20 Backyards on Zillow That’ll Inspire You to Get Outside

Now that the chilly days are (mostly) behind us, it’s time to start planning some outdoor activities at home. Is a family barbecue in your future? A picnic with friends? How about a friendly competition at the race track out back? 

We’re not kidding. In honor of the coming summer months, we rounded up tours of some of the most, dare we say incredibly unique outdoor spaces we’re seeing right now on Zillow. Certain backyard features, including some of the ones you’ll see below, have become a huge selling point in the past few years, reflecting a continued demand for homes with an outdoor escape baked in. From a private resort, to a hedge maze, to catios, these Zillow® listings have us excited to get some fresh air in some eccentric ways.

1. No Need to Buy Wine When You Own a Vineyard

Ever dreamed of living in a wine lover’s paradise? Well this 200-plus-acre estate in the Santa Ynez Valley is home to 80 acres of established vineyards. And it’s sitting right in the heart of the valley’s most-lauded wine region. Imagine sipping your own home-made wine while watching the sun set over the nearby mountains. It’s like having your very own piece of Tuscany, but with a Californian twist.

2. Bathe in Nature, Clawfoot Tub-Style

You can feel like you’ve traveled back in time among this single-acre property’s meandering paths, foot bridges, seasonal streams, and native plants all set against a backdrop of lichen-covered boulders. Imagine you’re wandering about one day when you come upon a clawfoot tub, hidden among some lush greenery. You can soak in peace while watching the sunset, and listen to the birds serenading you the whole time.

3. Sweat it Out in the Sauna or on the Court

Some homes may have a sauna. Others may have a half-basketball court. This backyard has both, and they’re surrounded by flowers and trees. After winning a game (or several) against your friends, you can all relax in the dry sauna that fits four. Alternatively, you could get even sweatier in the in-ground trampoline. This backyard is your oyster.

4. This Backyard is A-MAZE-ing

Unlike a certain garden maze in a certain Kubrick horror flick, this home boasts a hedge maze with low walls in warm central California. And your reward at the end is an extra-large concrete chess board, complete with a full set of pieces. You can wind your way through the whole home through its 3D tour.

5. A River-Wrapped Fire Pit

Sometimes you just want to float around and be gently swept upriver. Or is that just us? This Texas home has a pool and a lazy river, so you can choose your own adventure. A foot bridge takes you to an island in the center of said river with ample space to lay out in the sun — there’s also a nearby solarium for that. Let towels be a thing of the past!

6. Art, Meet Architecture

There are various fascinating aspects to this home — built in the ‘80s, but focused on futurism. While the front of the home hosts thick curtains of cascading vines, the backyard has an assortment of giant, playful art installations. There are all sorts of sculptures dotting the home, titled “Entelechy II” by its creator. Pick your favorite when you take the tour.

7. Let’s Race! Winner Gets Dibs on the Hot Tub

No, we’re not talking about foot races. This 4.5-acre property includes a lengthy, fully paved, colorfully lit go-kart track — go-karts included — fit for an amusement park. Nearby, a swimming pool, hot tub, and cabanas wait for racers to dive in. A victory lap never sounded so good, on land or otherwise.

8. Tiny Greens on a Huge Property

This mansion in Scottsdale, Arizona, has space to practice your short game and long game out back, with a private nine-hole putting green, five chipping pads, and practice ranges measuring from 10 to 65 yards long. And you’ll have a view of the surrounding mountains while you’re out there. When you tire after an intense afternoon of putting, you can take a dip in one of the two resort-style pools nearby.

9. Cook Al Fresco, Every Day

It’s one thing to have a grill in your backyard. But having an entire kitchen out back is on another level. It’s actually a feature that’s been gaining popularity with home buyers over the last couple of years — in fact, a home with an outdoor kitchen can sell for 3.1% more than homes without one. This house’s outdoor kitchen has a mini-fridge, storage drawers, an oven, and a grill — all stainless steel. And of course, it has an outdoor TV too, another feature that buyers are looking for. 

10. Waterfalls on Waterfalls on Waterfalls

We imagine this home’s architect thinking, “We heard you liked waterfalls, so we put a waterfall inside your waterfall.” One large waterfall cascades from beneath a stone bridge into a series of other, smaller, waterfalls, that then feed into a grotto. To keep the good times flowing, the other side of this 15,000 square foot home in Austin, Texas, has an infinity pool and hot tub overlooking Lake Travis. Take a peek at the mission-style pavilion, complete with a stone hearth and a full wet bar.

