Put on your bathing suit, get your towel, grab some sunscreen, then grab some more sunscreen before heading out to these gorgeous and refreshing natural swimming spots for the ultimate Texas summer experience.
1. Jacob’s Well
One of Texas’s most beloved natural swimming holes, Jacob’s Well, is a picturesque artesian spring courtesy of the Trinity Aquifer. Home to over 81 acres of wonderful natural landscape, the area makes for a swell trekking experience. Its prominent allure is undoubtedly its submerged cave that plunges 30 feet below the surface. Hiking the area is free year-round, now, visitors can take a dip in the well’s cool springs with reservation for a small fee.
2. Blue Hole
Wimberley abounds with myriads of majestic swimming spots, 4.5 miles of trails, and 126 acres of lush natural beauty. The Blue Hole swimming spot is a true Texas gem; fed by San Gabriel River springs, the open year-round swimming hole is framed by a rich landscape and equipped with numerous rope swings to make the plunge.
3. Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool was formed thousands of years ago after the collapse of an underground river, resulting in a sunken cave underneath a cascading waterfall. Unfortunately swimming is still off limits, although visitors can still access the surrounding trails and beach of the breathtaking oasis. Please note that reservations are required before entry, so be sure to books yours before trekking off to this wonderful Texas gem!
4. Barton Springs
Now open, Barton Springs is a three-acre swimming hole tucked inside Austin’s Zilker Park. Barton is fed by an underground spring, refreshing swimmers with a year-round temperature of 68-70 degrees. While reopened, the swimming areas spring schedule is subject to change, be sure to consult the City of Austin‘s website for updated hours. Currently, Barton Springs is open daily from 5 am to 10 pm.
5. Devil’s Waterhole
Don’t let the name fool you, this West of Burnet watering hole is something heavenly. Tucked inside Inks Lake State Park, the lake is an idyllic setting to kayak, boat, water ski, fish, and/or swim. When the creeks are running, visitors can see the waterfalls upstream. The lake is open year round with camping and cabin options.
6. McKinney Falls
Located just 15 minutes outside of Austin where Onion Creek and Williamson Creek meet, McKinney Falls is filled with a tumbling bunch of limestone falls amid hiking trails, cypress trees, and gorgeous scenery. Before visiting, be sure to book a reservation beforehand.
7. Krause Springs
With both a man-made swimming pool and a natural spring-fed swimming hole, Krause Springs in Texas Hill Country features year-long access to its 30+ emerald springs on the property. Located 30 miles west of Austin in Spicewood, Texas, the popular camping site and swimming hole also features a cascading waterfall and a butterfly gardens.
8. Pedernales Falls State Park
The Texas Hill Country park is gorgeous territory where visitors can hike, camp, swim, raft, float, fish, and more, with a view. While the river is susceptible to a little turbulence, it’s most times easy breezy. Pedernales Falls is also proximate to Hamilton Pool, if you should desire to make a road trip out of it!
9. Deep Eddy Pool
The Deep Eddy Pool is a shaded, man-made aquatic center and bathhouse that happens to be the oldest swimming pool in the city. With pristine landscaping and cerulean waters, the pool offers an idyllic setting to cool off on a sunny summer day. The pool is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm.
10. Hippie Hollow
The famous and (partially) secluded cove outside Austin is a truly one-of-a-kind swimming experience in Texas. As many of you are already aware, why it’s so unique has to do with the fact that it’s the only clothing-optional public spaces in the state. If you’re shy, you can wade down to Pace Bend Park, where there’s more clothing as well as coves and miles of accessible shoreline.