Lady Bird Lake

It’s the place to go for paddle boating, kayaking and bat watching. Bat watching is a must do tourist excursion in Austin. The lake is beautiful and has a park and walkway all around the lake. It’s a nice spot to watch the sunset and the beautiful city!

An absolutely beautiful path to walk, run, bike, or pop on the lake for boarding, kayaking fun. The pathways connect to multiple parks, and have water for you and your pups along the trails.

We visited this place on January 1st and loved it. It’s an enormous park with lots of trails for walking, trekking and cycling. Our dog also had a wonderful time there. We didn’t find any restrooms or placer where to buy refreshments. That is missing, the rest was great!

It a cool and calm lake. The park around the lake is good for running and picnics. There’s a little bridge from where you can get the city view. If you missed to see this lake, you did not miss much😛

Paddling on Lady Bird Lake in Austin is a delightful way to experience the city's natural beauty and vibrant atmosphere. It could be a bit more clean in some areas. The calm waters provide the perfect setting for kayaking, paddleboarding, or canoeing, offering stunning views of the downtown skyline, lush greenery, and iconic landmarks like the Congress Avenue Bridge. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced paddler, the lake's serene environment makes for a relaxing outing. Along the way, you might spot turtles, birds, and even the famous bats at sunset. The accessibility of rental services and the friendly local vibe add to the experience. Paddling on Lady Bird Lake is a must-do activity for anyone looking to enjoy Austin's outdoor charm.

Nice lake. Lots of places to sit and eat or just sit and relax with a view of the lake. A very nice to ride an electric bike. Regular bikes are not allowed. I was expecting First Lady quality. Free parking.

Canoes and kayaks? Yes you can. Lovely lake in the middle of Austin. There is also an extensive hike and bike trail around the lake and connecting to other parts of the city.

Lady Bird Lake in Austin offers a beautiful contrast to the downtown buildings, creating a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities. While the directions may not be the easiest to navigate, the overall experience of the lake and its surroundings makes it a worthwhile destination.

Love afternoon walks around Lady Bird Lake and the Ann and Roy Butler Trail. Beautiful this time of year with cool weather and views of the water. Can get a little crowded on weekends, but tends to have high and low points throughout the path.

Austin's own Central Park, but better in many ways (for one thing, I haven't encountered a single dead bear in our park :) Love the gravel run / walk trail, sightseeing ; and the overall energy of this trail. Every run is memorable; we are blessed to have this in ATX! I do wish bikes were disallowed here - It's a real 'dirt in the face' scenario for most walkers. Not sure if the bikers realize this even. Anyway, that minor annoyance aside, please support your local trail. Sponsor a brick; or just donate to the trail foundation!

I love visiting Boardwalk on the lake, especially in the cooler months! The foliage is gorgeous and I love that there are so many trees shading the path. Highly recommend!

Such a beautiful part of Austin. Perfect for walking, relaxing, and enjoying nature. Year-round beauty.

My wife and I wanted to change things up so we went down to Lady Bird Lake to walk the trail and get some different scenery! So much fun. Lots of people on the trail walking and running! The water had lots of kayakers. We highly recommend going down there!

Well maintained trail with scenic views. 10mile long, good for runners and walking. Pretty busy on weekends, recommend to go earlier in the morning for quieter experience

Lady Bird Lake is my favourite place to run. The entire trail is a 10-mile loop, which is perfect for distance training. Whenever someone visits Austin, taking them to kayak or paddleboard on the lake is a must do. A stroll along the trail is also nice. The view of downtown with the blue water is so pretty.

Came from out of state. We had so much fun kayaking! Amazing views and great service. Highly recommend!

Ladybird Lake sits right in downtown Austin and is always filled with people doing outdoor activities. You will find plenty of trails to ride your bike or run and also plenty of paddle boards to rent on the lake. It is a very beautiful place and of the best places to visit while you are in Austin.

Part of why Austin is one of my favorite cities is having this beautiful parcel of nature here. Gorgeous views of the water and it's surroundings. I enjoy bringing my bike here and riding alongside the water. Hard to really give this anything less than 5 stars. Get here and see it for yourself!

By far one of the best attractions Austin has to offer. Don't believe me? Come here on a nice day. Come here on a not so nice day. Doesn't matter. The volume and mix of people says it all. And the cool thing is that if you are staying anywhere downtown, it is within almost immediate walking distance. I try to come here every time I'm in town. It's never out of the way and always a most enjoyable experience!

