Top Ten Swimming Holes near Austin

It’s summer in central Texas. Temperatures are hitting triple digits and daily lows are in the upper 70s. Time to visit a swimming hole!

(Or, it’s any other season. Chances are, it’s still warm enough for you to swim!)

Deep in the heart of Texas, many swimming holes are accessible throughout the year thanks not only to the relatively temperate climate but also to artesian springs that provide comfortably cool water from vast underground aquifers. Swimming holes are a staple part of local culture and a must for any adventure-loving visitor! Ready to jump in? Read on to learn about the best swimming holes near Austin.

1. Barton Springs Pool

Sometimes called the “soul” of Austin, historic Barton Springs Pool is a 3-acre, spring-fed swimming hole that’s open all year. Located in Zilker Park, it’s a top destination for its ambience as much as for swimming. Flotation devices are allowed in the shallow end of the pool, making it a favored area for families. The other end of the pool reaches depths of 18 feet, has a diving board, and is well loved by open water lap swimmers.

While You’re There: Among the many food options near Barton Springs Pool are the original Chuy’s, Juiceland, and the Picnic food truck park. While you’re at Zilker Park, you can also visit Zilker Botanical Garden, the Austin Nature & Science Center, and hang out on the extensive lawns.

2. Deep Eddy Pool

The oldest swimming pool in Texas gets a place on this list since it’s completely spring fed. That might be bending the swimming-hole rules, but Deep Eddy is a place you should know about. It’s open all year, and it has a zero-entry side that’s perfect for young children. Older swimmers can venture into a section with deeper water, and there’s a separate pool for lap swimmers.

While You’re There: Conveniently located right next to the pool, the Pool Burger food truck serves up burgers, fries, tiki drinks, and ice cream.

3. Hamilton Pool

Located on the western edge of Austin’s suburbs, Hamilton Pool is one of the most beautiful swimming holes in Texas. The pool lies partially underneath a collapsed grotto, and the blue-green water is usually open for swimming as long as bacteria counts aren’t too high. Advance reservations are required.

Due to the danger of falling rocks after 2021’s historic deep freeze, swimming at Hamilton Pool has been limited to the beach area and visitors are no longer able to walk all the way around the pool. Since this is a changing situation, be sure to check the pool’s website for the most current information.

While You’re There: Hamilton Pool is just a few minutes away from two other local attractions. Reimer’s Ranch is a county park open for hiking and mountain biking. It also offers extensive access to the Pedernales River. At Westcave Preserve, visitors walk through a verdant canyon to reach a striking grotto and 40-foot waterfall.

4. Blue Hole (Wimberley)

Like Hamilton Pool, the city of Wimberley’s Blue Hole is a natural beauty spot. The spring-fed pool (actually a section of Cypress Creek) is lined with cypress trees, and the water is a gorgeous blue green that varies depending on the light. One section of the pool is great for wading, but the water is deeper by two rope swings. Visitors can use the large grassy area adjacent to the pool for snacks and swim breaks.

Blue Hole is open for swimming on weekends in May, every day from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and then on weekends in September. Visitors can choose between two time slots: 9 am to 1 pm or 2 to 6 pm. Reservations are required and usually need to be made far in advance.

While You’re There: Wimberley is an increasingly popular destination for Hill Country visitors. Take some time to check out its shops and restaurants!

5. Jacob’s Well (swimming is currently closed due to lack of water)

***NOTE: SWIMMING IN JACOB’S WELL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED DUE TO LACK OF WATER***

Wimberley is also home to Jacob’s Well, the most unique swimming hole on this list. More than a “well,” it’s actually the second-largest submerged cave in Texas, and its extensive tunnels reach a depth of 140 feet. The main cavern alone is over 4000 feet long, making Jacob’s Well a legendary (and sometimes deadly) destination for underwater explorers.

Jacob’s Well’s spring releases thousands of gallons of water through the striking cave opening every day. It serves as the headwaters of Cypress Creek, which flows through Blue Hole (see #4) and eventually empties into the Blanco River.

Jacob’s Well is located inside the Jacob’s Well Natural Area. Though it’s free to hike on the trails and view the well, you must have a reservation to swim. The swim season runs from May to September, and online reservations, which should be booked well in advance, allow visitors up to two hours of swim time.

Are you curious what it’s like deep inside Jacob’s Well? Check out these videos from the Jacob’s Well Exploration Project.

While You’re There: If you’d like another place to swim in Cypress Creek (one that doesn’t require reservations or involve a cavernous hole), visit the Cypress Falls Swimming Hole.

