Floating Barton Creek by boat or innertube may be the most relaxing and enjoyable way to experience Austin's favorite waterway. Before you try a trip on the creek, you need a boat, a lifejacket, and a few essentials. Along with some common sense, this information should help you have a good time. Inflatable boats and innertubes adapt to shallow water better than hard boats. And they are also much easier to handle for novice boaters. Hard shell boats, including kayaks and canoes, require more skill than inflatable boats. Standard canoes can be used on the Hwy71 to Lost Creek section. The lower part of Barton Creek favors short, maneuverable boats. Don't attempt to float the creek in a hard boat unless you are confident of your abilities. The creek has lots of trees and rocks to wrap your canoe around. Travelling by boat in flowing water can be dangerous. Safe boating requires preparation and caution. Here are a few boating and tubing guidelines, a list of Barton Creek resources, and the Captain Day Trips Barton Creek Photo Gallery.

For the terrain oriented, we offer a rundown on hiking the greenbelt as well as guidelines for hiking, biking, and rock climbing.