I came here in Earth Day and it was a perfect place to feel close with Mother Nature without leaving the city behind. The lake was full of people kayaking which is really neat to watch, The park was full of people picnicking and listening to an outdoor concert. Lots of bike riders and tour guides running around and it's a great place to run, walk, jog for an outdoor workout as well as a beautiful park to bring kids and spend family time. There is even a really pretty gazebo which could be great for different events.

We were rerouted twice so never found the walking path trail head, although we know it was there. A bit confusing to find.

Lakeside Haven in Austin is a place that exudes tranquility and offers a serene escape from the usual chaos of life. From the moment you step into this hidden gem, the atmosphere wraps you in a sense of calm that gently nudges away your worries. The park's beauty lies in its simplicity. Delicate pathways wind through the lush greenery, and the air carries the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers. It's an environment that encourages you to slow down, breathe deeply, and appreciate the peace that envelops the surroundings. What sets Lakeside Haven apart is its communal charm. It's not merely a park but a shared space where people come together to unwind and recharge. The absence of typical urban troubles and the harmonious coexistence of individuals create an inclusive community spirit. Remarkably, Lakeside Haven manages to remain free from homelessness, fostering an environment where everyone feels a genuine sense of belonging. This rarity enhances the overall feeling of safety and tranquility that defines the park. As a haven for those seeking solace, Lakeside Haven attracts a diverse group of individuals, forming a community that values the simple pleasures of life. Imagine a morning routine that involves a peaceful run along the scenic trails with your loyal canine companion, surrounded by air untouched by the pollution prevalent in many urban areas. The lake, like a gentle siren's call, beckons visitors to return and find solace by the docks. It becomes a place where one can sit, meditate, and let the soothing sounds of water carry away the burdens of everyday life. In a world often filled with noise and haste, Lakeside Haven stands as a reminder of the healing power of nature. It's a place to find peace, to connect with a community that shares the same appreciation for tranquility, and to escape the demands of the outside world. Visiting Lakeside Haven is like taking a deep breath and exhaling all the stress, allowing the calming aura of the park to restore a sense of balance and well-being.

Beautiful lake! Great for a stroll, run, social gatherings and pathways to get from one to the other end of the city limits. It's a nice nature refreshing spot when one wants to take a break from other things clogging the mind.

absolute must visit. beautiful place for paddleboarding kayaking etc. has miles of path along it too.

If you are in Austin and you just want to have a calm moment away from Rainey St and 6th St and all the bars, come here. Lady Bird Lake has great scenery and has a great running/walking trail that is really popular among locals. Great for a quick cardio session and for photos.

It is a gorgeous place for a stroll, I love going any day in the afternoon or well at anytime! Theres's a loop around the lake and also dog areas (please keep your dogs on a leash) there's designated areas where your pet can be free.

Lady Bird Lake to newer transfers, Town Lake to original Austinites, and the Colorado River to out-of-towners looking at a map. No matter what you call it, this lake/river runs through Austin and is the epitome of what Austin is about. Whenever I have guests come in, I always have to take them here to kayak/paddle board on a beautiful Austin day. There are several rental companies you can choose from if you don't have a kayak/paddle board of your own. Views: Expect nature mixed with running trails, intertwined with the hustle and bustle of downtown, freeways, automobiles, and don't forget-- bridges & bats! NOTE: You can NOT swim/dive in the Lady Bird Lake. Reason being the lake is deep and has debris from previous dams in the water. There have been drowning incidents as well.

I actually walked the trail alongside Lady Bird Lake during my visit to Austin, Texas. I felt like it was a good opportunity for me to explore the surroundings not only near the river...but among the heart of downtown Austin. I randomly found a parking spot beside the walking trail. I parked near the Texas Rowing Center where for a Saturday morning, they were busy renting out paddles and boats to locals and visitors. It was incredible how many folks rented a boat and or got out on the water! Granted I did visit Austin in September and it was really hot out. So...being next to Lady Bird Lake was certainly a refreshing way to spend time over the weekend. Continuing along the dirt path...there were plenty of couples, families and hikers strolling along the way. It felt like it's a ritual or I'd say more of a routine to get outside here if you're a citizen of Austin. I mean...I really found this city picturesque and interesting with a vibe being among plenty of young people. So...who wouldn't want to walk around town!? Along my walk beside to lady Bird Lake...there were bridges connecting downtown Austin to the rest of the city. I found Austin's city skyline to be very photogenic from multiple bridges. This was my first time exploring around Austin...and I never imagined that the skyline would be so memorable. I definitely stopped on a few of the bridges to soak in the views. Especially from Congress Avenue Bridge...Austin's skyline was quite scenic and I had to stop for a few pictures. From the Texas Rowing area where I had parked walking along the path to Congress Avenue Bridge...it was about 2 miles in length. At that point in time I turned around and headed back to my car. But I very much appreciated this pathway. If I lived in Austin, I'd be happy to walk this trail regularly. And...I was still impressed with how busy Lady Bird Lake appeared with people kayaking, paddle boarding, etc... One more thing also...along the trail there spots and benches to just sit down on and relax with no worries...even to people watch and enjoy being outdoors. If I lived in Austin, Texas I'd absolutely recommend to visitors to walk this pathway near Lady Bird Lake for a real feel/true sense of what downtown Austin, Texas is all about.

