Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

The Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail is arguably the most popular in Austin, Texas. Not only is it family-friendly, but dogs of all kinds are welcome, and many hikers bring their fur-babies with them. While parts of the path are rocky and post-rain muddy, doggos don't often find it as challenging as their pup parents do. They hike double the distance of the humans as they run forward, jump on a boulder to look around and return to their companion, and they do this throughout the entire trail. No wonder they doze in the car all the way home!

The trailhead for Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail is at Zilker Park, 2200 Barton Springs Road, where you'll find ample $5.00 parking. But you're not limited to this official starting point - Barton Creek can be accessed from six other locations, including the prominent Loop 360 access with its free parking and restroom. A little hard to find, this access is next to Zilker, and the most common way to get onto the trail. Others features are free street parking, but no restrooms. There is also no water available on this trail, so be sure to bring some, as well as clean-up bags. Waste containers are at the access points.

The Greenbelt Trail offers features Fido will love, including waterfalls with refreshing pools below, swimming holes, and rocks and roots to jump over. Non-poisonous snakes and lizards make the creek their home, and birds are everywhere, flitting between tree branches and singing their hearts out. 

If you're looking for solitude, you'll need to visit in the early morning during the week. Weekend days can be quite crowded, and the creek can be filled with swimmers later in the day. Because this is a multi-use trail, you'll be sharing it with mountain bikes and runners, who don't always announce their approach, so it's best to stay to the right side of the path.

Wildflowers and water views, as well as picturesque vistas of surrounding wooded areas are a treat and a camera might be a useful extra weight to carry. The other view you might want to preserve is the limestone cliffs and their rock climbers. 

Regardless of what activity you and your fur-pup engage in on this trail, you'll both think it's pawsome!