From June to September, Austin is something you get through. Then a front arrives in October, mornings drop into the sixties and the whole city goes outside at once. If you live in UT housing in West Campus, the best of it is a short ride south. Here’s a fall outdoors guide from Villas on Rio.
What can students in UT housing do outside in the fall?
Walk or run a lake trail with a skyline view. Swim in a spring-fed pool. Hike a creek. Watch the sun go down from a hilltop. Most of it is free.
Villas on Rio is at 2111 Rio Grande Street. Start with the lake.
One: the trail
Lady Bird Lake is the stretch of the Colorado River that runs through downtown. The hike-and-bike trail loops around it for about ten miles, with bridges that let you cut shorter loops.
It’s flat, shaded for long stretches and full of people from sunrise on. The boardwalk section on the south side runs out over the water with the skyline across from you.
Take a CapMetro bus downtown, which UT students ride with their ID, or bike down. Go in the morning. A three-mile loop before class changes the whole day.
You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard at several spots on the lake. Check prices. It’s a good group outing.
Two: Barton Springs
Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre swimming hole in Zilker Park, fed by underground springs. The water stays at about the same cool temperature all year. In August, it’s a shock. In late October, it’s just refreshing, and the crowd is a fraction of summer’s.
There’s an entry fee at most times, with some free hours. Check the schedule and closure days.
I think every UT student should swim there in the fall at least once. The grassy hillside is a good place to read afterward.
Three: where can you hike?
The Barton Creek Greenbelt. It’s a long strip of trail and limestone cliffs along a creek on the southwest side of town, with several access points. When there’s been rain, there are swimming holes. When it’s dry, the creek bed is a rock path.
Wear real shoes and bring water. Download a map, since it’s easy to lose the trail. Go with a friend and be out before dark.
Closer to West Campus, the Shoal Creek Trail runs south toward downtown and makes a good walk or run without a bus ride.
Four: sunset
Mount Bonnell is a hilltop park west of campus. A short flight of stone stairs leads to a view over the river and the hills. Go at sunset. It gets busy, and it’s still worth it. You need a car or a ride.
Downtown, the Congress Avenue Bridge has a huge bat colony that flies out at dusk in the warm months. By late fall, the bats head south, so check whether they’re still around.
How do you fit this around school?
Mornings. A run or walk on the trail before a ten o’clock class is realistic from West Campus. During midterms, thirty minutes outside is the best break there is.
Save the greenbelt and the springs for a free weekend. An away-game Saturday is a good pick.
What should parents know?
Know that late October and November are the months to visit. The weather is easy, and on a non-game weekend, hotels are reasonable.
Walk the lake trail with your student. Have lunch on South Congress. Sit on the hill at Barton Springs. You’ll see why they like it here.
Ask the office about visitor parking before you come. West Campus is tight, and a rideshare from your hotel is often easier.
How long does it last?
A long time. Fall here stretches into December, and winter is mild. Halloween is a Saturday this year, October 31. The clocks fall back the next morning, Sunday, November 1. After that, sunset is around five-forty, so evening outings shift earlier and mornings get brighter.
That suits the trail fine.
For more about the area around Villas on Rio, see the neighborhood page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the Lady Bird Lake trail?
The full loop is about ten miles, with bridges that allow shorter loops.
Can you swim at Barton Springs in the fall?
Yes. The pool is spring-fed and stays at a steady temperature year-round. Check hours, fees and closure days.
Where is Villas on Rio?
Villas on Rio is at 2111 Rio Grande Street, Austin, TX 78705.
Key Takeaways
- Fall is the outdoor season for students in UT housing.
- Walk or run the Lady Bird Lake trail in the morning.
- Swim at Barton Springs while the crowds are small.
- Hike the greenbelt with a friend and catch a Mount Bonnell sunset.