Lake itself is not so clean but how it's managed to create a bike/trail path is what makes this place great. Lot of trees all around and even has a boardwalk for jogging walking. Picturous place with tons of views. Austin is beautiful because of their lakes and parks. We got some incredible pics here. It's spanning across a great area and obviously covering full is impossible. So chose a spot with a great opportunities and you won't regret visiting here.

Water fun in the city. Let's get the bad out of the way.... There's A LOT of hydrilla growing! Hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) is an invasive plant, almost like seaweed, but thicker. It grows quickly in shallow, warm waters where there is fertilizer run off. (I am not a botanist, but this is my lay understanding of why we have a problem). Avoid this stuff, especially if you are a poor swimmer. It's easy to get tangled in. The second issue here is just generally poor water quality...BUT WAIT. I'm here to tell you how to best enjoy this lake. Go around the hydrilla, down toward Barton Springs. The water spilling out the end of Barton Springs is fresh, spring water, cold, and clear. Lots of super, chill, cool people hang out here with their dogs. I could sit for hours with a cold drink, body half in the water on a big, flat stone watching the dogs frolic. (Tops are optional in Austin, so know that your kids may see more than you'd like). I highly recommend renting a SUP or kayak from my favorite place, the Texas Rowing Center. Their dock is big, and it's quick access to my other favorite place on the lake- go to the west side of the MoPac Bridge. It's quiet, and the water quality is good. I also recommend chilling in the shade of the trees along the banks. On the weekends, there is a huge gathering of SUPers if you'd like to participate in a floating party. My preference is to go either early mornings or late afternoons during the week. I only took up SUPing (Standup paddleboarding) during the pandemic, and I love it. Try it before you buy it, and I bet you'll be a regular on the lake like I am.

Town Lake (aka Lady Bird Lake) is quite honestly my favorite place in Austin due it's size and the variety of things that can be done on and around it. Be it paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing or rowing on the river, walking various short loops on the trails around the lake, picnicking at a serene spot with a view, listening to live music on the bridge as you watch the sunset or just generally people watching. I've lived in Austin for 7 years now and there are only a fees months where I haven't been there at least once each week. The part of the trail that loops around Mopac and S Lamar is my favorite because it takes me 40-50 mins to complete, depending on my speed and I usually park for free under the bridge by Mopac either south of the river (off Barton Springs Road) or North of the river (off Caesar Chavez). Another option is to park at Whole Foods for a longer walk the go in for food/a drink afterwards. You get so many different views of the city and of nature depending on where you are on the river or trail and it just never gets old!

You can go paddle boarding or kayaking at this lake. This is a must when you visit Austin. It's nice to be in water when it's a hot day. My friend and I did a double kayak for $20/hour. Super cheap!! They do not have lockers so don't being anything valuable or something you want wet. They do have cubbies for shoes/clothes. They also sell water and rent water proof baggies. No bathroom just porter potties.

I went paddle boarding on this beautiful lake. How amazing this lake is! And such a great stretch of an area to go kayaking or paddleboarding. Make sure you take all of your belongings with you and do not have anything showing in your car. There are A LOT. Of break-ins here!!! And they will also smash your window!! I took a small water proof enclosed bag that I could hang around my neck. It can hold your phone and cards if you need to. I repeat.. DO NOT leave anything important in your car. They will break in and take it! Especially if its visible.

Amazing service and experience! And amazing prices! Highly recommend. Excellent customer service from Zab. If you're in Austin, definitely stop by for a fun afternoon activity!

The view and park are beautiful. The shoreline is mostly safe but there was a lot of garbage floating along the shore.

