When the summer months come to Texas, Austenite’s love to run to their favorite swimming holes near Austin to cool off. The city of Austin is not just a music and foodie haven; it’s also a paradise for nature enthusiasts. While seeking relief from the scorching Texas heat, head to these numerous and refreshing swimming holes scattered around the city.

The Different Types of Swimming Holes Near Austin

It’s a true summer ritual to enjoy one of the many Texas swimming holes near Austin, but what technically qualifies as a swimming hole? Online, the definition of a swimming hole is “a place in a river, stream, creek, spring, or similar natural body of water, which is large enough and deep enough for a person to swim in.”

Map of Swimming Holes Near Austin

Barton Springs Pool

Barton Springs Pool Address	Phone Number
2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX	(512) 974-6300

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Wednesday, Friday to Sunday: 5 AM-10 PM Thursday: 5 AM-9 AM	Child (1-11): $4, Resident: $2 Junior (12-17): $5, Resident: $3 Adult (18-62): $9, Resident: $5 Senior (62 and older): $5, Resident $2 Veteran: Free Free From Nov. 1st to Spring Break	No

One of the most popular swimming holes near Austin is situated within Zilker Park. Barton Springs Pool is a three acre, natural spring-fed pool that maintains a refreshing 68° temperature year-round. This iconic swimming hole is a local favorite, offering a picturesque setting facing the downtown skyline.

The deepest part of the pool reaches 18 feet. Lifeguards are available each day, except on Thursdays, from 8 AM to 6 PM. Bring large towels to warm up from the cold water on the hill next to the pool.

Insider Tip: The pool offers free admission from 5 AM to 8 AM and 9 PM to 10 PM.

Dog Barton Springs aka Barking Springs

Barking Springs Address	Phone Number
2105 Andrew Zilker Rd, Austin, 78746	N/A

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Open 24/7	City Parking Fees Start from March 1st to Labor Day Saturday, Sunday, Holidays, Special Events: $5-$7 per Day	Yes

Many Texans love to visit the swimming holes in Austin for it’s clean refreshing waters, however they’re not all dog friendly. Just on the other side of the wall of Barton Springs Pool is when Barton Creek begins and is locally known as Barking Springs. A swimming hole for people and pets.

Austenite’s love to cool off in this part of Barton Creek for the free admission, the ability to bring your dogs and the lesser number of rules you’ll find at Barton Springs. The cold and clear water from Barton Springs spills out into Barton Creek leading to Lady Bird Lake. Bring a hammock to tie between 2 trees and enjoy people watching next to water or rent a kayak to explore the river that leading to Lady Bird Lake. You’ll soon find why this is a local favorite.

Insider Tip: If you’re worried about water quality for your pet, set up as close as you can to the wall separating Barton Creek to Barton Springs to get the highest quality of water.

Sculpture Falls: Barton Creek Greenbelt

Sculpture Falls Parking Lot Address	Phone Number
Barton Creek Greenbelt Trailhead, Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail, Austin, TX 78746	N/A

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
24/7	Free	Yes

Insider Tip: Other swimming holes near Austin in this area have dried up from recent droughts, such as Twin Falls. Research how severe current drought conditions are before expecting to swim.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park: Lake Austin

Emma Long Metropolitan Park Address	Phone Number
1600 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730	(512) 974-1831

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 7 AM to 10 PM	Monday to Thursday: $5 per day/vehicle Friday to Sunday & Holidays: $10 per day/ vehicle	Yes, but not on beach

One of the best places swim near the city is Emma Long Metropolitan Park at Lake Austin. Emma Long is the perfect location for a all day family event. There are several picnic tables to set up food, while nearby accessing the water from the beach.

There’s a short dock to sit on and dangle your feet in the water, as you watch others enjoy swimming in the designated area. There is no lifeguard on duty, so you must swim at your own risk. If you bring the dogs, take them for a walk on the off-leash Turkey Creek Trail.

You must make a reservation before visiting the park. If you’re looking to extend your stay, Emma Long is also the only city park where camping is available. Click here to make reservations to bring your RV or tent to set up close to the water for the perfect mini vacation.

Insider Tip: If you have a dirt bike or motorcycle, Emma Long has a designated motorcycle and mountain bike trail you can ride on.

Deep Eddy Municipal Pool

Deep Eddy Municipal Pool Address	Phone Number
401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703	(512) 472-8546

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 8 PM	Child (1-11): $4, Resident: $2 Junior (12-17): $5, Resident: $3 Adult (18-62): $9, Resident: $5 Senior (62 and older): $5, Resident $2 Veteran: Free Free From Nov. 1st to Spring Break	No

Picnic tables, outdoor showers and changing areas are available for use. Lifeguards are on duty to maintain safe swimming. The max depth is 8 feet.

