Austin Swimming Holes / Canines

[doylehargraves]

I'm relatively new to Austin. Where's the best place to take a swim where you can bring along the canine? I've been down to the Green Belt / Barton Creek, but it's dry now for the most part. Can you bring dogs to Lake Travis?

 

[blacklab]

There's a few places to go around travis, but I stick closer to central austin.Red bud isle probably the best place right now. from mopac go west on Lake Austin Blvd, take a Left at Red bud isle. Go across the first bridge and turn left into the parking lot. The whole island is no leash park. I head to the southern tip of the island. Water is always cold and people are friendly.

Barton Springs area below barton springs inside zilker park. You can park behind the springs for free near the softball and soccer fields. This is not technically no leash and I have seen tickets issued for dogs off of leash. The cop I talked to said they don't give tickets when the temperature is over 100. Your milage may vary. Lots of familys and kids so if your dog is not people friendly it's not a good place to go. There are a few ducks and geese around which can provide hours of entertainment if you have a dog whose sole purpose in life is to catch waterfowl. I just haven't told her I'm supposed to shoot them first.

Bull Creek from mopac head west on 2222. Turn right on the last street before 360 just past county line and the fire station on your left. head north and after the low water crossing park in the small lot. I'm not sure if there is any water there right now, I'm gessing not. Lots of dogs and familys out there. My dogs have helped themselves to many hotdogs and potato chips from familys dining on blankets on the ground.

My dogs Nelly the black lab, Tucker the mutt and their good friend Marley the Jack Russell.

 

[whickums]

Bull Creek used to be my main dog park until 1)Summer came and 2)I moved. There is still water in it, though it definitely gets lower. The big problem I have with that park is that people who don't like dogs go there with their 15 kids and relatives and think they should be able to have a big 'ol barbecue and not have any dogs bother them. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't know it was a designated leash free park. My dog isn't too sure of kids, so we don't go out there during popular times anymore because there is always someone there with their 2 year old running around grabbing dogs in the face.

Red Bud is quickly becoming my favorite spot because there aren't any places to picnic so not a lot of people go there who don't have dogs. Lately I have seen some shady looking people sitting at the tip of the isle fishing. They're ugly to the dogs, but luckily there are a ton of little coves to use so people like that are avoidable.

 

[Campus Loop(y)]

When you say they are ugly to the dogs, how do you mean?

I love Red Bud when there are not a lot of people there. People forget you should not just let your dog roam and chit chat. Pay attention to your animal and make sure it keeps its manners. Some peoples dogs jump on people, bite at other dogs.."Oh, he just does that". No, he does not.

So I go in the non peak hours and def. not on a weekend unless early in the day. There is a group of us that go duing the non peak hours and it is a great group of people and dogs. I will keep an eye out for you two, Whicks.

I go far away from people at Bull Creek, where the rocks lower, by the falls. I avoid the loud crowds and all. But it is a great place, esp. after heavy rains and there is a slight current. My dog loves to swim in the current. Wonderful.

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

In reply to:

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[whickums]

Loopy,
I just mean they are rude and say mean things to the dogs if they get near them. They were screaming at this group last weekend to keep their dog on a leash. It just pisses me off because they take up the whole tail end of the park and are quite obnoxious. Plus, TK's jumping rock is right there.

We will look for you guys as well. We should start becoming regulars soon, after my life stabilizes a bit. We also adopted another dog, a blue Weim, and will be picking her up Monday. It will be a little while before I can trust her off leash, though.

 

[whickums]

BTW, here she is.
We finally got her here this evening.

Lola

Lola and TK

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

Lola is awesome! How old is she? Where did you get her? My brother's girlfriend has one that looks so similar - her name is Shleby. Weims are great dogs. Congrats on the new addition!

 

[Campus Loop(y)]

Damn, I had a post to enter but entered it when the site reboots so it is gone.

In summary: Whicks, what gorgeous dogs.

Tea: I like Red Bud weekdays before 3, 3:30 at latest w/ fave time before say, 11. I like Bull Creek anytime but I go waaay past the mass of people. Down past the falls and a bend or two past even that. Even on weekends moreso past 5 you won't run into many that far out.

People who just let their dogs go and chit chat in a circle are the worst. If some dog is really bad I let them know their dog is a menace and to please not come back to this area and that it is sad 'cuase it is not the dogs fault. But that is rare and they have to really ask for it.

We should maybe create a email list of HF dogs and get our dogs together. Form our own clique.

Tea, I think it was your dog that does not really swim? Whoever it was, we have to change this. You will be delighted w/ how tired and out of the way your dog gets, lol.

 

[whickums]

Thanks, guys.

We got her at Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas. I've been following the site for a couple of years waiting till I could get one. She is 5, which is great for me because she does not have that insane constant energy Weims are known for. She is pretty much on par with TK as far as energy goes. The only issue I forsee with her is that she's an alpha female and is quite pushy. I have my work cut out for me for a little while. She and TK haven't figured out who is boss yet, though. It's interesting to watch.

We typically go to the parks about 1-2 hrs before sunset, but I can see this changing as I start my new job working nights. I'm hoping Lola is responsive to traning so I can begin to trust her off leash. So far she just sticks her tongue out and keeps walking.

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

Okay, so it's not that my dog doesn't like swimming. He will get in the water and wade around, and enjoys getting in their and laying down. However, he doesn't "swim" even though he is a fantastic retriever on land, and if i throw his ball he will not go get it if the water is deeper than he can stand.
Soooo, the bottom line is, I am lazy and my dog has longish hair that gets crazy muddy and dirty and full of burrs, so then I have to go give him a bath and it's pain in the butt. And since he doesn't seem to enjoy it THAT much, i figure once in awhile is good enough

we really should have a hornfans dog happy hour some time! sammy is being spoiled with his grandparents and golden retriever cousin for the next 6 weeks while I am in greece, but we'll be back in august!

 

[CottonEyedHorn]

I used to take my dog to Bull Creek all the time when I lived in Austin. I got there by driving south on 360 from 183, take a left on Spicewood Springs. Immediate right into parking lot...

 

[whickums]

When it gets warmer, particularly in the summer, the water at Bull Creek dries up almost completely. We went there about a month ago after a rain, thinking the level would be swimmable, but the waterfall was completely dry and the section past the waterfall was mossed over. It was really gross. I have just kind of given up on going to Bull Creek, at least until it gets cooler. Red Bud will never dry up and its primary use is a leash free area- no picnic tables.

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

so, who would be up for a hornfans doggy "happy hour" at red bud some time?

 

[MilkmanDan]

Given that my dog was adopted from hornfans, we'd do our best to make it.

 

[whickums]

Count us in as well. We keep talking about this but never follow through.