Wow so beautiful and so much to do. We arrived in January and it was about 40 degrees. Not to Many people were out on the lake, just a few school paddler boats with their coaches, and a few single kayaks. But as we talked to the locals, they say that the lake can be filled with hundreds and hundreds of people. There's a trail that goes around the lake, it's about 12 miles. Perfect for biking or walking. A lot of hotels have bags for your dogs poop, which came in handy. Morning or night time it's a beautiful site.

This lake was pretty big and has a board walk for walking safely. Nice views of the city. Free parking in certain areas. Nice place to walk or exercise.

I'm always in awe of peaceful spots like Lady Bird Lake that exist in the heart of the city yet feel like they're miles away from civilization. Ah, the best of both worlds. Lady Bird Lake offers locals and visitors soft trails, what appears to be a safe green space, dock for sunning, water for rowing, artistic landmarks and flowers. I recommend packing a picnic or bringing a book for your visit. There are several benches with shade trees along the trail to make this an enjoyable experience. Lady Bird Lake is just a stone's throw away from downtown Austin.

Lady Bird Lake is beautiful. It's probably one of my favorite parts of the Austin area. I used to come here all the time and walk and jog around the lake and it was so relaxing and peaceful. It's a lot more crowded these days but I would suggest giving it a trip at least once. It's worth it.

For kayaking, I loved bringing visiting friends here to kayak and in my picture, you'll see it's a great meeting spot for fundraisers too. For paddle boarding, a few friends of mine paddle boarded here pretty often and loved it. To note, you don't have to rent boards or even kayaks if you don't want to... Consider purchasing a used paddle board since people are often moving to and from Austin - if you can see yourself using it a handful of times, you pretty much got your money's worth for it. This lake goes on for a bit and is heavily frequented for both townspeople and tourists so plan the hot days accordingly!

I'm not from Austin so I am still confused how this is a lake and not a river, but regardless, I am a fan! Here's why: 1) Kayaking: There are several spots to rent kayaks and explore the "lake," including seeing the famous bats at South Congress bridge. You can also paddle board too. 2) Trail: There's an amazing trail for running and biking. If it's sunny, there's no better trail in America.

I really liked this walking trail. It was cold when I was in Austin but my friend and I decided to finally walk it because I've been saying I wanted to for my last three trips to Austin and haven't been able to. Despite the cold there were a few brave kayakers out on the water but we just walked it and wandered past the Four Seasons, under the Bat bridge (where people gather to watch the bats fly out at sunset), and into the heart of downtown. I found the lake to be pretty (if nasty up close as the water had trash and such floating in it) with a well-kept running and biking trail. There were some folks on those Byrd scooters riding around despite the signs clearly saying it was not a trail for scooters... but it is a nice way to get from one side of Austin to another if you have the time to walk the scenic route. I saw plans for an expansion of the park through downtown that look like they're going to be very pretty in the future and I hope to see how that turns out on a later trip.

I love it! Do I really need to say more? I would recommend during the weekend coming here earlier. I came here on a Sunday morning and parked at a high school. Everyone else had the same idea so it took awhile to snag a parking spot. I ended up walking and running a total of 3 miles. I was original here to walk but then with everyone else running I decide why not? I took some beautiful pictures of nature and the city. Enjoy!

This is an amazing spot to take a leisurely walk or for a brisk jog. If you have a dog, it's a great place for your pet to get in the water too! Many people kayak and paddleboard here as well, and what a nice way to spend an afternoon in downtown Austin! This is just minutes away from SOCO Congress area as well as the capitol. Great place to take a visitor to people watch and enjoy the outdoors. 10/10 would recommend!

Biked here over the weekend. Great trail. I truly love Austin. If I lived here I would bike here every weekend. Trail is wide for runners and bikers to coexist with no issues. If you have kids make sure they stay in the middle. They could easily fall off into the lake. Great relaxing ride. Some decent inclines and fun declines. I recommend renting a bike if you are an out of towner and ride this trail. Barton springs bike rental is a few feet from the trail. We rented two invokes with helmets for 2 hours for 40 bucks. Great trail. Highly recommend it.

A beautiful location for jogging, biking, photo-op, scenery, and just to getaway. It's one of Austin most recognized sites to visit.

One of my favorite places to paddle board. Very long, very scenic, with plenty of spots to stop and catch a break. Watch out for the rowers, they have the right of way.

Pretty views of the river. If you're visiting Austin, locals will tell you that this is a must see. Great for a morning or afternoon walk, but there don't seem to be enough benches for sitting by the water.

The Colorado River aka Lady Bird is magnificent both day and night. Theres canoe, paddleboard and kayak rentals along the river for activities on the lake. You can also bring your own to use and are pet friendly.