Insider Tip: Many visitors may compare Deep Eddy Pool to Barton Springs Pool. The biggest difference in experiencing the 2 pools was Barton Springs is much larger. However, there is lack of algae built up at Deep Eddy, so it is less slippery and easier to get in and out of.

Bob Wentz Park: Lake Travis

Bob Wentz Park Address	Phone Number
7144 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732	(512) 854-7275

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 6 PM	Child (12 and younger): Free Adult: $5 Senior (62 and older): $3	Yes

Being part of Lake Travis, Bob Wentz Park is one of the larger swimming holes near Austin. Lake Travis was formed after damming up parts of the Colorado River to create a larger body of water in the Texas Hill Country. Whether you consider a lake a swimming hole or not, it’s the perfect place to spend a summer day.

The park offers plenty of parking, picnic tables with umbrellas, grills, hill country views, hiking trails, boat ramp with a dock, showers and toilets. There is also plenty of space to spread out to truly enjoy the lake. Although there is a designated swimming area, there are no lifeguards to observe.

Insider Tip: The beach near the water is easy to access but very rocky. While setting up an area near the water, bringing chairs would be more comfortable than sitting on a towel. Also, water levels can drastically change due to drought conditions.

Link Falls: Bull Creek District

Bull Creek Parking Lot Address	Phone Number
Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail, Austin, TX 78750	N/A

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
24/7	Free	Yes

One of the smaller swimming holes near Austin, but just as special, is Link Falls off of the Bull Creek District hiking trails. Link Falls is one of the few free and easy to get to waterfalls near Austin, and at it’s base is a small swimming hole to enjoy.

The water levels at this swimming area does get majorly effected by droughts. It is best to visit in the spring or early summer months. Exploring on top of the waterfall is very slippery, so it is best to enjoy it at it’s base.

Insider Tip: If the swimming hole is crowded, follow the trail alongside the creek and there will be nice areas to sit in the shallow waters. There are also very unique rock formations to see while on the trail.

St. Edwards Park

St. Edwards Park Parking Lot Address	Phone Number
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759	N/A

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
24/7	Free	Yes

Insider Tip: It is easy to mix up some of the trail, as they are not well marked. There are several ways to access the trail. Use the Alltrails app to download the trail.

McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park Address	Phone Number
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744	(512) 243-1643

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 10 PM	Adult: $6 Child (12 and younger): Free	Yes

McKinney Falls State Park is the perfect place to visit for a refreshing dip, because it actually has 2 swimming holes near Austin. This state park offers a combination of natural beauty and recreational activities. The Upper Falls and Lower Falls provide excellent swimming spots, and the park features hiking trails for those looking to explore on foot.

Upper Falls is quicker to access, as it’s close to the parking lot. Visitors love to swim in this large swimming hole part of Onion Creek with cypress trees bordering the shores. To access the Lower Falls, it is a .5-mile trail, and has a natural bridge across the waterfall that is easy to cross.

Insider Tip: Wear sturdy water shoes for exploring the rocky terrain.

Krause Springs

Krause Springs Address	Phone Number
424 Co Rd 404, Spicewood, TX 78669	(401) 236-7554

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 8 PM Closed between November to February	Adult: $10 Child (4-11): $6	No

Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve Address	Phone Number
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620	(512) 264-2740

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 12:30 PM & 2 PM to 5:30 PM	Vehicle Reservation Fee (max 8 people): $12 Adult Cash Only Entry Fee: $8 Child and Senior Cash Only Entry Fee: $3	No

One of the most breathtaking, and hardest to access swimming holes near Austin, is the popular Hamilton Pool Preserve. Swimming in this hidden paradise is like no other experience in Texas. With its cool waters, overhanging limestone cliff, it’s certainly one of most dramatic swimming holes, especially in Texas.

After hiking down a .25 mile steep trail, you’ll arrive to the easily accessible beach. With the jade-colored water underneath the vast open-faced cave, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a true Texas treasure. Also when water levels are just right, you’ll even see a 50 foot waterfall. Water drops from the top of the cliff, filling the pool for an amazing sight.

Although swimming in Hamilton Pool Preserve is an amazing time, it can be difficult to experience for a couple of reasons. First, reservations fill up very quickly. The preserve now has a strict policy on how many can enter the park, so reservations especially in the summer must be made possibly a month in advance. Second, swimming is not always allowed at the preserve. Due to high bacteria levels, the park can restrict swimming at any time. So even though reservations, were made, it doesn’t guarantee swimming.