6. Krause Springs

Privately owned by the Krause family for over 60 years, this 115-acre property is home to 32 springs. Several of the springs feed into a gorgeous natural pool and a separate, artificial swimming pool. The natural pool has a rope swing as well as a small cave that you can explore (if you don’t mind spiders). The family welcomes guests year round except between November 1st and February 15th. You can visit for the day (picnic tables and grills are available), or campsites are available for tents and RVs.

While You’re There: Opie’s BBQ is located right at the turnoff to Krause Springs from Highway 71.

7. Blue Hole (Georgetown)

North of Austin, the city of Georgetown boasts its own Blue Hole. Though it’s not as atmospheric as Wimberley’s Blue Hole, this dammed section of the South San Gabriel River offers plenty of fun without the need for reservations or an admission fee.

The upper swimming area has deeper water and is lined on one side by scenic limestone cliffs that were once used for cliff jumping (it’s not allowed anymore). The lower swimming area is around three feet deep with some variation. My kids loved playing on the rocky waterfall that gradually descends into it.

8. San Marcos River

The San Marcos River is a great choice not just for swimming, but also for tubing and kayaking. This 3.8-mile river is formed in San Marcos at Spring Lake courtesy of hundreds of springs, creating unusually clear and clean water flowing at around 72 degrees.

Within the city of San Marcos, some of the best places to swim include Sewell Park (located on Texas State University’s campus), the sprawling Rio Vista Park, and William & Eleanor Crook Park.

While anyone is welcome to bring a tube to one of the parks and jump in the river with it, the San Marcos Lions Club offers tube rentals at its City Park headquarters as well as a shuttle service from Rio Vista Park back to City Park. The total floating time is around 45 minutes, though you’ll likely take extra time to swim or to run your tube down the optional mild rapids at the end of the trip.

While You’re There: Take a 30-minute, glass-bottom boat tour of Spring Lake with Texas State University’s Meadows Center.

9. Lake Travis

Located west of Austin, Lake Travis is part of a chain of Colorado River reservoirs known as the Highland Lakes. Not only are they the major water source for the region, but they’re also one of its most popular recreation destinations. Thanks to its size and its proximity to Austin, Lake Travis is the biggest draw of all six lakes.

While Lake Travis is best known for its boating scene, there are also many places to swim, including Pace Bend State Park, Arkansas Bend Park, Sandy Creek Park, Mansfield Dam Park, and Bob Wentz Park. Hippie Hollow Park is famous for being the only clothing optional park in Texas.

While You’re There: For an amplified swimming experience, you can visit Lake Travis Waterloo Adventures, a floating water park with obstacle course inflatables. The Oasis at Lake Travis is a popular cliff-side restaurant known for its sunset views.

10. Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Not only does Emma Long Metropolitan Park offer one of the few public swimming spots on Lake Austin, but it also has the region’s best sandy beach (though in central Texas that’s not saying too much). The beach is next to a shallow swim area that’s nestled between two piers and marked off by ropes, making it a favorite destination for families. Kids will swim, jump off the piers, and play in the sand for hours.

If the beach feels too crowded, there are plenty of other places to swim or launch a boat along the park’s shore. There are also picnic tables, grills, and even a campground if you want to stay overnight.

Emma Long Metropolitan Park is open for a fee every day, all year, but pre-purchased reservations are required on holidays and from Friday to Sunday from March to September. See the park website for more details.

While You’re There: Take a hike on the park’s Turkey Creek Trail before cooling off in the lake.

Honorable Mention: Barton Creek

Austin’s Barton Creek doesn’t always have enough water for swimming (or any water at all), but its swimming holes are so popular and atmospheric that they deserve a mention on this list.

When there’s enough water, the creek’s two biggest swimming areas are Campbell’s Hole and Gus Fruh. Visitors also flock to Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, which can be very crowded on weekends. My family often hikes to find quieter areas to play in the water between Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls.

You can access Barton Creek via the 8-mile Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail. Click here for a map of the trail from the city of Austin’s website that shows trailheads and swimming/waterfall areas. Keep in mind that the Gaines entrance off MoPac Highway is the most crowded and has the biggest party atmosphere. My family prefers the Spyglass, Gus Fruh, and Loop 360 entrances.

While You’re There: Stop for breakfast or lunch at Tacodeli, which is located across the street from the Greenbelt’s Spyglass entrance.

Looking for more things to do in Austin? Check out the following posts:

Austin Family Travel Guide

Austin Family-Friendly Bucket List