Lady Bird Lake Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Lady Bird Lake. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Tour

• Austin in a Nutshell Bike Tour with a Local Guide

• Guided Sunset Bat Kayak Tour in Austin

• Austin Icons Bicycle Tour

• Austin Art and Architecture Bicycle Tour

It’s free to visit Lady Bird Lake, a recreational spot surrounded by trails and parks. To explore the area with ease, some visitors choose a kayaking tour; these are typically upwards of US$30, and bike tours can be US$54 and up.

Yes, Lady Bird Lake is definitely worth visiting, as it's one of Austin's most scenic outdoor locales and a popular place to enjoy the city's skyline and green spaces. Many visitors ride past it on bike or e-bike tours, which offer guided navigation and insightful commentary too. Others opt for kayaking tours that let you experience the lake's beauty directly from the water.

Per one customer who booked the Austin Biker Gang E-Bike Tour, "This was one of my favorite experiences I had while I was in Austin. Captain Edge was a great tour guide and the e-bikes were very fun to ride."

No, you can’t swim in Lady Bird Lake. While it might be tempting to take a dip, swimming is just not allowed in the lake due to pollution and safety requirements. If you’re in Austin and can’t wait to get in the water somewhere, you can try the Barton Springs Pool or Deep Eddy Pool.

Yes, you can hike around Lady Bird Lake. Lace up your hiking boots (sneakers will do), put on your best brim hat, and hit the Anne and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a low-grade 10-mile (16 kilometers) route from Red Bud Isle to the Longhorn Dam and back.

If you’re looking for animal encounters at Lady Bird Lake, look for the city’s famed colony of bats—hundreds of thousands of them often fly over the lake around sunset. During the day, you’re likely to spot birds such as coots, egrets, herons, and kingfishers—and the occasional sunning alligator.

Walking around the Anne and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, a low-grade 10-mile (16 kilometers) route that circumnavigates the reservoir from Red Bud Isle to the Longhorn Dam and back, should take at least 3–4 hours. Biking around the trail can take as little as one hour.

Yes, there are events and festivals held at Lady Bird Lake. They’re usually held at Auditorium Shores and the Long Center for Performing Arts on the south side of the lake and range from the Austin Food & Wine Festival in November to the Austin Reggae Festival in April.

Yes, parking is available near Lady Bird Lake. While walking or taking public transportation is recommended, if you’re driving and arriving early enough, you can find free parking at Zilker Park. There’s additional parking at Red Bud Isle and Auditorium Shores

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Lady Bird Lake. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Austin:

• Texas Capitol

• Congress Avenue Bridge (South Congress Bridge)

• 6th Street

• Driskill Hotel (The Driskill)

• LBJ Presidential Library

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Austin.