Welcome to the captivating world of Texas’ top swimming holes, where sunny days and immaculate water combine to create a refuge for water sports aficionados. Texas provides a wide variety of aquatic beauties that will satiate every swimmer’s needs, from the expansive Gulf Coast beaches to the serene lakes and intriguing natural springs. Texas offers it all, guaranteeing unforgettable experiences that will leave you craving more. Whether you’re looking for an intense ocean adventure, a peaceful hideaway in the middle of nature, or a refreshing swim in a picturesque lake, Texas has it all.
Join us as we explore some of Texas’ top swimming holes. They can be a great way to beat the heat during Texas’ hot summers as well as have great outdoor recreation experience.
Barton Spring Pool in Austin Texas
Address: 2131 William Barton Dr. Austin, TX 78746, USA
Barton Springs Pool, located in the center of Austin, is a must-see throughout the summer. A diving board, a zero-entry rock-bottomed area for children, and lap swimming are all included in the three-acre pool. Zilker Metropolitan Park contains Barton Springs Pool.
It is situated at 2201 Barton Springs Road. Starting at 5 a.m. all year long. to 10 p.m. between Monday and Wednesday and from Friday to Sunday. starting at 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. is an unsupervised swim that is only for lap swimmers. As of 9 a.m. on Thursday, the pool is closed for cleaning. to 7 p.m. however accessible for lap swimming.
From late April through October 31 there is an admission fee. The cost of admission is $9 for adults, $5 for juniors (12 to 17) and seniors (62+), $4 for children (1 to 12), and free for infants.
Deep Eddy Pool in Austin Texas
Address: 401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703, USA
At Deep Eddy Pool, which is located alongside the Colorado River, swimmers have congregated for almost a century. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as the oldest pool in Texas.
Every other day, fresh water is poured into the pool from the spring, which has a temperature range of 65F to 75F. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) worked on the bathhouse during the Great Depression.
Open all year long and situated at 401 Deep Eddy Drive. opens at 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. for swimming for fun with lifeguards. Adult entry is $9, junior admission ($12–17) is $5, senior admission ($62+) is $4, and infant admission ($0) are all available.
McKinney Falls State Park in Austin
Address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744, USA
In a natural environment, minutes from Austin’s main airport, the 641-acre McKinney Falls State Park offers camping, hiking, mountain biking, and swimming. The 1.7 miles of Onion Creek that run through the park provide options for swimming and fishing.
Try hiking or mountain biking, spotting wildlife, or birdwatching in addition to participating in water sports. 80 campsites, including RV and hike-in sites, screened shelters, group shelters, and a group dining hall, are available for a weekend getaway.
located at 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, ten miles southeast of the heart of Austin. The cost of day use for adults (12+) is $6. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Summertime reservations should be made online.
Blue Hole Park in Georgetown
Address: 100 Blue Hole Park Rd, Georgetoen, TX 78626, USA
Blue Hole, on the south branch of the San Gabriel River, is close to Georgetown and is surrounded by limestone bluffs. Look for a little dam that has water flowing over it.
Located off Austin Avenue near 100 Blue Hole Park. Open from sunrise till night; admission is free.
Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley
Address: 100 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676, USA
One of the best swimming holes may be found in Wimberley, a charming artist’s community. A century-old Cypress tree, a few rope swings in the trapeze style, and swimming piers covered in limestone can all be found along Cypress Creek.
The area was protected for future generations when it was purchased by the city of Wimberley back in 2005. 126 acres of parkland with picnic tables, a sizable grassy area, and restrooms with changing areas may be found.
100 Blue Hole Lane is the address. Starting at 8 a.m. During the swimming season, to dusk. Open every day from Memorial Day through Labor Day and just on the weekends between May and September. Entry is $12 for adults (13 to 59), $6 for children (4 to 12), $6 for seniors (60+), and free for children under 3 years old.
Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs
Address: 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, USA
Local lore claims that Hamilton Pool was found in the 1880s by an 8-year-old boy from a German immigrant family on their farm. The Reimer family soon welcomed everyone who would travel to their haven.
