Reservations Needed To Visit Barton Creek Greenbelt In Austin

AUSTIN, TX — Parks officials will require reservations from those hoping to visit the Barton Creek Greenbelt during the Fourth of July weekend to mitigate environmental and community impacts to the area from a growing influx of visitors.

To that end, the Hill of Life entrance of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, 1710 Camp Craft Rd., will require a reservation in advance of visits on July 3, 4, and 5. Reservations are free and can be made online. Park Rangers will be onsite during the reservation windows monitoring admission, Parks and Recreation Department officials said.

As one of the formally recognized 2020 Leave No Trace Hot Spots, environmental impacts at Barton Creek Greenbelt have reached a critical level and continue to worsen, officials said. With increased traffic to the Greenbelt, litter (including pet waste), erosion, trail damage, water quality issues, and injuries continue to rise, parks officials added.

Neighborhoods surrounding the residential entrances have been particularly impacted by heavy traffic, public intoxication and trash, according to a city advisory. While other entrances will remain open, park rangers will gather insight for future recommendations based the reservation system for the Hill of Life entrance to the Barton Creek Greenbelt from July 3-5.

Advance reservations are currently required for visitors Thursdays through Sundays at Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park, Emma Long Metropolitan Park and Walter E Long Metropolitan Park.

Reservations for all parks can be made online. Residents without a computer can leave voicemail at (512) 974-6797.