United States, North America

Austin in April

Peak bluebonnet season in the first half, swimming holes warming up, festival calendar full but manageable. Watch for severe thunderstorms and hail.

BestWarm, highs near 80F (27C), spring storms possible

Austin Texas skyline, United States — AustinPhoto: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0

The straight answer

April is one of the best months of the year to visit Austin. Peak bluebonnet season in the first half, swimming holes warming up, festival calendar full but manageable. Watch for severe thunderstorms and hail.

Weather: Warm, highs near 80F (27C), spring storms possible
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What April is like in Austin

April is Austin's best month. Highs reach about 80F (27C), the Hill Country roadsides turn blue with bluebonnets in the first half of the month, and swimming holes start warming up. Crowds and prices are moderate after the March rush. The one thing to watch is spring storms, which can bring hail, strong wind, and flash flooding.

This month suits nearly everyone: families, couples, first-time visitors, and anyone who loves wildflowers and patios. The only people who might wait are those set on warm swimming, which is better in May. Keep an eye on the forecast and never drive into water over a road.

Make the most of April

What is especially good about Austin this month.

Peak bluebonnet season

Bluebonnets usually peak in early April along Hill Country roads. Drive a few miles past the famous spots for empty fields.

The Wildflower Center in bloom

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is at its showpiece best in April, with fields of native flowers and a spring plant sale.

The bats return

The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are back by spring. Watch them pour out at dusk from the bridge or a boat on Lady Bird Lake.

What to pack for April

A light rain jacket for spring storms
Sunscreen and a hat
Comfortable shoes for wildflower walks
Allergy medicine for spring oak pollen

Our timing tip

Go for bluebonnets on a weekday morning in the first half of the month, and check the storm forecast before any Hill Country drive.

Book Austin for April.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in April, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for April
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Austin
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Austin
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Austin for April. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in April

Bluebonnet season

Late March to mid April, varies with winter rain

The state flower lines Hill Country highways. A wet fall and winter means a big year; a dry one means sparse fields.

Things to do in Austin

Full guide

Barton Springs Pool

Go at opening on a weekday for the quiet swim. Check the city schedule for weekly cleaning closures and reduced winter hours before you drive over.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Congress Avenue Bridge bat flight

Roughly March through October, the Mexican free-tailed bats pour out at dusk. Watch from the bridge, the lawn by the Statesman site, or a boat on Lady Bird Lake. Late summer brings the biggest flights.

Tickets and tours →

Texas State Capitol

Taller than the US Capitol and free to tour, with guided tours daily. The grounds are a shaded escape downtown and a good first stop with kids.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Bullock Texas State History Museum

The best one-stop primer on Texas, a block from the Capitol. A reliable air-conditioned half day in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Peak bloom runs March through May. The spring plant sale and the bluebonnet fields make April the showpiece month.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Zilker Park and Lady Bird Lake

Rent a kayak or paddleboard, walk the 10-mile Butler Trail loop, and picnic on the Great Lawn. Before 9am in summer is the only sane window.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Check the SXSW, ACL, F1, and UT football calendars before you book anything. A random weekend in October can cost double the weekend before it.
Stay midweek. Austin fills with weekend visitors and bachelor and bachelorette parties Thursday through Saturday; Sunday through Wednesday hotel rates drop hard.
Barbecue lines: arrive before the pit opens on a weekday, or order ahead where it is offered. Many famous spots sell out of brisket by early afternoon.
For bluebonnets, go on a weekday morning and drive past the famous roadside spots; fields a few miles farther out are just as good and nearly empty.

Know before you go

ACL Fest closes a large part of Zilker Park for weeks around the festival for setup and recovery, and Barton Springs parking and access are affected. Check city notices if a swim is on your October list.
Barton Springs Pool closes for regular cleaning and occasional flood debris; a big rain upstream can shut it for days. Always check the pool page the morning you go.
Hamilton Pool and many Hill Country swimming spots close swimming after heavy rain or for bacteria counts, sometimes for long stretches. Reservations do not guarantee a swim.
Central Texas sits in Flash Flood Alley. Spring and fall storms can flood low-water crossings in minutes. Never drive into water over a road; turn around.