The Hike or Bike trail along Lady Bird Lake is just wonderful! There are miles and miles of wonderful paths to explore. From dog parks and bridges to workout stations and wide roaming grass, this park has it all! My favorite portion is the long bridge that takes you along the lake on top of the water! This path has stunning views of downtown & is quite enjoyable!

To be honest with you this place wasn't everything I thought. So people make it look so nice in pictures but it's more of a work out area. Not a relaxing area. You can go on a run or kayaking. The trees cover most of the lake so you have to walk until you see more of an opening to be able to see the water. Parking was kind of annoying but glad I went.

Simply beautiful! My phone battery is low so I couldn't take pics. I highly recommend taking a walk or stroll (as some call it) around the lake and relaxing while enjoying the scenery, especially the Austin skyline.

Lady Bird Lake is the part of the Colorado River that flows through the southern part of downtown Austin. If you've ever been in Austin, it's hard to miss. Coming from the airport to downtown, you'll cross over the river at some point. The river is scenic at all times of day and there are many vantage points from which to view it. The most popular gathering point is the Congress Ave. bridge. It's famous for the large bat colony that lives underneath it. In the summertime, the bats emerge from beneath the bridge and turn the sky black. The bats even have their own Yelp page with over 160 reviews: http://www.yelp.com/biz/bats-under-the-congress-avenue-bridge-austin. I'm sad to say I missed this experience during my visit. You'll see all sorts of people on the lake including kayakers and big tourist boats. I saw one guy padding with two dogs, both in life vests, flanked on either side of him. There are a lot of trails around the lake, ideal for walkers, joggers, and bikers. Other vantage points include S 1st St, just west of Congress, and the Lady Bird Lake Trail parallel to the 343 bridge (S Lamar Blvd.). I wouldn't go swimming in this lake, though. The water looked too dirty for that.

This has become our weekend pass time! We love going to lady bird lake and exploring up Barton Creek! We just moved to town and needed a relief from the heat, so we went to Barton first which was amazing. Such blue waters, turtles everywhere, and really cold and refreshing since it's fed by a natural springs! We just got paddle boards and took them out to the lake since you can't swim or float out there. It was so beautiful, with a great view of downtown. Everyone was out enjoying the day. It's a great place and we love going whenever we can.

LBL is THE heart of DT ATX! This is seriously the city's playground as anything you want to do here, you can! The running/walking trails around the Lake are fantastic, especially if you come early enough to beat the weekend troves! From the 1st bridge parking area to the I-35 bridge and back is almost exactly a 5K, so if you are looking for a good training trail with nice elevation differentials, then you are welcome! The watersports here are also great! You can kayak til you can't with several rental outlets scattered along the shores. You can also kayak from Barton Springs out onto LBL. There are also paddleboarding and waterbiking options. Or, if you are not feeling athletically inclined, then you can do a narrated cruise and learn some skyline funfacts and you might even luck out and be on the water when the pontoon Pirates are roving the waters and ready to pillage with a water balloon onslaught! If you have a canine friend, the doggie water park is where it is at! You can also bike the trails, but beware, the cyclists on the trails do not share them well with the walker/runners and I have on several occasions almost gotten knocked over by an entitled cyclist. The other highlight is of course the Congress Street "Bat Bridge" that houses the largest urban bat population in the world and from as early as March to as late as November you can see the 750k-1.5mil bats emerge from beneath the bridge at dusk in a breathtaking spectacle, which is something to see whether a native, townie, or tourist. Also, you can pay homage to Stevie Ray Vaughn at his statue on the banks of LBL with the skyline behind him and to amplify the experience go for one of the many spectacular Austin sunsets. Town Lake aka Lady Bird Lake is the crown jewel of the Austinite way of life, to be sure!

I decided to go on a walk. I was headed to a spice shop I heard about, but decided to take the scenic route. As I walked around Lady Bird Lake, I was drawn in by the beautiful scenery, native plants everywhere and the trail. It was really beautiful. I found myself taking a little extra time to take pictures, sit on park benches and just enjoy the park itself. The beautiful big blue lake is the perfect back drop. I had to bring my guy back for a walk along the waterfront on another day, it was just another excuse for a beautiful walk in the park.

Incredible place for kayaking! It was my first time kayaking and it was so much fun! The employees are nice and friendly. The lake is so big that you need to spend half or most of the day here! The only thing that sucks is the bathrooms are a little far from the dock. If you need to pee, go before heading to the lake! Besides that, I can't wait to go back!