Are there still enough "green spaces" in Austin TX to enjoy, or is it getting too crowed? (Barton Creek: parking, bike)

[over california]

I'm a Californian (born and raised in L.A.) and have heard wonderful amazing things from my neighbor who ws from Austin TX, about Austin. I have been reading many of the posts on here about then influx of people to the Austin area, and am still wondering if all of the natural spaces (rivers, lakes, etc.) have gotten too crowded to be enjoyed? Here in Southern California there are few natural places to enjoy and all of them are so over visited and crowned. Sorry to want to be barging into your pretty little town, like so many others!

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by over california

I'm a Californian (born and raised in L.A.) and have heard wonderful amazing things from my neighbor who ws from Austin TX, about Austin. I have been reading many of the posts on here about then influx of people to the Austin area, and am still wondering if all of the natural spaces (rivers, lakes, etc.) have gotten too crowded to be enjoyed? Here in Southern California there are few natural places to enjoy and all of them are so over visited and crowned. Sorry to want to be barging into your pretty little town, like so many others!

It's getting pretty crowded in Austin. There are lesser known places to explore that are not crowded though. But the well known popular areas, such as Barton Creek greenbelt, are packed on weekends when the weather is good and there is water in the creek.

There are also tons of great day trip destinations in Central Texas less than 1 hour from Austin to go to though.

Steve

[Austin97]

not really crowded. Some of the ones right in the city can be crowded right near the entry points.

All the side trails of the barton creek greenbelt are empty. I usually only see at most 2 people on those trails.
Forest ridge you need to take a test about the birds and so it is completely empty
there are trails along 360 that hardly anyone knows about
Most anything on lake travis is pretty crowded, but you can get a boat and go to a cove and it wont be crowded.
walnut creek park is very crowded but city park (emma long) is not.
Bull creek was really crowded today, but the water is running fast. Usually it just has a few people.

If you have a boat it is pretty easy to get to places that are empty, even on town lake if you canoe to the end, it is pretty empty.

[MoNative34]

I agree. If the creek is dry, you might run into a few mountain bikers or climbers. Even if you want to spend an afternoon on the banks of the creek, you can find some solitude away from the entry points. Several years ago, there was a nice amount of water after a long dry spell. We found a decent spot in between MoPac and 360 and saw a few kayakers and that was it, but we had to hike a bit and bushwack off trail.

[AuburnAL]

Needs more crowding. Still too much pollen.

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by MoNative34

I agree. If the creek is dry, you might run into a few mountain bikers or climbers. Even if you want to spend an afternoon on the banks of the creek, you can find some solitude away from the entry points. Several years ago, there was a nice amount of water after a long dry spell. We found a decent spot in between MoPac and 360 and saw a few kayakers and that was it, but we had to hike a bit and bushwack off trail.

And that inevitably brings to mind "what if everybody did it"? That's how these areas get destroyed and/or made off limits.

[MoNative34]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

And that inevitably brings to mind "what if everybody did it"?

There's a lot less impact when people spread out.

[DCtoTejas]

Just in my time here I feel like it has become a lot more crowded. The rains this year have brought a lot of people out, to the point that there is no parking at all at some of the more popular entrances.

[Trainwreck20]

to the point that there is no parking at all at some of the more popular entrances.

There is some irony there, I just can't quite express it clearly.

Anyway, ride your bike down the Barton Creek greenbelt. Yup, you will see other people there, but there is a lot of terrain to spread people out.

[verybadgnome]

The opposite could also be argued. Go to Mary Moore Searight or Roy Guerrero on a weekend morning and you will definitely not be elbow to elbow. Others like the parks in Mueller I would call busy, but not overcrowded.