AUSTIN — Getting around Zilker Park will be easier again this summer. Beginning Saturday, May 23, 2026, the free Zilker Loop returns to weekend and holiday service, offering visitors a simple way to reach some of the park’s most popular attractions without the stress of navigating crowded parking areas.
The seasonal shuttle operates from the Stratford Parking Lot, a less congested entry point on the south side of the park. From there, riders can hop aboard and travel directly to Zilker Botanical Garden, Barton Springs Pool, and—new this year—the Zilker Hillside Theater, home of the Zilker Summer Musical.
Visitors who choose the shuttle can also save a little money. By using a code in the Park ATX App, the first two hours of parking in the Stratford Lot can be waived. Additional parking time can be paid or renewed through the app. Weekend and holiday parking at Zilker Park currently costs $3 per hour.
The Zilker Loop will run every Saturday, Sunday, and on select holidays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., beginning May 23 and continuing through Labor Day, September 7, 2026. Holiday service includes Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, and Labor Day. And for fans of the Zilker Summer Musical, the shuttle will extend its hours from July 10 through August 16, operating until the end of each performance to help ease traffic and support theatergoers.
The route features four designated stops:
- Stratford Lot
- Barton Springs Pool
- Beverly S. Sheffield (Zilker)
- Hillside Theater & Violet Crown Trailhead
- Zilker Botanical Garden
Shuttles will circulate approximately every 20 minutes. For safety and comfort, pets and coolers are not permitted on board.
For more details about the Zilker Loop, visit AustinTexas.gov/Zilker.
