Central Texas is home to beautiful swimming holes where you can cool down and explore the natural surroundings. Check out our roundup of favorite natural swimming holes below. Enjoy!
— Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin
The Green Belt has long been a popular destination for summer swims in Austin. While it’s certainly a gambit to see how much water is there on account of high temperatures and evaporation, there’s bound to be at least one spot with enough H20 to sit in. It’s just a matter of hiking your way down to it. With the Green Belt stretching some 7.9 miles, popular spots include Campbell’s Hole, Gus Fruh, Sculpture Falls, and Twin Falls. Check out the official Texas Green Belt directory of trails here, and check here for more info about swimming in the Greenbelt.
— Barton Springs in Austin
Located in Zilker Park, the 3-acre crystal clear natural spring stays a cool 68 degrees year-round, making it ideal for the super hot days in Austin. Barton Springs Pool has diving boards, a large shallow area, public restrooms, and several lifeguards daily. We recommend going at night to howl at the moon! Check here to review the details and info about entry fees.
— Bird Haus Farms Swimming Hole in Spring Branch, Texas
About an hour southwest of Austin, you’ll find Bird Haus Farms and their gorgeous swimming hole. The swimming hole at Bird Haus Farms has a manmade waterfall and is built into a wet weather creek. The swimming hole has a liner underneath to hold water, and there is a beach area perfect for basking in the sun and watching the kids as they wade into the beach entry swimming area. Entry is just for overnight guests and you can book here.
— Blanco State Park in Blanco
Blanco State Park, about an hour west of Austin, is one of the smaller of the Texas State Parks in the area, making it easy to navigate once you arrive. Just pick a good spot along the one-mile stretch of the Blanco River, and set up for a fun day along the water. You can swim, paddle, fish, or float. On land, you can picnic, geocache, or sit back and relax under a huge cypress tree to enjoy the scenery. Day passes are $5 per adult, and children age 12 and under are free, but you’ll need to make a reservation. Check here to read about our visit to Blanco State Park.
— Blue Hole in Georgetown
Just a quick, 20-minute drive north of Austin will get you to the beautiful Blue Hole in Georgetown. This FREE swimming hole is easy to get to. It’s mostly deep, so you will want to bring some floaties. People are not allowed to jump the cliffs surrounding the main part of the swimming hole, but it hasn’t stopped anyone from doing so anytime we’ve been. The entrance to Blue Hole Park is at W. 2nd St. and Rock St., from there you walk the trail (which is really a giant sidewalk) to Blue Hole. There are picnic tables, restrooms, and shaded areas. For more information, please call (512) 930-3595. Check here for more info, and please note: There is currently an ordinance that no alcohol is allowed in the park.
— Blue Hole in Wimberley
A 40-minute drive to Wimberley brings you to a gorgeous swimming hole. Blue Hole is surrounded by 126 acres of forest and grasslands and sports a unique ecosystem that houses a variety of fish, reptiles, mammals, and plant species. Kids are welcome to explore the bountiful wildlife and then enjoy a dip in the water, which is surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, many equipped with rope swings. Blue Hole is open for swimming with two time slots you can book: 9 am – 1 pm or 2 – 6 pm. Reserve your spots here, and lastly, read about our experience visiting Blue Hole.
— Deep Eddy Pool in Austin
Austin is also home to plenty of man-made pools which allow public access including Deep Eddy Pool, located in Central Austin. The pool, which is fed from a natural spring, caters to kids with a very shallow area and grassy sitting area. Check here for an updated pool schedule and more info.
— Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Austin
Emma Long Metropolitan Park is a large municipal park on the shores of Lake Austin, and it’s a great place to spend a day with the family. It’s open seven days a week and includes a long stretch of lake lined with oak and juniper trees, offers boat access, plenty of room for swimming, a small sandy beach area for kids to play, lots of picnic tables and grills, bathrooms, and hiking trails, too. We suggest arriving early to beat the afternoon heat and avoid peak crowds. You’ll find plenty of families who bring picnics and food for grilling with plans to spend the whole day in the shade of the big trees. Note: from Monday through Wednesday, payment is made at the entry pay station. Friday through Sunday, you must book reservations in advance online. Read more about our visits to Emma Long.
— Inks Lake State Park in Burnet
Inks Lake State Park is located about 50 miles northwest of Austin in Burnet, Texas. It’s a gorgeous Hill Country gem known for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, picturesque sunsets, and of course, jumping off rocks into the cool waters of the Devil’s Waterhole. Because the water in this lake comes from the Colorado River and usually stays consistent, you can enjoy it year-round and go for a swim any day the weather is warm enough for a dip. We recommend wearing water shoes and bringing along floats. Day passes are $6 for adults, and children ages 12 & under are free. For more park details visit the Inks Lake State Park website where you can also book your reservation. Read all about our visit to Inks Lake.
— Jacob’s Well in Wimberley – (Swimming for 2024 is suspended until further notice)
Update from Hays County Parks for 2024: “Jacob’s Well is currently experiencing historically low water conditions that are unsafe for swimming.” The park is still open for hiking and viewing. Check here for more info.
—Krause Springs in Spicewood.
Listed in the Natural Registration of Historical Places, Krause Springs is surely one of the most magical places to swim. Located 30 miles outside of Austin, Krause hosts over 34 small springs, a waterfall, a man-made wallowing pool, and a natural swimming pool so there are plenty of places for the little ones to get their toes wet. A rope swing and several small cliffs add to the excitement. If you are planning to stay the weekend there are plenty of camping areas. Krause Springs is open from 9 am – 8 pm. Adults are $10 (12+), children 4-11 years old are $6, and it’s free for children under 4. There is an additional cost for overnight camping, and you can check here for a big list of FAQs before you go. To check weekend availability, please call (830) 693-4181 for an update on capacity. Krause Springs also provides updates, when possible, on social media channels.
— McKinney Falls State Park in Austin
McKinney Falls State Park is located in Austin at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, just 13 miles southeast of the State Capitol. There’s lots to do at the park, from swimming, camping, hiking, and mountain biking, to fishing, and more. The park is open every day and is $6 per day per adult. Children 12 and under are free. You are welcome to camp as well, more info on that can be found here. There are lots of trails, lots of wide open spaces, and water that you can wade or jump in. It’s great for families! Day passes and camping reservations are strongly recommended. Make reservations online or by calling (512) 389-8900.
— Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City
This popular State Park is about 30 miles west of Austin at the Pedernales River in Johnson City, TX where you can go enjoy an afternoon swim, hike, or even ride horses. Please note: swimmers are asked to read the park’s safety tips before heading in because the water in the river can rise from a placid stream to a raging torrent in a few minutes, and you’ll need to be alert to weather conditions. Open Wednesdays-Sundays, 8 am – 5 pm. Admission is $6 per day per adult; children 12 & under are free. Book your reservation. Read all about our visit to Pedernales Falls.
More Natural Swimming Spots:
- Hamilton Pool Preserve (note that this one’s swim status changes often. As of May 2024, swimming is not allowed. Check the website for the latest updates before you plan to go.)
- Frio River & Garner State Park
- Llano River Slab
- Lake Travis
- Texas Beaches
