Butler Metro Park

Butler Metro Park is part of the broader Zilker Park system along Barton Springs Rd — a sweeping green space along the Colorado River that forms the recreational heart of Austin. With 3,079 Google reviews at 4.7 stars, it's one of the city's most appreciated outdoor spaces.

For families, Butler Metro Park is the kind of park that accommodates everything without any of it feeling forced: toddlers in strollers on the paved trail, older kids flying kites in the open meadow, tweens renting kayaks on the river, parents sitting in the shade of the pecan trees watching it all. The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail runs along Town Lake (Lady Bird Lake) and is flat, paved, and stroller-accessible — one of the best easy walks in Austin.

The park sits directly adjacent to Barton Springs Pool and the Alliance Children's Garden playground, making it a natural all-day base camp for a family Austin visit. Start with playground time, swim at Barton Springs, then picnic in the meadow and watch the bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge at dusk.

The open meadow sections are Austin's default venue for outdoor events — festivals, kite festivals, dog shows, and Austin City Limits Music Festival (which takes over the park in October and affects access). Outside of event season, the meadow is open and free.

Parking along Barton Springs Rd fills quickly on sunny weekends. Arrive before 9AM or plan to walk from a neighborhood street. The park's proximity to South Lamar means rideshare drop-off is practical from central Austin.