Zilker Park - Botanical Gardens

Trail
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3point5stars (3.90)9
1star (1.19)
2stars (2.06)
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No
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Austin
Travis
More Info
Photos
White Lycoris
One of the many interesting plants at Zilker. This one was in the water-wise area. (Photo by plectrudis)
Log Entries
Shady walk, convenient to downtown
By plectrudis on 9/21/2015
Rating: 3point5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

ZBOT makes a convenient after-work hike for downtowners, at least during the warm months when it has longer hours. It is a pleasant, slightly hilly garden with lots of shade, although it's never as much cooler than surrounding areas as one expects.  (Unlike Turkey Creek, for example, which is always several degrees cooler than the rest of Austin.)  Perhaps because it is more or less a south-facing hillside.  There are enough trails for a decent little weekday hike, and there are interesting plants to look at, especially in the dinosaur and butterfly gardens.

By Daniel N on 1/23/2010
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Beautiful Gardens
By Daniel N on 9/13/2009
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 4stars
Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A

We walked the trails at Zilker Botanical and it is difficult to call it a hike, but it was very enjoyable and relaxing. The variety of ecosystems here and the layout make it a great place for kids or just to get away and relax.

tranquil when barefoot in the rain
By barefoot mcgraw on 9/10/2009
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 5stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A

no companions here
but my near-silent footfalls
on wet smooth worn stones

japanese garden
surely we're meant to bare soles
surrounded by this

By crocodile235 on 5/1/2008
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Beautiful
By big tex on 5/30/2006
Rating: N/A Difficulty: N/A Solitude: N/A
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Had my engagement pictures done here. It was beautiful in the spring with the flowers.
Beautiful!
By Centex Trekker on 9/14/2003
Rating: N/A Difficulty: 3stars Solitude: 1point5stars
Distance: 0.50 Mile Duration: N/A
Very nice, but hilly.
Very beautiful gardens
By HikerGirl on 6/29/2003
Rating: N/A Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 0.50 Mile Duration: N/A
Nice day to hang out in the shades of the trees. Very nice people milling around looking at all the plants. Will be sure to bring my Mom when she is in town since she loves botanical gardens!
flowers and fauna
By maxrebo on 11/19/2002
Rating: N/A Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Bring your camera, especially in the springtime
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