Barton Creek Greenbelt
Running for almost eight miles, the Barton Creek Greenbelt encompasses almost 809 acres and is the city's longest and most popular green space. This is where Austin residents can get in tune with Austin's outdoor lifestyle. Shaped a little like a U, Barton Creek loops around the South Austin area. The most Western entrance to the greenbelt lies North on Loop 360 near the Barton Creek Mall (built after a major battle with local environmentalists) and then goes South before turning back North again and running along the Eastern side of MoPac until it feeds into Barton Creek Springs in Zilker Park.
Barton Creek Greenbelt is popular among joggers, mountain bikers, dog owners (leashes mandatory), and in spring when the rains come tubers and kayakers who run the length of the creek. It's free, it is open every day from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and it is easily accessible from the apartments in South Austin. There are four access points East of MoPac -- one in Zilker Park at the Northern edge of the neighborhood, another at Spyglass Drive, a third at Guy Fruh point and a fourth on Loop 360, South of MoPac. There are other access points along the Western path of the creek.
City of Austin link for Barton Creek Greenbelt
