| There are many greenbelts in and around the creeks | | | | Many nice homes are perched on the cliffs above the |
| in Austin, and the Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of the | | | | swimming hole, and the entire area offers a majestic |
| most well-known. The greenbelt begins at the south | | | | view for residents as well as hikers and other visitors. |
| shore of Lady Bird Lake and continues all the way to | | | | One entrance is across the street from Barton Hills |
| Loop 360, with starts and stops along the way. Most | | | | Elementary School, with a trail entrance marked by a |
| of the greenbelt is adjacent to the creek itself and | | | | city-provided sign with an audio device that gives rules, |
| Barton Springs while it meanders through the Zilker | | | | instructions, and other information, including warnings |
| Park area, and one of the best places to swim under | | | | about snakes and other critters in the park and |
| the trees and among the rocks and trails is called | | | | surrounding areas. |
| Campbell's Hole. | | | | In some places, the trails peter out and hikers have to |
| Campbell's hole is actually just an area where the | | | | wander through the brush to find the next section, but |
| creek widens and rocks form a pool, and it can be | | | | eventually one can hike from Campbell's Hole all the |
| accessed on either the east side of the creek or the | | | | way to the bridge over Loop 360, quite a hike over |
| west side, though most people arrive by the east | | | | rocky and irregular terrain, but very good exercise for |
| entrance through the trails. Many swimmers and | | | | the hearty. |
| waders bring their dogs, and picnics on the banks and | | | | Many beautiful and interesting kinds of wildlife can be |
| rocks are quite frequent too. Some of the trails are | | | | seen from the hole, including owls, hawks, and other |
| quite steep, so caution must be used when hiking to | | | | birds, along with unusual lizards and geckos, and some |
| and from the area, and good hiking or tennis shoes are | | | | are tame enough to actually hold still for a quick picture, |
| suggested. | | | | given their regular contact with people. Another |
| This year has been very dry, so the water is slightly | | | | interesting nearby hiking trail is the St. Mark's Episcopal |
| stagnant, and at such times, it is best not to swallow | | | | Church's meditation walk, which is a series of trails |
| the water or swim with any open cuts, since all too | | | | behind the church, which is located at Barton Hills Drive |
| frequently the visiting dogs use the stream for their | | | | and Barton Skyway, which dead-ends at the church, |
| personal business, but the swimming hole is very | | | | thus allowing pedestrians to access the hiking trails |
| family-friendly and many Barton Hills neighbors take | | | | which connect to the Barton Creek Greenbelt and |
| their children and pets down to the hole for a free | | | | eventually Campbell's Hole itself. |
| afternoon of hiking, swimming, floating, and just | | | | Campbell's Hole has been an Austin landmark for |
| wandering around. | | | | years, and many fine homes, duplexes, and |
| Campbell's Hole has been popular with local swimmer | | | | apartments are in the nearby area. The swimming |
| since the seventies, or even earlier, and at one point, | | | | hole's proximity to Mopac, which runs just west of the |
| the primary entrance was from a trail in Zilker Park | | | | greenbelt, make it easily accessible, and this entire area |
| itself, just south of the springs, and the hole was | | | | is perfect for nature lovers, college students, young |
| primarily used by those hoping to avoid the entrance | | | | families and professionals, as well as the older, more |
| fees at the springs, but in the past, the hole was also | | | | established crowd who still enjoy the gorgeous |
| considered the most popular place for skinny dippers, | | | | scenery and recreational activities. When is southwest |
| or those who prefer swimming in cut-offs and tee | | | | Austin on a hot day, take a brisk hike with your kids or |
| shirts. The crowd is very laid back, and in earlier years, | | | | dogs to Campbell's Hole for a natural day of fun and |
| most of the guests would be considered "hippies", in | | | | water in the Austin tradition! |
| teeny bikinis if any clothing at all. | | | | |