The limestone outcropping at Hamilton Pool has a 50-foot waterfall that cascades into a box canyon. It’s about 3/4 mile from the Pedernales River and situated on Hamilton Creek. The waterfall fluctuates seasonally even though it never entirely disappears.
The.25-mile journey to Hamilton Pool requires descending a steep slope with stairs, making it unsafe for people with mobility or health concerns. There are no restrooms with changing areas; only composting pits. There are no tables or concessions at the swimming area. There are hiking paths throughout the park area.
Hamilton Pool requires reservations months in advance due to its popularity. Sessions begin at 9 a.m. on the Travis County website in the morning or afternoon. to 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Located in Dripping Springs at 24300 Hamilton Road. Throughout the year, but daily reservations are needed from March to October. Children under 12 enter free of charge, while adult entrance is $8 (cash only). This is in addition to the $12 credit card-only online reservation cost.
Schlitterbahn Water Park in New Braunfels
Address: 400 N Liberty Ave, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
Water from the Comal River is used in several funnels and pools on the Schlitterbahn Original Section in New Braunfels. The best place to introduce new generations to playing in water that is naturally occurring.
It is two parks connected by a shuttle bus in the middle of New Braunfels, one of which is shaded by trees. German influences may be seen all across Schlitterbahn, a town of German origins in Central Texas.
400 N. is the address. New Braunfels, Liberty Avenue. Only on the weekends between the middle of May and the middle of September is Schlitterbahn open. Open every day all summer long with varying hours. The cost of admission varies, and snack-filled coolers are permitted. If you want to know more about the popular tourist spots in New Braunfels besides the Schlitterbahn Water Park, head over to our article, The Beautiful Hill Country Town of New Braunfels.
Tube Chute in New Braunfels
Address: 499 E Mill St, New Braunfels, TX 78130, USA
An authentic thrill ride may be found at the City Tube Chute in New Braunfels. Tubers ride through a dam bypass on the Comal River in the world’s longest chute of its kind before continuing to float through Prince Solms Park.
The river chute is accessible year-round at 100 Liebscher Drive, but the facilities are only accessible from May 1 through Labor Day. From May 1 through June 1 and from mid-August through Labor Day, only on weekends. From June 1 until mid-August, every day at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Renting a life jacket or renting tubes costs an additional $7 per person. From May 1 through Labor Day, parking in Prince Solms Park costs $20 per day.
Garner State Park in Concan Texas
Address: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA
The most visited state park in Texas is Garner State Park, which is located on the western tip of the Texas Hill Country. It was established in 1941 and is named for Cactus Jack Garner, who served as vice president from 1933 to 1941.
The crystal-clear Frio River is Garner’s crowning achievement. Rent a paddleboat, a SUP board, or a tube in the park to explore the river that is surrounded with cypress trees. Make a weekend out of it by booking a cottage or camping.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) constructed rock structures and cabins in Garner during the Great Depression.
10 miles north of Concan, Texas, at 234 RR 1050. Children under the age of 12 can enter for free. Adult admission is $8.
Balmorhea State Park in West Texas
Address: 9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, TX 79786, USA
The largest spring-fed pool in the world is located at Balmorhea State Park in West Texas. Make it a pit stop on your travel down Interstate 10 with its roughly two acres of water that ranges in temperature from 72 to 76 degrees.
The pool can store 3.5 million gallons of water, and the San Solomon Springs generate 15 million gallons of water every day. The pool provides entertainment, but pack all other necessities like snacks, towels, and sunscreen because there aren’t many stores around.
Seven miles south of Interstate 10 at 9207 TX-17. Starting at 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. everyday usage only. Children under 12 enter free, while adult admission is $7. During the summer, making reservations online is advised.
Krause Springs in Spicewood
Address: 424 Co Rd 404, Spucewood, TX 78669, Unites States
The Krause Family has owned the 115-acre estate for more than 50 years. There is enough water on the site from 32 springs to fill both a man-made pool and a natural swimming hole. The spring water eventually becomes Lake Travis and is 68°F all year long.
located close to Spicewood, Texas, at 424 County Road 404. Mid-February to October 31: open. Children (4 to 11) pay $6, adults (12+) pay $10, and children (3 and under) pay free. Open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s camping available.