Insider Tip: Before making reservations, visit their website to get updates on swimming restrictions.

Hippie Hollow: Lake Travis

Hippie Hollow Address	Phone Number
7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, TX 78732	(512) 854-7275

Hours of Operation	Admission	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM	ADULT ONLY: $8 Senior (62 and older): $3	No

For those seeking an experience that brings you REALLY close to nature, Hippie Hollow is seriously like no other swimming hole in Austin Texas. Hippie Hollow is Texas’ only clothing-optional public park. Perched on the shores of Lake Travis, it provides a unique and liberating swimming experience.

Hippie Hollow is an adult only swimming area on Lake Travis. The beach leading to the water is very rocky, and there is no shade. Many visitors set up an open tent to escape the full exposure of the Texas sun.

Insider Tip: Respect the park rules, and bring sunscreen, as shade is limited.

Blue Hole Park

Georgetown, Blue Hole Park Address	Phone Number
100 Blue Hole Park Rd, Georgetown, TX 78626	(512) 930-3595

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 5AM to 10 PM	Free	Yes

Blue Hole Park, located in Georgetown, is a 30-minute drive north from downtown to this swimming hole near Austin. This beautiful swimming hole is part of the San Gabriel River and is very easy to access. It’s also a short walk from the downtown square of Georgetown, Texas.

In the summer, visitors set up tents along the shore to enjoy the sounds of running water over the concrete wall forming a manmade waterfall. Parking is available, but during the summer months, the designated parking area can become full fast.

Relax and swim in the deep pool behind the dam or sit on the rocks in the shallow area as the water flows past you.

Insider Tip: The water levels can impact swimming, so the best time to visit is late spring, early summer, or especially after heavy rainfall.

Swimming Holes Near Austin: 1 Hour or More

If you’re looking to explore a little further from the city, here are some great recommendations to visit and cool off in the summer.

Blue Hole Regional Park

Blue Hole Regional Park Address	Phone Number
333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676	(512) 660-9111

Hours of Operation	Admission	Pet Friendly
Open May to Labor Day, Monday to Sunday September: Weekend Only 8 AM to Sunset	Adults: $12 Children (4-12): $6 Seniors & Military: $6	Yes

About an hour southwest of downtown, lies the Wimberley Blue Hole, a gem of a swimming hole near Austin. Nestled along Cypress Creek, this natural swimming hole attracts visitors from all over to its crystal-clear waters surrounded by cypress trees.

Come for the beautiful waters that make this one of the most popular swimming holes in all of Texas. Visitors wait their turn to use the rope swing, that’s almost a rite of passage. It’s also the quickest way to adapt to the cold temperatures of 75° year-round from the creek. After a nice swim, head over to the grassy field and warm up under the sun.

With a limited daily capacity to swim, reservations are required in advance. If you would like to visit the area to hike, use the playground or picnic areas it is free and does not require a reservation.

Insider Tip: Reserve an umbrella for shade so that when you’re having a picnic, you can still stay out of the harsh Texas sun.

Jacob’s Well Natural Area

*Update* due to extreme low water levels, swimming at Jacob’s Well is not available for the unforeseeable future.

Jacob’s Well Address	Phone Number
1699 Mt Sharp Rd., Wimberley, TX 78676	512-214-4593

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 6 PM (Closed on major holidays)	Adult: $9/ Resident: $5 Child (5 to 12), Senior, Military: $5	No

Travel southwest of Austin into the town of Wimberley, and you’ll discover Jacob’s Well. This unique swimming hole near Austin is a natural artesian spring that forms a captivating underwater cave system.

Many visit this mesmerizing water hole to view what looks like a well with deep blue and turquoise colors come to cool off in the shallow waters leading to the well, or jump into its abyss from nearby rocks. Free divers love to test their skills and swim down to the depths of up to 30 feet.

There are actually 5 to 6 chambers in the cave system that goes about 140 down before dropping deeper again. Diving is not open to the public.

Insider Tip: Although you do not have to have a reservation to see the well, if you want to swim in it, reservations in advance are required.

Russell Park: Lake Georgetown

Russell Park Address	Phone Number
2101 Co Rd 262, Georgetown, TX 78633	(512) 930-5253

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Sunday to Thursday: 9 AM to 8 PM Friday to Saturday: 9 AM to 10 PM	Per person: $5	Not on designated beach area

One of the many parks at Lake Georgetown, this beautiful and relax swimming spot is one of the many special places to cool off in the Texas summers. Russell Park has one of the cleanest and easiest ways to enter the waters of Lake Georgetown.

Make reservations at one of the parks covered picnic tables to grill out with a stunning view of the water. Access to the Goodwater trail Loop is also available at Russell Park for those wanting to hike. Camping is also available to those who wish to extend their visit to an overnight adventure.

