Zilker Park: What to Know Before You Go

Zilker Metropolitan Park sits at 2100 Barton Springs Road, where Barton Creek meets Lady Bird Lake. Spanning more than 350 acres of public land, it is Austin’s oldest metropolitan park. It’s about a 10-minute drive from Village Motor Inn.

The park is named for Andrew Jackson Zilker, who began donating land to the city in 1917. It was officially named Zilker Park in 1934. New Deal programs, including the Civil Works Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps, helped shape its development in the 1930s. The park joined the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.

Its size and collection of destinations make Zilker a useful stop to combine with other parts of an Austin outing. If you’re planning a broader route, see this practical one-day Austin itinerary.

Zilker has room for both active outings and quieter breaks. Facilities include the Zilker Playscape, a disc golf course, five volleyball courts, three picnic sites and one shelter. The clubhouse is available only for rentals.

You can also visit the Zilker Botanical Garden, Austin Nature and Science Center, McBeth Recreation Center or Beverly S. Sheffield Hillside Theater. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail is another option for a walk or ride. Check what’s open and accessible before setting your route, as events and maintenance can affect access.

For a straightforward visit, pick one main activity first, then add a nearby destination if time allows. The park’s range of facilities and attractions also helps explain why it features among the best parks in Austin.

Austin parks are generally open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., unless signs say otherwise. Events and maintenance may limit access to particular areas, so don’t assume every facility or route will be available on the day you visit.

Public events require permits. Permits are also required for amplified sound and alcohol consumption; those activities are allowed only at rental sites with a paid reservation. If you’re planning a gathering, check the City’s requirements before making arrangements.

Zilker Park parking is first-come, first-served. The City recommends biking and public transit as alternatives. CapMetro bus 30 travels through the park, while buses 3 and 803 stop on South Lamar Boulevard.

On Saturdays, Sundays and official holidays, parking costs $3 per hour per vehicle each year from the first Saturday of Spring Break through Labor Day. Pay at a station or through the Park ATX app. If you’re driving, allow for the possibility that parking may be full and consider transit or biking instead.

Before you go: Parking rules, access and facilities can change. Check the official site before you go, using the City of Austin’s park information.

Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre, underground-spring-fed swimming pool in the park area. Its average water temperature is 68–70 degrees Fahrenheit, and the depth ranges from 0 to 18 feet. The springs are also habitat for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.

The pool is generally open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. On days other than Thursday, swimming is at your own risk from 5–8 a.m., then guarded from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Thursdays have a different schedule: swimming at your own risk from 5–9 a.m., a cleaning closure from 9 a.m.–7 p.m., and guarded swimming from 7–10 p.m.

Admission is free for infants listed as age 1 and honorably discharged veterans. For children ages 1–11, tickets cost $2 for residents and $4 for non-residents; junior tickets for ages 12–17 cost $3 and $5. Adult tickets for ages 18–62 cost $5 and $9, and senior tickets for ages 62 and older cost $2 and $5, respectively.

You can buy tickets online or through the ATXSwims app. Online tickets must be shown to the cashier and are valid until the end of the day. Kiosks outside both entrances accept credit or debit cards; cash is accepted at the cashier window at either entrance.

Pool parking is available at the north entrance lot at 2201 William Barton Drive and the south entrance lot at 1000 Azie Morton Road. It’s free Monday through Friday.

On weekends and holidays, parking costs $3 per hour per vehicle from March 1 through Labor Day. By bus, take route 30 to the Barton Springs (Zilker Park) stop, then walk about five minutes down William Barton Drive to the main entrance.

Bring a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water in a resealable plastic container. Coolers, food, pets, glass, hard balls, portable speakers, tobacco, alcohol and fishing gear are prohibited. For more details, read this guide to Barton Springs Pool hours, tickets and getting there.

Austin City Limits Music Festival, Trail of Lights and ABC Kite Festival are among the large-scale events held at Zilker Park. On event days, expect activity to be concentrated around the event area, and check access details before choosing a route or parking plan.

If you’re visiting for a quieter park outing, consider what you want to do first and keep your plans flexible. The park’s open hours are general, not a guarantee that every area is accessible; events and maintenance can affect access.