Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, Austin, TX 78702, USA 
145 miles from Houston, TX
Town Lake, which is now called Lady Bird Lake, is a river-like reservoir and recreational area on the Colorado River in downtown Austin. If you stay in Austin and like water recreation, you should definitely visit Lady Bird Lake and spend some time hiking, biking, strolling, kayaking, canoeing, or boating. Moreover, there are lots of things to do and places to visit in the surrounding area, including Botanical Gardens, UMLAUF Sculpture Gardens, Zilker Park, Deep Eddy Pool, Barton Springs Pool, etc.
Water Recreation
Fishing on Lady Bird Lake is subject to regulations and requires a fishing license. There are daily catch limits for most of the species, which include catfish, carp, largemouth bass, and sunfish. If you like watersports, you can rent a kayak, canoe, or electric boat and make a trip around the lake. They also offer guided boat tours. Swimming in the lake is prohibited although some people do it, all the same. If you decide to violate the rules, you should be extremely careful since the murky water hides all kinds of debris at the bottom.
Hike and Bike Trail
Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, also known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, is one of the oldest urban Texas paths. It circles Lady Bird Lake, running for more than 10 miles. Most of it is flat, featuring smooth granite surface except for a boardwalk and a few stretches of concrete. The trail is fairly wide and quite crowded – many Austinites keep fit by strolling, jogging, or cycling on it. While doing the same, you’ll have a good opportunity to enjoy the views of the lake and the city skyline, watch the turtles and the ducks. The scenery is just perfect for taking photos. If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent it in several places near the trail.
Amenities and Facilities
Town Lake is a highly commercialized recreational area in the heart of Austin, where you can make use of numerous amenities and rental services to make your vacation more comfortable and get more bright impressions. If you travel by car, you can park it in one of the numerous parking sections around the lake – finding a spot is usually easy. For more convenience, there are public restrooms and drinking fountains along the hike and bike trail. If you get hungry, it won’t be a problem either: the area around the lake features all kinds of restaurants with cozy patios, live music, and good food for every taste.
Dog Policies
If you’re a dog owner, you should visit Town Lake together with your pet. There are special areas where you can unleash your dog and play with balls, sticks, or frisbees and make it jump in the water and enjoy some refreshing swimming.
Driving Time
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10 minutes from Downtown Austin, TX
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45 minutes from Georgetown, TX
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1 hour 25 minutes from San Antonio, TX
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) which you can visit:
- Secret Beach (2 miles)
- Barton Springs Pool Beach (3 miles)
- Deep Eddy Pool Beach (3 miles)
- Campbell’s Hole Beach (4 miles)
- McKinney Falls State Park Beach (4 miles)
Austin, TX 78741, United States
Drag and zoom the map to view lodging options near the beach.
2 mi away