Insider Tip: If you bring your dog with you, drive passed the designated swimming beach and there is a trail that leads to the water. There are picnic tables nearby where you set up and you can take your dogs swimming there.

Overlook Park: Canyon Lake

Canyon Lake Overlook Park Address	Phone Number
601 Corps of Engineers Rd, Canyon Lake, TX 78133	(830) 964-3341

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Monday to Sunday: 8 AM to 7 PM	Free	Yes

For another place to enjoy free swimming south of Austin, head to Overlook Park at Canyon Lake. This swimming area near Austin is on a gorgeous lake with many residential houses nearby you can rent from.

Overlook Park is the perfect place to bring dogs to swim alongside the family. There is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the shoreline. You must follow the trail down to the water, so do not over pack. Getting into the water at some points can be tricky if water levels are down, but entering at Overlook Park is one of the easier locations to reach the water.

Insider Tips: With rocky shores, bring chairs to sit on. There is also no shade, so bring a canopy or tent.

Prince Solms Park: Comal River

Address at Prince Solms Park	Phone Number
100 Liebscher Dr, New Braunfels, TX 78130	(830) 221-4350

Hours of Operation	Admission Costs	Pet Friendly
Sunday to Monday: 6 AM to 12 AM	Parking: $20	Yes

One of the more entertaining swimming holes near Austin is in New Braunfels, south of downtown at Prince Solms Park. It’s very popular because of the famous tube chutes on the Comal River. Many visitors come to float on the Comal River for anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, and flow down the 3 separate tube chutes that shoots you into the river like a waterslide.

If you wish to skip the long float and only swim in the nearby area, visit Prince Solms Park to have a nearby and constant access to the tube chute. The only downside is that the area can become very congested with tubers, especially on the weekends. Avoid the crowds on the weekends and late afternoons.

Insider Tip: Bring your own tube to save money along with a small paddle to navigate the river. Having a paddle will help create some space between the crowds.

Blanco State Park

Blanco State Park Address	Phone Number
101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606	830-833-4333

Hours of Operation	Admission Cost	Pet Friendly
Sunday to Monday: 6 AM to 10 PM	Adult: $5 Child (12 and younger): Free	Yes

Another Texas State Park that is an amazing place to the beat the heat is the swimming hole near Austin at Blanco State Park. This spring fed park is very popular in the summer. There is room to spread out and swim in the river, but with the heavy demand to swim, reservations are required.

The falls has 3 different sections to choose to swim in. The falls were created by a dam made by the CCC that transformed the Texas State Park that is still enjoyed today. Kayaking in the deeper parts of the river is also seen at this state park. Visitors also love to explore the 2 easy rated nearby hiking trails before jumping in the refreshing waters.

Insider Tip: Hike to the scenic overlook that leads to the water, and there will be a quieter part of the river that is perfect for swimming or kayaking.

Tips for Visiting Swimming Holes Near Austin

• Check the Weather: Texas weather can be unpredictable. Before heading out, ensure that the swimming hole is open, and the weather conditions are suitable for a dip.

• Sun Protection: Bring sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses. Many swimming holes have limited shade, so it’s essential to protect yourself from the Texas sun. Consider investing in a canopy.

• Water Shoes: Most Texas swimming holes may have rocky or uneven terrain. Water shoes can protect your feet during exploration. Try to find a pair with good traction.

• Keep some Cash: While some places accept cards, it’s always a good idea to carry cash, especially at smaller, remote swimming holes.

• Respect Nature: Leave no trace. Respect the environment, follow park rules, and pack out everything you bring in.

• Reservations: If the swimming hole has the option to make reservations, make them in advance.

• Going Topless: In Texas it is not against the law for women to be topless, especially while swimming. However, some official places may restrict it, so always check the park’s rules.

Safety Concerns

Due to the extreme heat Texas sees, some swimming holes should be avoided during certain times of the year, dogs should especially avoid them. Blue green algae have been known to kill dogs after swimming after drinking the water.

As the owner, be careful and mindful of the water before allowing them to swim or drink from it. Do your research in area. If Blue green algae have been detected, the park or city will report on it.

My biggest rule of thumb is to only let dogs swim where the water is moving. Do not bring them close to water that has appeared to be still for a long period of time.

Perfect Packing List for Swimming Holes Near Austin

With so many swimming holes, Austin offers something for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a pool, a natural spring, or a clothing-optional lakeside escape Austin really has it all. As you plan your next summer adventure, remember to check the specific details for each location, pack accordingly, and most importantly, savor every moment. Happy swimming!