With the right perspective, and the right vehicle, you can find Adventure Everywhere
Published June 16, 2026 11:50AM
Think Austin is just about live music and barbecue? Think again. This Texas charmer is a world-class outdoor destination that blends its signature take on Southern culture with adventures within the city limits and beyond.
Adventure Everywhere with a vehicle that elevates every drive, whether you’re having a night out on the town or traveling to a state park.
Meet the capable and versatile 2027 Telluride X-Pro and Telluride Turbo-Hybrid.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock encompasses a pink granite dome that rises above the surrounding hills and begs to be explored. The park has 11 miles of trail, but you’re focused on the .8-mile Summit Trail, which rises to the top of the dome, winding past vernal pools along the way. Want a more vertical approach? Dozens of established climbing routes ascend the dome and surrounding rock outcroppings, from breezy 5.5s to stouter 5.11s.
Downtown Austin
Grab a room at The Driskill, an iconic hotel in the heart of downtown that has welcomed travelers since 1886. The Victorian, the hotel bar that melds the rustic charm of a saloon with the civilized vibe of an English pub, is a great place for a nightcap. You’re also within walking distance of Austin’s legendary barbecue restaurants and live music venues, so make time for an evening stroll.
Dripping Springs
The only thing prettier than the wineries dotting the hills outside the small town of Dripping Springs? The scene at Hamilton Pool Preserve, an oasis featuring a clear pool amid an amphitheater of moss-covered cliffs. You can’t swim in the pool, but the hiking trails surrounding the oasis offer a scenic bang for the buck. Sample the local goods at Bell Springs Winery, where you can see the winemaking process firsthand.
Inks Lake State Park
An hour northwest of Austin, Inks Lake State Park protects 1,200 acres of Texas Hill Country on a dramatic bend in the Colorado River. Large sections of the lake are designated no-wake zones, so you can easily paddle along the rock-lined shores. On land, you can hike 1.8 miles through pecan groves to scenic views and wildflowers on the Pecan Flats Trail. If you want to spend the night, the park has tent and RV options, as well as primitive walk-in sites.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
You don’t have to leave the city to find adventure. The Barton Creek Greenbelt runs for 12 miles through South Austin, connecting parks, swimming holes, and bouldering crags along Barton Creek. Zilker Park, with the enticing Barton Springs Pool, is the closest access point to downtown. Bring your bathing suit.
Hidden Falls Adventure Park
Less than an hour from downtown, Hidden Falls encompasses 2,100 acres of Hill Country terrain with 80 miles of 4WD trails to explore over rocky paths and the occasional creek crossing. Bring your own whip or rent one of the park’s ATVs. Trails are marked and rated for difficulty, and the park has everything you need on-site, from a general store and food truck to campsites and cabins.
Parish BBQ
You have to be bold to open another barbecue restaurant in Austin, a city swimming in brisket. Fortunately, Parish Barbecue is bold. At this food truck, much-loved chef Holden Fulco serves his Cajun-inspired approach to classics like brisket and ribs. Think smoked brisket po’boys and you’re on the right track.
The Veloway
This paved three-mile loop is open only to cyclists and skaters, so wheel lovers have it all to themselves as the pavement carves through 100 acres of woods next to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
South Austin Trail Network (SATN)
See the Bats
Every night at sunset, thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from the Congress Avenue Bridge and fly over Lady Bird Lake. You can see them from the bridge, but the view is best from a boat on the lake.
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