If you are looking for an amazing outdoor spot, check out the natural Twin Falls on the Barton Creek Greenbelt. You can run, bike, hike, swim, climb or spend a day lounging in the sun (or shade) with your family, friends and four-legged friends.

Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt. Courtesy of Instagrammer @shamlesslyblissful.

Located just south of downtown, the Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls area of the Barton Creek Greenbelt is a hidden local oasis no matter what time of year. The best entrance is on the southwest side of MoPac (Loop 1) and 360, though parking can sometimes be a bit tricky. When driving south on MoPac, you will see cars parked to the right along the side of frontage road, so you will know you've come to the right place. Once parked, there is about a half-mile hike on a well-defined path to reach the watering spot. You'll get a taste of the Greenbelt as this walk is part of the larger hiking trail takes about 10-20 minutes from your parking spot. I would recommend wearing comfortable closed-toe shoes (particularly if you are bringing kids) but you will be fine in flip flops too, just be sure to watch your step. I'd recommend leaving the stroller or cooler at home due to the uneven surfaces, rocks and exposed roots. While definitely a hike, this is a casual and easy outdoor experience - just go at your own pace and enjoy the beautiful Greenbelt around you!

When you do reach Twin Falls, there is lots of space to spread out, and a few picnic tables are available. For those looking for an action-packed adventure, there are tons of rocky areas to explore, climb and jump from (at your own risk). For those of you looking for a more relaxing afternoon, there are many shallow areas in the stream just above the falls with a very slow moving current that you can enjoy.If you're up for a more strenuous adventure, you can continue hiking about a mile past Twin Falls to reach Sculpture Falls, another great hidden gem.

The amount of water in the Barton Creek Greenbelt varies throughout the seasons and depends on the rainfall. For the best swimming experience at the falls, head there 2 to 4 days after it has rained. It really is the perfect place to spend a nice hot Texas day!

Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls MoPac Expy. and TX-360 Loop Austin, TX 78746