Barton Creek Greenbelt gives Austin its creek-and-limestone feel

The Barton Creek Greenbelt is a ribbon of wild limestone canyon running through southwest Austin. The City of Austin describes more than 12 miles to explore, with a 7.5-mile main trail, scenic swimming holes, rugged biking terrain, and the tall limestone cliffs the greenbelt is known for.

It is not a single park with one gate. The city lists a chain of trailheads along the way (Zilker, Spyglass, Gus Fruh, the 360 trailhead, Gaines Creek near Twin Falls, and Trail's End near the Hill of Life), so different neighborhoods reach the creek from their own end. Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls are favorite swimming spots when the creek is running.

If you are comparing areas west and southwest of downtown, creek access can be a real daily-life perk. But the greenbelt depends on rain: check the city page for trailheads, water-level cautions, and hours, because the swimming holes can run dry in a Texas summer.