United States, North America

Austin in July

The grind. Outdoor anything between noon and 6pm is miserable. If you come, live on the springs, the lake, and the bats.

Think twiceVery hot, highs near 97F (36C), many 100F days

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

The straight answer

July is a month to think twice about visiting Austin. The grind. Outdoor anything between noon and 6pm is miserable. If you come, live on the springs, the lake, and the bats.

Weather: Very hot, highs near 97F (36C), many 100F days
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What July is like in Austin

July is a grind in Austin. Highs sit near 97F (36C), many days pass 100F, and nights stay warm. Being outside between noon and 6pm is miserable, and Hill Country hikes are off the table. Crowds are light and prices are low, since most visitors stay away. Locals cope by living on the springs, the lake, and the evening bat flights.

This month is best avoided unless summer is your only option. If you do come, plan a water-and-air-conditioning rhythm and it can still work well for families. For a far more comfortable trip, choose April, May, October, or November.

Make the most of July

What is especially good about Austin this month.

Early morning swims

Barton Springs and Deep Eddy are the best places in the city on a July morning. Go at opening.

The bats at dusk

The Congress Avenue Bridge colony puts on a big show at sunset. Watch from the bridge or a boat on the lake.

Low summer rates

Hotels are cheap, especially Sunday through Wednesday, so you can stay somewhere nicer for less.

What to pack for July

Light, loose, breathable clothes
A large water bottle and electrolyte packets
Strong sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses
A swimsuit and water shoes

Our timing tip

Swim at opening, spend noon to 5pm indoors, and head to the bat bridge around sunset, arriving early since timing changes night to night.

Book Austin for July.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Austin
Opens a hotel search for Austin in July, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for July
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 July. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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.

Austin in July, quick answers

Is July a good time to visit Austin?

July is a month to think twice about visiting Austin. The grind. Outdoor anything between noon and 6pm is miserable. If you come, live on the springs, the lake, and the bats.

What is the weather like in Austin in July?

Very hot, highs near 97F (36C), many 100F days.

Is Austin crowded in July?

July is one of the quieter months in Austin; most sights can be done without long waits.