Austin, TX, had a population of 944,658 in 2021. The city’s population doubles every 20-25 years. Its desirable climate, with temperatures between 43 and 97 degrees, attracts more than 30 million U.S. visitors every year. Whether you are a resident or visitor, you can enjoy outdoor activities in Austin at any time of the year.
1. Have a State or National Park Adventure
Did you know the Austin, TX, area has over a dozen state and national parks? If you seek outdoor activities in Austin, start at one of these parks: Garner State Park, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, Big Thicket National Preserve, McKinney Falls State Park, or Guadalupe Mountains National Park. These parks offer a wealth of activities: hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, horseback riding, and even miniature golf. You can also find campgrounds, ranger programs, picnic areas, concessions, and bathrooms.
Most areas in the park system are accessible by car. You can also explore on foot by yourselves or joining a tour group. Bring your dogs along, but remember to keep them on their leashes for their safety.
2. Visit the Austin Nature and Science Center
If you seek things to do outdoors in Austin during business hours, consider visiting the Austin Nature and Science Center. Although some exhibits are indoors, many of the Center’s activities and exhibits are outside. Admission is free, so you and your family can learn about the nature and science at no cost.
3. Get In or On the Water
An abundance of water allows for unique outdoor things to do in Austin, Texas. For example, check out tubing on the Guadalupe and San Marcos Rivers if you seek a river adventure.
Lake Austin and Lake Travis are local reservoirs. Some outdoor activities in Austin include boating, wakeboarding, kayaking, paddleboarding, and canoeing. The lakes have rental facilities where you can rent a boat, jet ski, or other equipment. You will also have access to ziplining, restaurants, and even live music venues. Consider ending your day watching the sunset over the lake.
Although Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir, motorized vehicles are not allowed on it. It is in Zilker Park, where you can also visit the Zilker Botanical Gardens and swim at the three-acre Barton Springs Pool. Some state parks, including McKinney Falls State Park, offer swimming opportunities. Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Austin also has splash beaches.
4. Stay In an RV
Have you ever stayed in an RV? You may enjoy camping but wish you had a more comfortable bed, laundry facilities, showers, restrooms, and other amenities. When searching for outdoor activities in Austin, consider staying in an RV. If you don’t own one, you can rent one for a few days or weeks. You can even stay the season and become a winter Texan. Many RV parks have some impressive amenities.
5. Explore the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum
If you are an art connoisseur but don’t want to spend a beautiful day inside a museum, check out the Umlauf Sculpture Garden and Museum. You can even participate in a Tai Chi or yoga class or a garden party. The garden offers public tours and children’s storytime events. You can also take a few hours to appreciate and take photos of the sculptures. The museum offers indoor exhibits if you need a little break from the weather.
6. Go Hiking and Biking
There is no better way to explore outdoor activities in Austin than through its many hiking and biking trails. You can see local landmarks and natural wonders up close while enjoying the climate. The local state and national parks offer many biking and hiking trails, but you can find other trails inside Austin itself.
First, hike or mountain bike Mount Bonnell, which is in town and gives you a great view of the Austin skyline. You can also find city biking trails in Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park and on the Reveille Ranch. Also to be explored are part of the South Austin Trail Network and the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The 8.7-mile Southern Walnut Creek bike trail doesn’t have vehicle traffic.
Enjoy the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake or explore the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center after hiking the 13-mile Violet Crown Trail from Zilker Park. You can also enjoy city biking, e-biking, and walking tours, like the Weird Austin City Tour or Ghost Walk Austin.
7. Spelunk Inner Space Cavern
Spelunking is one of the most unique outdoor activities in Austin. Although you aren’t technically outside, spelunking, or exploring caves, is considered an outdoor activity, and Austin has some incredibly preserved caves at the Inner Space Cavern. You will find large rooms with stalagmites that rise from the floor and stalactites that drop from the ceilings. This 10,000-year-old cave also has bones from prehistoric animals.
8. Watch a Race
Austin is the home of the Circuit of The Americas. This Grand Prix facility is a 3.4-mile track that holds many of the world’s most prestigious racing events, including Formula 1, NASCAR, COTA, and Grand Prix races. If you are passionate about motorsports, spend the day watching a race.
FAQs
Does Austin have outdoor activities?
You can choose from relaxing or exhilarating opportunities. Go boating on a lake, driving through a national park, biking through town, or ziplining down Mount Bonnell. Austin offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.
There are loads of outdoor things to do in Austin.
What are the most popular outdoor activities in Austin?
Most tourists and residents enjoy the outdoors in any way they can.
Due to the climate, hiking, biking, walking around the city, and exploring the many local natural wonders are popular activities. The rivers and lakes encourage water activities, such as swimming, boating, and paddleboarding.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities in Austin
Austin offers a wide variety of outdoor activities. We can help you find unique, interesting, and adventurous outdoor activities in Austin. Contact us or sign up for our free welcome packet for more things to do outdoors in Austin, TX.