river. Tube it, snorkel it, or swim it! The falls below Peppers
Restaurant have long been a favorite of the locals. Along the river,
you can spot rare plants, turtles, and fish.
SCULPTURE FALLS ON BARTON CREEK
This is a beautiful spot when the creek is flowing. Located about 1.3
miles upstream of the MoPac bridge and is accessible by walking or
cycling. City curfew on trails is from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. To view
a photo, click here.
KRAUSE SPRINGS IN SPICEWOOD
Krause Springs is one of the best yet least-known swimming spots in
Central Texas. It is privately owned, and it has a regular cement
swimming pool as well as a rustic swimming spot on Little Cypress
Creek. Overnight camping is available. Take Highway 71 west to
Spicewood. Look for the signs on the right. Call 210.693.4181 for more
information. Map
HIPPIE HOLLOW Hippie Hollow is one of the few public swimming spots in
Texas where clothing is optional. It is also one of the best places to
see the rare black-capped vireo, an endangered bird. The Park features
a steep, rocky shoreline and provides spectacular views of Lake Travis.
No one under 18 is admitted. From FM 620, go west 1.5 miles on Comanche
Trail just past the Oasis Restaurant. Call Travis County Parks at
512.473.9437. Map.
BLUE HOLE IN GEORGETOWN
Located on the San Gabriel River, the Blue Hole is a small but
well-worth visiting swimming spot. Nearby there is a grassy area on the
riverbank for picnics. From the Williamson County Courthouse in
Georgetown, go north on U.S. 81 (also called Austin Avenue), turn left
on 2nd Street, then right on Rock Street to the river. Admission is
free. (The Blue Hole has been closed temporarily due to damages
received from spring '08 flooding.)
BLUE HOLE IN WIMBERLEY 333 Blue Hole Lane
Wimberley, Texas Located on Cypress Creek, one quarter mile east of the
town square, is the Blue Hole in Wimberley. Rope swings hang from huge
cypress trees that line the spring-fed creek. For a beautiful picture,
please visit Friends of Blue Hole. 512.847.9127 or 512.847.0025 Map.
Do you have a question about renting a Lake Vacation
Home, buying a home or selling yours, or would like more information on
Vacation Home Management? Please feel free to e-mail or call using any
of the information below. You will get a response as quickly as
possible.
The information herein has been obtained
from sources believed to be reliable. However, no investigation has
been made to determine the accuracy of such information. No person or
entity should rely on the accuracy of this material without conducting
a thorough, independent investigation of same. JW Properties has no
liability expressed or implied relating to this information.
click here.