Central Texas is home to beautiful swimming holes where you can cool down and explore the natural surroundings. We’ve got pools, springs, creeks and more. Check out our roundup of favorite natural swimming holes below. Enjoy splashing!
_________
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 which 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: 9am – 1pm or 2 – 6pm. Reserve your spots here, and lastly, read about our experience visiting Blue Hole.
_________
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 probably one of our favorites. It’s easy to get to, it’s free and it’s usually not too crowded. It’s mostly pretty 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 went. 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. Click here for more info.
_________
Jacob’s Well in Wimberley
Jacob’s Well is about a 45-minute drive from Austin and is one of the most significant, natural geologic treasures in the Texas Hill Country. It is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas and is also an artesian spring. The well surges up thousands of gallons of water and acts as headwaters to Cypress Creek, which flows to the Blue Hole and the Blanco River. This is not a place to bring food and floaties to, as it is a protected and preserved wonder. But you can swim in it! There is no fee required for parking or to visit the nature preserve, but reservations are required for those wanting to swim. Adults $9; Hays County residents, children ages 5-12, seniors (60+), service members/veterans are $5; and children ages 4 and under FREE. Open from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. with no entry after 5:30 p.m. Click here for instructions on making a reservation.
_________
Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin
The Green Belt has long been a popular destination for summer swims in Austin. While it’s certainly always a gambit seeing how much water is actually going to be down there on a count of high temperatures and evaporation, there’s bound to be at least one spot with enough H20 to at least 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 within it include Campbell’s Hole, Gus Fruh, Sculpture Falls, and Twin Falls. Check out the official Texas Green Belt directory of trails here. Click here for more info about swimming in the Greenbelt.
_________
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 is lots to do at the park, from swimming, to camping, to hiking, to 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 pass and camping reservations are highly recommended. Make reservations online or by calling (512) 389-8900.
_________
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. Open from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Adults $9 (12+), children 4-11 years old $5, free for children under 4 (cash only). Additional cost for overnight camping. Click here to read a big list of FAQs before you go.
Should you be concerned about availability on weekends, please call (830) 693-4181 for an update on capacity. Krause Springs will also be providing updates, when possible, on social media channels.
_________
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 really hot days that we have come to dread so much. Barton Springs Pool comes equipped with diving boards, a large shallow area, public restrooms, and several lifeguards daily. We highly recommend going at night to howl at the moon! Kids can even go hunting for the elusive Barton Springs Salamanders, an endangered species located only in Austin, or just take in the many species of natural wildlife found in the area including ducks and crawfish. Click here to review all the details and info about entry fees and to make your reservation.
_________
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. Click 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 7 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 to avoid peek crowds. You’ll find plenty of families choose to bring picnics and food for grilling with plans to spend the whole day in the shade of the big trees. Note that 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.
_________
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. You can swim, wade, tube or fish on the river, but note that 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 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is $6 per day per adult; children 12 & under are free. Book your reservation. Read all about our visit to Pedernales Falls.
_________
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 on any day the weather is warm enough for a dip.We highly 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.
_________
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 very 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 simply sit back and relax under a huge cypress tree to enjoy the scenery. Day passes are $5 per adult, and children ages 12 & under are free, but you’ll need to make a reservation. Click here to read about our visit to Blanco State Park.
*Cover photo is also from Blanco State park.
_________
