Barton Creek Greenbelt

Overview

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a 12.7-km natural area winding through the limestone hills of southwest Austin. It's the city's premier trail system for hiking, rock climbing, and swimming in spring-fed pools.

Highlights

• Swimming Holes: Twin Falls, Sculpture Falls, and Campbell's Hole offer refreshing natural pools.
• Rock Climbing: Limestone cliffs along the creek provide popular bouldering and sport climbing.
• Trail Diversity: Options range from easy creek-side walks to challenging ridge trails.

History

Protected through a series of land acquisitions beginning in the 1970s, the Greenbelt was formally established to preserve the Barton Creek watershed and its sensitive ecosystem, including habitat for the golden-cheeked warbler.

Visitor Tips

• Check water levels before planning a swim — pools dry up in drought conditions.
• Trailhead parking at Spyglass or Gus Fruh fills early on weekends.
• Duration: 2–3 hours.