An Austin Original Since 1969
Howard and Dorothy Lopez Barnett started with 9 canoes on Barton Creek. More than 55 years later, we're still here.
Howard, Dorothy, and 9 Canoes
The story begins the way all good Austin stories do: someone looked at the water and thought, “everyone should see this.”
Howard Barnett grew up in Tyler, Texas, worked three seasons at Yellowstone, and eventually landed in Austin working for Texas Parks and Wildlife. One day, standing on the Lamar Street bridge looking out over Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake), he saw the spring-fed creek, the limestone banks, the cypress trees — and decided Austin needed a place to get on the water.
In 1969, Howard and his wife Dorothy Lopez Barnett launched Zilker Park Boat Rentals with 9 canoes on the banks of Barton Creek. Their 4-year-old daughter was there at the beginning. It was Austin's first boating concession at Zilker Park.
Howard and Dorothy were both founding members of the Austin Sierra Club — so from day one, the dock was as much about environmental stewardship as it was about a fun afternoon. That dual mission — get people on the water, make them love the water, make them want to protect the water — has never changed.
Austin's First Boating Concession
- Family-owned and operated since the beginning
- Hispanic-owned small business
- Founding members of the Austin Sierra Club
- Recognized by Council Member Ann Kitchen for 50 years in business
- First "Legacy Concessionaire" at Zilker Park — City of Austin, 2019
- Still $21/hr. Still cash only. Still worth it.
55+ Years on the Water
- 1969
Howard Sees Town Lake from the Lamar Bridge
Howard Barnett spotted Town Lake (now Lady Bird Lake) from the Lamar Street bridge and knew he wanted to share its beauty with Austin. Working for Texas Parks and Wildlife, he started Zilker Park Boat Rentals with just 9 canoes on the banks of Barton Creek — Austin's first boating concession. Dorothy Lopez Barnett and their 4-year-old daughter were there at launch.
- 1969+
Austin's First Boating Concession
Howard and Dorothy became founding members of the Austin Sierra Club, embedding Zilker Park Boat Rentals in Austin's earliest conservation community. The family-owned, Hispanic-owned business grew steadily alongside Austin itself.
- 1970s–80s
Generations on the Water
Through Austin's rapid growth, the dock stayed the same: a calm, family-run operation where anyone could get on the water for a modest hourly rate. The limestone banks and cypress trees hadn't changed. Neither had the price of getting a paddle in your hands.
- 1990s
Community Partnerships Deepen
The Barnett family formalized relationships with Austin community organizations — Sunshine Camps, Youth River Watch, Big Brothers Big Sisters — bringing groups who might never otherwise access the creek out to Barton Creek. The mission: paddling for everyone, regardless of budget.
- 2019
50 Years & First Legacy Concessionaire
Zilker Park Boat Rentals marked 50 years in continuous operation. Council Member Ann Kitchen formally recognized the Barnett family's contribution to Austin — and the City of Austin awarded them the first-ever "Legacy Concessionaire" designation at Zilker Park. A fitting honor for Austin's original boat rental.
- Today
Still Here. Still $21/hr.
More than 55 years after Howard first spotted Town Lake from the Lamar bridge, the dock is still right there on Barton Creek — same spring-fed water, same cypress trees, same cash-only honesty. We're still family-owned, still community-minded, and still convinced that time on the water makes everything better.
A “Legacy Concessionaire” — City of Austin
In 2019, marking 50 years in continuous operation, Zilker Park Boat Rentals received a formal recognition from Austin City Council Member Ann Kitchen and became the first-ever “Legacy Concessionaire” at Zilker Park from the City of Austin.
In a city that often tears down the old to build the new, it meant something — the recognition that a family, a dock, and 9 original canoes had become part of Austin's identity. The creek hasn't changed. The prices are still honest. The life jackets are still included.
We believe Austin is better for having a place where anyone can get on the water for $21 — no experience required, no reservations needed, no pretense. That's what Howard saw from the Lamar bridge, and that's what we're still offering today.
Our Community Mission
Learn how we bring paddling to Austin organizations with little or no budget — and the partners who make it possible.
Meet our community partners →Come Find Us
The dock is right where it's always been — bottom of the stairs near Barton Springs Pool, inside Zilker Park.
Directions & parking →Come See What We've Been Doing Since 1969
A day on Barton Creek is still one of the best things to do in Austin. Walk up anytime.