It's HOT out.
It's time to find some water. Thankfully, our city (and the surrounding area) 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 favorite swimming holes to beat the heat.
Pro tip: Before heading out to take a dip in any swimming holes around Austin, check to make sure their water levels are high enough for swimming!
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Photo credit: Roger Ho
2201 Barton Springs Rd
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. (As a bonus, check out "Free Barton" or "Barking Springs" on the other side of the spillway for an always-free day filled with dogs and chronically chill hangs.)
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Photo via Facebook
404 Krause Springs Rd
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 you to get your 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 $10 (12+), children 4-11 years old $6, free for children under 4. Additional cost for overnight camping. Click here to read a big list of FAQs before you go.
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Photo Credit: MCKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
McKinney Falls State Park is in Austin, located 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, wide open spaces, and water that you can wade or jump in. Make reservations online for a day pass or camping by calling (512) 389-8900.
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Photo Credit: Jamie Jett
Various Locations
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 Campbells 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.
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Photo via Blue Hole
100 Blue Hole Park
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.
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Photo via Do512 Family
2805 Pace Bend Road
Pace Bend Park about an hour from Austin proper, contains all of the amenities one desires on a beach trip. The park has a boat ramp, deep coves for fishing, geocaching spots, hiking and biking trails, a rope swing, and plenty of swimming space. A popular spot for camping, it’s ideal for bonfires and for stargazing. The cliff jumping at Pace Bend Park is on another level of fun and adventure (but please be careful!), and the views from the sprawling park amre spectacular.
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Photo via Yelp
23610 Hamilton Pool Rd
Reimers Ranch Park is located approximately 13 miles north of Dripping Springs and features a riverside beach, a great spot for fishing, hiking or rock climbing. Operated by Travis County Parks, Reimers is not currently taking reservations but can close due to overcrowding on weekends. Park entrance fees are $5 per person ages 13 & up and free for children ages 12 & under.
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Photo via Pedernales Falls Facebook
2585 Park Rd 6026
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. Admission is $6 per day per adult; children 12 & under are free. Book your reservation.
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Photo via Do512 Family
Park 1600 City Park Rd
Located in West Austin, there’s a five-dollar entry fee per person to enter Emma Long Park. However, the price of admission is worth it. In addition to volleyball courts, basketball courts, and a huge array of picnic tables, Emma Long Park is unique in that it also offers several designated swimming areas alongside primitive camping while still inside Austin city limits.
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Photo via City of Wimberley
Blue Hole Rd
Hidden in the center of Wimberley, 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 Blue Hole Pool, which is surrounded by beautiful cypress trees, many equipped with rope swings.
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Photo via City of New Braunfels
Seguin Ave
One of the best ways to enjoy the hot days of summer is floating lazily down the Comal River. Located in New Braunfels, you can choose trips of either 2, 4, or 6 hours and float down the river at your own speed. Tubes are available at various venues like Texas Tubes. You can't bring cans, but you can bring all the mini kegs you like. Remember to pack your trash out, or else...
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Photo Credit: @taylorjw_85
7000 Comanche Trail
It doesn't get much weirder than Hippie Hollow. The fact that it's the only clothing-optional public park in the entire state of Texas actually makes it legally weird. So yes, if you come to Hippie Hollow, you're going to see people in their birthday suits. Don't be shy. A landmark Austin hangout since the 1960s, Hippie Hollow has weathered the storms of change and remained an idyllic microcosm of the Free Love Generation. Hippie Hollow is open every day from 9 AM - 8:30 PM and costs $8 a person.
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Know of more open swimming holes in Austin?
