Best outdoor adventures near DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin: Hiking, paddling and more for gameday

Texas fans have seen this movie twice already and don't love the ending. Ohio State knocked out of the 2024 CFP in the Cotton Bowl semifinal, 28-14, on their way to that season's national title, then beat them again 14-7 in last year's season opener.

Now the preseason No. 1 Buckeyes are coming to Austin to face the No. 5 Longhorns for the latest installment, with "College GameDay" setting up on campus and a primetime kickoff on ABC. Arch Manning gets his shot at the rematch at home this time.

Whether that ends better for Texas or not, you'll have all day to burn off the nerves beforehand.

Austin doesn't require much of an excuse to get outside, and with a 6:30 kickoff, you've got a full day to work with before the stadium lights come on. From paddling downtown to ziplining over Lake Travis, here's where to go, all within an hour of DKR.

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A word on conditions: mid-September in Austin still runs hot, with highs typically in the low-to-mid 90s. Front-load anything exposed or physical into the morning and stay hydrated.

Under 10 minutes from DKR | ~$20-30/hour rental

About as close to the stadium as it gets. Rent a paddleboard or kayak from an outfitter like The Rowing Dock or Austin Paddle Shack and glide out onto calm, no-motorboats-allowed water with the downtown skyline as your backdrop — including a pass under the Congress Avenue Bridge, home to the city's famous bat colony.

About 10 minutes from DKR | Roughly $5-9 entry

The single best way to beat the heat on a 90-plus-degree gameday. This spring-fed pool inside Zilker Park holds a constant 68 degrees year-round, no matter how hot it gets outside. It's an Austin institution, so you can expect company. But it's worth the crowd.

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About 15 minutes from DKR | Free

A steep but short climb — around 100 stairs — leads to a stunning overlook of the Colorado River, Lake Austin and the city skyline. There's essentially no shade at the top, so this is a morning or evening stop, not a 2 p.m. one.

15-20 minutes from DKR | Free

Austin's default answer for hiking and mountain biking, cutting through limestone canyon terrain right in the middle of the city. When water levels cooperate, several swimming holes open up along the trail, too.

About 20 minutes from DKR | Roughly $6 entry

Somehow this feels like a different state entirely despite being 20 minutes from downtown. Onion Creek's Upper and Lower Falls offer swimming holes and hiking trails that make you forget 100,000 people are about to pack into a stadium nearby.

25-35 minutes from DKR | $135/person for the full tour

This is the splurge pick. Five ziplines over roughly three hours, including Texas's longest line, plus a short hike and a boat ride built into the tour. If your crew wants one big memorable activity (and do