Barton Creek is a tributary that feeds the Colorado River as it flows through the Texas Hill Country. The creek passes through some of the more scenic areas in Greater Austin, surrounded in many parts by a greenbelt of protected lands that serves as a habitat for many indigenous species of flora and fauna. The creek passes through Barton Creek Greenbelt and is fed by Barton Springs.

Course

The creek begins in northern Hays County and flows east through Austin, draining into the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in southwest Austin.

Recreation

During rainy seasons, upper Barton Creek hosts water recreation including kayaking, tubing, and swimming. The Lower Barton Creek Greenbelt features these water sports year-round with swimming in Barton Springs Pool, and kayaking and canoeing in the creek fed with the discharge from the springs.

<gallery class="center" widths="180px">

File:Barton Creek TX waterfall 1.jpg|Waterfall on Barton Creek

File:Barton Creek Vizsla.jpg|A Vizsla standing near the Little Barton Creek confluence

File:360 Barton Springs 5July08 (9).JPG|Barton Springs

File:Zilker canoe.jpg|Barton Creek near the Colorado River confluence

</gallery>

See also

  • Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
  • Barton Creek, Texas
  • List of rivers of Texas

References

  • "Shield Ranch Barton Creek named the first Urban Night Sky Place in Texas" by DarkSky International (July 23, 2024)
  • The Nature Conservancy: Barton Creek Habitat Preserve
  • Austin’s Barton Creek: Rope Swing, Bridge Jump