| Zilker Park in Austin, Texas | |
Adjacent to Town Lake is Zilker Park, another popular location for outdoor fun. There's plenty to do in the area including swimming at Barton Springs Pool, climbing the big rock in the middle of the park, and walking the grounds of the Umlauf Sculpture Garden. When most Austinites speak of Zilker Park, they are generally referring to Zilker Metropolitan Park, a 351 acre area along Barton Springs Road. There is also a small 4.5 acre neighborhood Zilker Park found at 1900 Bluebonnet Lane, adjacent to Zilker Elementary.
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Choose a tour stop from the sidebar or start at Rock Island in the middle of the park and travel around Zilker Park from there.
Each page includes a detour from the virtual tour of Zilker Park where you can go to learn more about that particular landmark or attraction (or something else related), if you wish.
Six picnic areas within Zilker Metropolitan Park can be reserved through the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. They are:
- Playscape Shelter: south of the playscape (south side of Barton Springs Road); covered shelter; seating capacity of 75; no alcohol; no BBQ cooking; no electricity; reservations must begin at 11am
- Pecan Grove: east of the playscape on the left as you enter the park from Barton Springs Road; seating capacity 100, maximum 200; offers 2 long concrete tables with a head table; 1 large grill; electricity available at an additional cost payable in advance of the reservation; lighted
- Polo Tables: southwest area of the park near the restrooms; 3 rows of tables; seating capacity of 150, maximum 250; 1 large grill; water fountain and water available; electricity is available at an additional cost payable in advance of the reservation; lighted.
- Rock Garden: north of the Zilker Hillside Theatre; seating capacity of 150, maximum 300; 3 concrete picnic tables with a head table; electricity is available at an additional cost payable in advance of reservation; water is available; 1 large grill; lighted
- Cedar Grove: north of Barton Springs Road, next to Barton Creek and hike and bike trail; 2 rows of concrete tables; capacity of 50; 2 single upright grills; restrooms across Barton Springs Road; no electricity; water available
- Sunken Garden: south side of park off Robert E. Lee Rd.; seating capacity of 50; 8 concrete picnic tables; 1 large grill; no electricity; no water; no alcohol permitted
In addition to Zilker Park and Zilker Metropolitan Park, the various Town Lake Metropolitan Parks and other Town Lake recreational areas are at:
Auditorium Shores: 920 W. Riverside Dr.
Butler Shores: 200 S. Lamar
Eilers (Deep Eddy) Park: 401 Deep Eddy Ave.
Festival Beach: 2101 Bergman St.
Holly Shores: 2709 Canterbury
Lakeshore: 1928 S. Lakeshore Blvd.
Lamar Beach: 1200 W. Cesar Chavez St.
Longhorn Shores: 200 S. Pleasant Valley Rd.
Metz Park: 2407 Canterbury St.
Norwood Tract: 1009 Edgecliff Terrace
Palm Park: 200 N. IH-35
Red Bud Isle: 3401 Red Bud Trail Unit Cr.
Sanchez Playground: 1000 Holly St.
Shoal Beach: 707 W. Cesar Chavez St.
Waller Beach: 30 East Ave.
Arrow graphics are © Judy Litt. A few photos are © Lloyd Litt (and so noted on individual pages). All other photographs are © Jacci Howard Bear.
