Grand Opening of Violet Crown Trailhead

Marking the northern terminus of what will become a 30-mile regional trail system and the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas, the new steel “Zero” trailhead is designed to connect people to nature, while protecting the lands and water that sustain us. It’s a bold vision to link Austin to the Hill Country, blending recreation, enjoyment, and long-term conservation. Today, the Violet Crown Trail spans 13 miles from Zilker Park to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

As a key landmark along the Violet Crown Trail, the trailhead supports essential wayfinding, offers places for respite, and celebrates the environmental richness of the Greenbelt. Observation decks with interpretive signage, shaded limestone seat walls, and a series of rustic gateways help orient visitors while honoring the transition from bustling city park to immersive wildland. These elements also highlight the critical role native ecosystems play in protecting Austin’s water supply.

The Violet Crown Trail is Central Texas’ first regional trail system, stretching from Hays County north into Austin and culminating at Zilker Park. The Violet Crown Trailhead carries cultural, ecological, and community importance. Commissioned by the Hill Country Conservancy in 2016, TBG provided landscape architecture and branded environments services to shape this gateway in a way that balances functional demands with deep respect for the site’s extraordinary character.

The resulting design embraces simplicity and naturalism: monumentation and signage that reflect the spirit of place, materials that belong to the landscape, and spatial cues that signal arrival into one of Austin’s most beloved outdoor destinations. Crafted to elevate the visitor experience without overwhelming it, the trailhead reinforces the enduring connection between the community, the trail, and the land itself.

About Hill Country Conservancy
Founded in 1999, Hill Country Conservancy works collaboratively with landowners and conservation groups to protect important watersheds, recharge areas, native wildlife habitat, and agricultural viability in the Hill Country. Renowned for consummating complex conservation projects with a variety of partners, HCC holds 29 conservation easements totaling over 15,000 acres, which has collaborated with partners in conserving thousands more acres within the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer area of the Texas Hill Country, as well as protection of critical lands within other basins.