Lady Bird Lake Tours and Activities

Lady Bird Lake which includes a lake or waterhole, a city and a skyscraper
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake
Lady Bird Lake showing a high-rise building, central business district and landscape views
Lady Bird Lake


Slicing through the centre of Austin is this oasis for watersports, hiking, biking and some plain old relaxing.

Lady Bird Lake is a man-made reservoir formed in 1960, and has since become a well loved recreational attraction. A sprawling 190 hectares in the centre of Austin, the lake divides the city evenly. Motorboats are prohibited on the lake (except for electric motors under 5 horsepower), so the calm, still waters are an ideal spot for kayakers and canoers. The massive population of fish in the lake make this a popular spot for recreational fishing. There are daily limits on the fish you can catch and keep, so check the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for details.

The extensive 16-kilometre Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail circling the lake is mostly flat, and is favoured by bikers, hikers and joggers alike. You can easily rent a bike from the bike shops around the city. There are also plenty of places you can rent a kayak, canoe or rowing boat to paddle on the lake. Swimming, however, is forbidden here.

Relax in the beautiful gardens along the shore, which resulted from the efforts of former First Lady of the United States Lady Bird Johnson. The lake was named in honour of her to recognise the important contribution she had made to the city's image in the 1970s.

Under the Ann W. Richards Congress Avenue Bridge resides the largest urban bat colony in the world. Stretching from downtown Austin across the lake to the area of Bouldin, the bridge is home to about 1.5 million bats. Between March and November, this colony emerges from under the bridge in search of food. Head to the Statesman Bat Observation Centre for the best view of the sunset flight, where bats spiral out by the hundreds of thousands and flit off into the night. Have your camera on hand for this unusual, breathtaking sight on the Austin skyline.

Lady Bird Lake is a reservoir on the Colorado River in downtown Austin.

Tours & day trips

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Water activities

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Adventure & outdoor

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Cruises & boat tours

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Popular places to visit


Top Lady Bird Lake Hotel & Accommodation Deals

citizenM Austin Downtown

citizenM Austin Downtown

4 out of 5
617 COLORADO ST, Austin, TX
citizenM Austin Downtown
Hampton Inn Austin East Side 5th Street

Hampton Inn Austin East Side 5th Street

2.5 out of 5
2033 E. 5th Street, Austin, TX
Hampton Inn Austin East Side 5th Street
Austin Southpark Hotel

Austin Southpark Hotel

3.5 out of 5
4140 Governors Row, Austin, TX
Austin Southpark Hotel
Fairmont Austin

Fairmont Austin

4 out of 5
101 Red River St, Austin, TX
Fairmont Austin
Hotel Van Zandt

Hotel Van Zandt

4 out of 5
605 Davis Street, Austin, TX
Hotel Van Zandt
Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown

Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown

3 out of 5
68 Eeast Ave, Austin, TX
Cambria Hotel Austin Downtown
Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin East Side 5th Street

Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin East Side 5th Street

3 out of 5
2033 E. 5th Street, Austin, TX
Home2 Suites by Hilton Austin East Side 5th Street
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

Hyatt Place Austin Downtown

3 out of 5
211 E 3rd St, Austin, TX
Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
ARRIVE Austin

ARRIVE Austin

4 out of 5
1813 E 6th St, Austin, TX
ARRIVE Austin
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.