Austin-area guide lists 40 outdoor activities and destinations for spring

February 26, 2026

Spring in Central Texas opens up a wide field of outdoor options, and this guide compiles 40 spots and experiences within a drive of Austin. Listings range from local swimming holes and nature preserves to adventure courses, seasonal festivals, and wellness resorts aimed at day trips or weekend getaways.

Water-based escapes feature prominently. Krause Springs in Spicewood offers 32 springs that feed natural and manmade pools, with water near 68 degrees and the site generally open from mid-February through early November. Barton Springs Pool hosts a monthly full moon swim in its 68-degree water, with free entry if you arrive after 9 p.m. Hamilton Pool Preserve, about 30 miles west of Austin, features a 50-foot waterfall and requires advance reservations for timed entry and swimming when water quality allows.

Hikers and climbers will find options from challenging climbs to family-friendly trails. River Place Nature Trail includes more than 2,700 wooden steps on a nearly 6-mile round-trip route to a summit and waterfall. Enchanted Rock invites visitors to hike its 425-foot summit, view wildflowers, and stargaze in its International Dark Sky Park. Reimers Ranch draws sport climbers with hundreds of limestone routes, some rated as high as 5.14.

Festivals and public events fill April and into spring. The city calendar includes ABC Kite Fest at Zilker Park (April 11), the Statesman Cap10K (April 12), the Umlauf Garden Party (April 16), and Waterloo Greenway’s Pop-Up Picnic (April 18). New and renewed urban amenities also appear on the list: the Wishbone Bridge and Unity Underpass open new connections on the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, and the revived Hope Outdoor Gallery presents large-scale murals on an 8-acre site.

Family-focused and animal experiences include strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls, goat yoga and guided goat walks at Jester King Brewery with its herd of 74 Nigerian dwarf goats, and horseback trail rides at Southern Trail Rides on a 120-acre ranch that offers a Little Dude Ride for young children.

For overnight escapes and wellness, the guide highlights glamping Mirror Houses at Lake Bastrop South Shore Park with 221-square-foot units, thermal mineral soaks at Ottine Mineral Springs drawing from the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer, boutique river lodging at Melrose River Club, and spa and outdoor programs at Lake Austin Spa Resort, Omni Barton Creek, and Miraval Austin.

Readers interested in routes and multiuse trails can explore the Violet Crown Trail, currently 13 miles and planned to reach 30 miles, the paved 3.1-mile Veloway loop for cyclists and skaters, and the revitalized 11-acre Waterloo Park with an amphitheater that hosts spring concerts. The guide pairs practical notes, such as reservation requirements and site hours, with activity ideas so visitors can plan outings safely and responsibly.