Zilker Park, Austin

Location: 2100 Barton Springs Road in South Austin

Zilker Park is Austin's most popular park, a symbol of the city as home to its unique Barton Springs as well as often used playfields and specialty gardens.

Originally the site of temporary Franciscan missions in 1730, the 349-acre park along the shores of the lake was once used by native Americans as a gathering place. One of its most attractive features is Barton Springs Pool (whose waters were once used by early Austinites as power for several mills). The springs rise from a limestone strata of the Balcones Fault, formed millions of years ago when the Hill Country uplifted to form the Edwards Plateau. The clear springs produce a minimum of 12 million gallons to a maximum of more than 90 million gallons in any 24-hour period.

The swimming pool is more than 300 yards long, and the water varies from 66 to 70 degrees, keeping Austinites pretty cool nowadays as a primary recreational facility for the entire city. Zilker Gardens in the park includes the Oriental Garden, a meditation trail, and the famous Rose Garden, as well as a Swedish log cabin dating from the 1840s; there's also a fine Garden Center.

Return to Austin Travel Guide or Austin Parks

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