Barton Springs Pool / Photo by Will van Overbeek.
Let's Go Swimming
Your guide to Texas’ best spots to cool off, hang out, and take a dip this summer
by Amelia Nonemacher, Ariel Castillo, James Hernandez, and Natalia Gonzalez Blanco Serrano
Balmorhea State Park
Toyahvale
Hours:
Spring-fed pool hours are 8 am- 7:30 pm
Ticket info:
- $7 per person (13 yrs +)
- Divers must pay $5 per person as an activity fee
Additional info:
- There are no lifeguards on site, so be cautious when swimming.
- Pool floats are allowed but no larger than 8 ft. long and 4 ft. wide.
- The spring fed pool and day-use area is open, but the rest of the park is temporarily closed for renovations and a date for the reopening has not been set.
- Reservations are recommended for day passes, as numbers of visitors have been high this summer.
Barton Springs Pool
Austin
Hours:
- 5 a.m.-8 a.m. swim at your own risk (Monday-Sunday)
- 8 a.m.-10 p.m. guarded swim (Monday-Sunday)
- 9 a.m.-7 p.m. closed (Thursday)
Ticket info:
- Children under 1: free
- Veterans honorably discharged: free
- Children (1-11), resident: $2, non-resident: $4
- Junior (12-17), resident: $3, non-resident: $5
- Adult (18-62), resident: $5, non-resident: $9
- Senior (62+), resident: $2, non-resident: $5
Additional info:
- 68-70 degrees average temperature
- Three acres in size
- Pets, coolers, food, sports balls are prohibited. Drinks are permitted, but must be in resealable containers with a twist-off lid.
Blanco State Park
Blanco
Hours:
6 a.m.-10 p.m.
Ticket info:
- Adult (13+ years): $5
- Children (12 years and under): free
Additional info:
- Pets are allowed, only on leash
- Rent tubes at the park store from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; return tubes by 4 p.m.
- Bring your canoe, kayak or boat (electric motors only). Or rent a single or double kayak or tube at the park store to use in the park (available seasonally; $20 credit card deposit required). Rental hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; return kayaks by 4 p.m.
- 68 degrees
- As of June 20, there is a burn ban in place until further notice.
Blanco State Park. Photo by Michael Murphy.
Blue Hole on Cypress Creek, Wimberley. Photo by Will van Overbeek.
Blue Hole Regional Park
Wimberley
Hours:
8 a.m.-sunset. Swimming is temporarily suspended from August 1-15 due to bacteria and poor visibility, and may be extended further.
Ticket info:
- Adults (14-59): $12
- Youth (3-13), Senior (60+), Military, Wimberley residents (78676 zip code): $6
- Children under 3: free
Additional info:
- Reservations required
- Wimberley nights (residents only with ID) on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
- Pets allowed on leash on trails, but not allowed in the swimming area
- Ice chests with picnic lunches, camp chairs, 12×12′ or smaller pop-up shade tents, floats, and inner tubes are permitted in Blue Hole.
- Kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, or extra-large inflatables are not allowed
Boykin Springs
Zavalla
Hours:
All day
Ticket info:
- Day use: free
- Camping: $10
- Shelter rental: $25
Additional info:
- Drinking water is available throughout the campground but there are no sites with water hookups
- Non-motorized boats are allowed
The Frio River in Garner State Park. Photo by Will van Overbeek.
Devil’s Waterhole/Inks Lake State Park
Burnet
Hours:
8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Ticket info:
- Adults (13+): $7
- Children (<12): free
Additional info:
- No lifeguards on duty
- Rent paddle boats, canoes, one- to two-person kayaks, life vests and paddles at the park store
- As of May 5, there is a burn ban in place until further notice.
Fort Clark Springs
Brackettville
Hours:
Currently closed due to drought. No estimated date of opening, possibility of opening if it rains.
Ticket info:
- Free
Additional info:
- Lake Nueces dam is 3.6 miles south, pay $4 to spend a day in Wes Cooksey Park
Garner State Park
Concan
Hours:
8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Ticket info:
- Adults (13+): $8
- Children (<12): free
Additional info:
- Equipment rentals available
- 68 degrees
- As of June 17, there is a burn ban in place until further notice, as well as a water conservation urge.
Hancock Springs and Park in Lampasas. Photo by Will van Overbeek
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Travis County
Hours:
Morning (9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and afternoon (2-5:30 p.m.) time slots
Ticket info:
- Adult (13-61): $8
- Senior (62+): $3
- Child (≤12): free
- $12 per car (max. 8/car)
Additional info:
- Reservations required
- Swimming not guaranteed by reservation, depends on bacteria levels
- No pets, no exceptions
- Water and concessions not available
- Cash-only premises
- No lifeguards
- The section of trail that goes underneath the overhanging cliff at the pool is closed for safety concerns. Visitors can access the beach, but not walk all the way around to below the waterfall due to falling rocks.
Hancock Springs Free Flow Pool
Lampasas
Hours:
6 a.m.-10 p.m., Thursday-Sunday
Ticket info:
- Adult: $3.50
- Senior/Child: $2.50
Additional info:
- Leash laws enforced
- No alcoholic beverages without a permit
- All areas first come first serve
Krause Springs near Spicewood. Photo by Michael Murphy
Jacob’s Well
Hays County
Hours:
As of June 29, all swimming is suspended until further notice.
Ticket info:
- Online reservation only
- Reservation gets you 2 hours of swimming, max 60 people
- No American Express, no refunds, no rain checks
- Adults: $9
- Hays county resident, 5-12yo, 60+ senior, veteran: $5
- 4 and under: free
Additional info:
- Swimming temporarily suspended as of June 29. Visit the Hays County website for the most current information.
- Fees only apply for swimming, not hiking or hanging out
- Recommended hiking hours are 8-10 a.m. due to heat and crowds
- No lifeguard
- Constant 68 degrees
Krause Springs
Spicewood
Hours:
9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Ticket info:
- Adult (12+years): $9
- Child (4-11): $5
- Children under 4: free
Additional info:
- 68 degrees
- Camping available: reservations for RV hookups only, tents first come first serve
- No pets allowed
Lake Tejas
Colmesneil
Hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Sunday: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.
Ticket info:
- Swim pass: $8
- Group over four people: $7/each
Additional info:
- Inflatable obstacles available with a life jacket, limited stock of jackets available for rent
- Bring floats or rent a tube
- Covered picnic tables available for $8
Rio Vista Park, San Marcos River. Photo by Will van Overbeek
The Slab
Kingsland
Hours:
Public access
Ticket info:
- Free
Additional info:
- Very little shade, no bathrooms
- Busy on weekends, but plenty of space to spread out
Rio Vista Park
San Marcos
Hours:
6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
Ticket info:
- No reservations required
- Free admission, free parking
Additional info:
- Visitors may bring their own tubes, kayaks, canoes and paddle boards or rent one from a vendor
Zedler Mill
Luling
Hours:
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday
- Closed Saturday & Sunday
Ticket info:
- Free admission and parking
Additional info:
- Temporary construction at Zedler Mill; all amenities might not be currently available such as canoe/kayak rentals or shuttle services
- Rentals and shuttles are available
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