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The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
4.7 ★★★★★ 1,187 Google reviews · Running trail in Austin, Texas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Boardwalk
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
7,250-ft. boardwalk along & across the lake, offering views of the shoreline, city & turtles.
What runners say about The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
“The boardwalk is very clean, safe, and stroller-friendly, making it perfect for a family outing.”
“While the city lights are beautiful, this path is best experienced during the day or through the "golden hour" at dawn and dusk.”
“It’s a perfect spot for an evening walk or run if you want something peaceful, scenic, and well kept.”
“Walking down it you get this hybrid sense of being somewhere quiet and relaxing, yet still surrounded by Austin’s ever expanding infrastructure.”
Great walking/biking path right in the heart of Downtown Austin with fabulous views of the city. Plenty of places to sit and take in the view. It wasn’t too crowded when I went, tons of people out walking their dogs. It’s was a highlight of my trip to Austin.
If you're just trying to enjoy a late afternoon outside, this is the place. If you're wanting to get serious cardio in, this is the place. If you're looking to do a fast brisk walk early in the morning, this is the place to do it.
This is my favorite part of my daily walk and was so excited when the city finished it. Very nice! Love strolling and stopping to take pictures of the downtown skyline. It is clean and well kept up. Be prepared to walk a really long ways though. Biking on it is always better unless you don’t mind the walk and the heat.
Beautiful family friendly place to enjoy evening in Austin. Lots of activities available. We saw walking, jogging, running, cycling: solo and families with all age groups and of course pets too. Best to arrived at least 2 hrs before sunset and park on the other side of the river.. Riverside or Caesar Chavez exits.
Trail conditions & character
“This is my third time visiting and I’m an early bird and it’s definitely worth it the views are breathtaking”
“The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake is an extremely fun trail that stretches around Lady Bird Lake in downtown Austin.”
“Walking down it you get this hybrid sense of being somewhere quiet and relaxing, yet still surrounded by Austin’s ever expanding infrastructure.”
“Highly dog friendly but just remember to watch for bikes as some cyclists don’t call out their passing.”
Plan your run at The Boardwalk at Lady Bird Lake
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfaceBoardwalk — flat and scenic, and slick when wet, so watch your footing
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteaustintexas.gov
- Phone(512) 974-6700
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Friday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–12 AM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–12 AM |
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Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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