W.A. Pace Park in Salado
Address: 100 Art Fair Rd, Salado, TX 76571, USA
Salado provides a stopover along Interstate 35 north of Georgetown. In W, you may find Salado Springs. A. Pace Park, where children and dogs can swim around in the shallow water.
W.A. Pace Park, which can be found at 100 Art Fair Road, is accessible for free and is open from sunrise to nightfall.
Blanco State Park
Address: 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606, USA
You can locate a swimming hole that was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression along the Blanco River’s beaches, north of San Antonio. The Blanco State Park, which has a one-mile section of the river, has day-use picnic tables, camping, a playground, and a gathering pavilion. A large portion of it was constructed as part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA). A program created by President Roosevelt to provide employment for Americans; the CCC was a component of the WPA.
Accessed from the U.S. at 1010 Park Road 23. Blanco’s Route 281 is. Open from dawn until dark all year round. Adults must pay $5 to enter, while children under the age of 12 are free. During the summer, making reservations online is advised.
Jacobs Well in Wimberley
Address: 1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676, USA
The entrance to Texas’ largest network of underwater caves is located near Jacobs Wells.
Even though the hole is only 12 feet across, nature has skillfully designed it to have a splash point that is deep enough (35 feet) for those who dare to jump off the rocks above.
The water is crystal clear, making your intended landing zone clearly visible.
If you choose to observe this daredevil behavior, the shallows and the nearby trees’ shade will keep you cool.
The cave does draw divers who enjoy exploring it past the entrance, but only seasoned divers with the proper equipment and training should even think about what lies beyond.
Please make sure to reserve in advance to ensure you can visit Jacobs Well due to its size and popularity.
Devil’s Waterhole in West of Burnet
Address: 3630 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX 78611, USA
Any natural swimming area can be severely restricted by droughts, but Devils Waterhole never seems to be impacted.
The waterhole itself is a part of Inks Lake State Park’s lake and waterways.
The lake itself is home to water skiers, fishermen, scuba divers, paddle boaters, canoeists, and kayakers, but it also offers a no wake zone for calm swimming.
Upstream, near Devils Waterhole, are pools, a fall, and a lot of boulders that serve as launching pads for the water below.
With a wide variety of nearby camping alternatives, this popular destination has a lot to recommend it for a family vacation.
Lake Tejas in Colmesneil
Address: 152 Lake Tejas Lp, Colmesneil, TX 75938, USA
This east Texas sanctuary, surrounded by pine trees and equipped with diving boards, boardwalks, and a water chute, has been assisting Texans in coping with extreme heat for many years.
80 yards of sandy shoreline and a buoyed swimming area provide protection, giving the impression that you are near the ocean.
Whatever your degree of comfort in the water, there is something for you. Paddle boats, floats, kiddie slides, and a designated swimming area ensure this.
In order to make your visit safe and pleasurable, lifeguards are on duty.
Hippie Hollow in Austin
Address: 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732, USA
Not mentioning this park, which is located beside Lake Travis, would be remiss.
While many people will want to skip this entry, some may want to give it a shot.
Why? because it’s the only location in Texas where it’s okay to be naked.
Although the lake views are fantastic, the shoreline designated for getting a full-body tan is extremely rough. Be mindful that passing boats may be staring at the beach’s display.
Burger Lake in Fort Worth
Address: 1200 Meandering Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114, USA
Burgers Lake is a family-oriented one-acre lake that is jam-packed with entertainment to exhaust even the most exuberant members of your crew. It has the atmosphere of an old-fashioned summer camp.
There are fountains, six diving boards, a swing from which you can jump into the water, water slides, and water chutes.
Large trees and two sandy beaches provide both sunny and shade areas.
300 picnic tables and charcoal grills are available in the park for you to use while you prepare a feast for your hungry charges.
Conclusion
Texas definitely has something to offer everyone looking for a refreshing aquatic retreat, from the alluring beaches of the Gulf Coast to the serene springs of the Hill Country and the picturesque lakes and reservoirs dotted across the state. So don your swimwear, enjoy the natural beauty, and make lifelong memories at Texas’ top swimming holes.
