Barton Creek Greenbelt, Natural recreation area in Austin, United States.
The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a natural park featuring hiking trails through limestone terrain with seasonal swimming spots. Multiple entry points provide access to different sections suitable for various activity levels and interests.
This protected area was established in the 1970s to safeguard water quality and create recreational spaces for the community. The corridor has since grown into a key part of the city's green network.
The name comes from William Barton, who settled on the creek's banks in 1837. Each spring, hundreds of people join the "Tubin' the Belt" parade and float the waterway on inner tubes. Volunteers from groups such as the Greenbelt Guardians and Central Texas Mountaineers gather every year on the first Saturday in June for National Trails Day.
The park is open daily and provides parking at multiple entry points for visitor convenience. Comfortable shoes and plenty of water are essential, especially during hot weather.
Airmen's Cave, next to the Greenbelt, is the longest cave in Travis County at two miles. After novice spelunkers repeatedly got lost and needed rescue, its entrance was sealed with a locked steel grate; guided trips are arranged with Austin-area spelunking groups.
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