Mount Bonnell is a popular natural viewpoint overlooking Lake Austin and the Colorado River, providing spectacular panoramic views of the Austin skyline and the city's surrounding hills and valleys. At a height of 775 feet above sea level, the mount is commonly thought of as the highest point within Austin city limits, though nearby Mount Barker surpasses its height at 840 feet. The mount is believed to have been named for newspaper magnate George W. Bonnell, though some historians believe it may have instead been named for Texas Army Captain Joseph Bonnell, a key figure in the state's fight for independence. In 1969, the mount was listed as a Texas Historic Landmark, and in 2015, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. A series of 102 stairs provide easy visitor access to the top of the mount, with a view deck and pavilion offered at the top for picnics and relaxation. Map