11. Host Your Own Kentucky Derby at Home

This equestrian-obsessed property was made for people who love horses. The main home has a huge kitchen fit for a chef, high ceilings, and plenty of wood beams. But let’s get to the real star of the show: the racetrack. Imagine zipping around the track, feeling the wind at your back, and the adrenaline pumping through your veins. And when you’re not having fun on the track, you can invite friends over to watch you train your horses in your indoor arena, from your viewing gallery. Need a break from the action? Retreat to the 12-stall barn complete with locker rooms, a staff lounge, and even a saloon. Yeehaw!

12. Try Not to Feel Romantic in This Garden

Gardeners and nature enthusiasts are often attracted to greenery because it gives them a sense of peace, or it feels like you’ve been transported somewhere else. This home’s backyard garden was meticulously crafted for peak romance. Mature trees hang overhead, shrubs and flowers crawl along the ground. There are also a couple gazebos that are the perfect place to dramatically confess your feelings to your crush.

13. Chillin’ at the Boat Dock

When you live on a lake, obviously you have to have a boat. And if you have a boat, obviously you need a two-story dock for said boat. This home in Austin, Texas, is right on the shores of Lake Austin, and has all sorts of outdoor amenities by the water. First, there’s an outdoor lounge space, equipped with a fireplace and TV. Nearby, there’s a pool and hot tub combo so you can go for a morning dip. The first floor of the boat dock features a kitchen area, with a grill and a bar. For a view of the lake from a different vantage point, head up to the dock’s second floor, where a dining table and a couple of decked-out (pun intended) mattresses will greet you. Here, you can fall asleep to the sounds of real waves lapping at the shore.

14. Soak, in the Desert

Taking in the views of Arizona’s McDowell Mountains isn’t an arid affair on this property. This home boasts a curvy pool, a waterfall, and some desert-friendly plants. You can also cook up dinner by the pool in the outdoor kitchen, fancy grill and plenty of counter space included.

15. Happy Cat, Happy Life 

If you’re a cat lover (or a cat) reading this, this is your dream come true. Catios vary in size and style, and we love that this one is tall, wide, and sits near the human’s own patio. With plenty of space for lounging and entertaining (in the catio and human patio), everyone can get in on the outdoor fun. 

16. Visit Asia, Without the Passport

This home took heavy inspiration from Cambodian, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Chinese cultures in its design, from the plants selected for the landscaping, to the stone carved statues found all around the property. Taking a stroll outside this home feels like walking around a carefully curated garden on the other side of the word, and the surrounding redwood trees and towering bamboo shoots support the illusion.

17. Forest, or River? Why Not Both?

This two-story cabin (plus a finished basement) sits on the bank of Utah’s Weber River, with wide open views not only of the water, but of the surrounding mountains. If taking a hike among some tall trees is more your style, you can do that too. In fact, this property sits on 27 acres of lush greenery. So you can decide if you’d rather cast a line or make friends with a squirrel.

18. No Need to Travel When You Own the Resort

Las Vegas doesn’t often have chilly days, but just in case you’re craving a dip on one of those cold afternoons, you can head out to your resort-style backyard and enjoy your massive 125,000-gallon heated pool, complete with a lazy river, raised spas, a waterslide, and a grotto that feels like a hidden tropical paradise. Add to that a mini golf course, a gazebo for those romantic evenings, and cabanas for ultimate relaxation. 

19. A Different Kind of Court

A number of homes on this list have some sort of court: tennis, basketball, pickleball. But we have yet to feature a volleyball court. Well, here it is: a sand volleyball court, its net standing tall and ready to ruin your best laid plans. This court also has a roomy seating area so you can have an audience watch you dominate. Also included in this home’s backyard: a pool and insane views of Los Angeles.

20. Where Do the Indoors End and the Outdoors Begin?

These homes are all about cool outdoor spaces; things that will get you out at any time of the day. In this home, there are many spaces that count as outdoors – even those that are technically part of the square footage. There are two floors that have outdoor living spaces: the first includes a pool, includes a lounging space, and opens up to the backyard, complete with views of the hills beyond. You can even enjoy a nice fireplace inside a glass solarium out back. The second floor includes a balcony with plentiful seating.

Even if you don’t have a private horse track or your own putting green out back (same), there are lots of ways you can enjoy the warmer weather, like creating your own outdoor movie theater, or getting your hands in some dirt. And if these homes have inspired you to get a pool for your place, here’s what that could entail. 

Just remember to wear sunscreen before you head out! And when you’re ready to look for your next home, Zillow will be here to connect you with some great agents, and help get you a home loan.