While all of these locations are within four hours of central San Antonio, only a handful of them are over two hours away. Perfect for day-tripping, these swimming holes are going to help you get cool, especially since summer is basically already here.

Blanco State Park 101 Park Rd, Blanco, (830) 833-4333, tpwd.texas.gov Even though the park is small – it’s located along a one-mile portion of the Blanco River – there’s a lot to do. You can hike, paddle, picnic, and, of course, cool off in the water. Photo via Instagram / lost.in.satx
Lake Raven 565 Park Rd 40 W, Huntsville, (936) 295-5644, tpwd.texas.gov Located in Huntsville State Park, Lake Raven is a 210-acre lake. You can relax by the water, fish from the shores, or even get in. Photo via Instagram / reyann
Garner State Park 234 RR 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.gov Located on the pristine Frio River (brr!), Garner State Park is one of the most relaxing weekend destinations out there. Photo via Instagram / miguelgj21
Canyon Lake Canyon Lake, tpwd.texas.gov Canyon Lake is a large lake located only an hour from San Antonio. Take the exit at the Buc-ee’s in New Braunfels to find your way there. Photo via Instagram / burnsdotravel
Rio Vista Park 555 Cheatham St, San Marcos, (512) 393-8400, toursanmarcos.com With no admission or parking fees, Rio Vista Falls is the perfect alternative to expensive swimming holes if you’re a broke college student. Even if you’re not, this location is a great deal if you’re looking for fun. Photo via Instagram / matt_goldbar
Jacob’s Well 1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, (512) 214-4593, co.hays.tx.us If being out of the public eye is more your style, make a reservation at Jacob’s Well. Each reservation is good for a two-hour time block, so bring your best buds and enjoy the feeling of having the place to yourself. Photo via Instagram / damoskies
Medina Lake (830) 612-2715, sanantonio.gov Used mostly for fishing and boating, Medina Lake is the perfect experience where you can bring your rod and reel and swim if the fish aren’t biting. Photo via Instagram / aerial_chase
Twin Falls 3918 S Mopac Expy, Austin, (512) 974-6700, austinparks.org Located in the Barton Creek greenbelt, Twin Falls is a free water hole where you can swim and cool off in the hot Texas summer. Since it’s a natural swimming hole fed by the same springs as the Barton Creek pools, the water levels can fluctuate with rainfall. Photo via Instagram / cgaussiran
Bob Wentz Park 7144 Comanche Trl, Austin, parks.traviscountytx.gov Bob Wentz Park is ideal for water sports like windsurfing, sailing, and scuba diving. Photo via Instagram / kayeazee
Guadalupe River 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov Before heading out to the Guadalupe River this summer, be sure to check the park alerts on the website, as the park will be undergoing repairs to various campgrounds this summer. However, none of these should affect the cooling sensation that the water will have on hot days! Photo via Instagram / philipslance
Lake Buchanan Burnet, highlandlakes.com Lake Buchanan is also located near Burnet. Swimming is best near its granite shores. Photo via Instagram / teresav02
Inks Lake 3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.gov If you fall in love with Inks Lake during the summer, fear not! Its water levels are near-constant year-round, so you can come any time of the year and see the gorgeous waters. Photo via Instagram / brookebarber
Schumacher Crossing Hunt, hillcountryoutdoorguide.com The portion of the Guadalupe River where you can find Schumacher Crossing is very clean most of the time because there are virtually no cities in the surrounding areas. Keep it that way and clean up after yourself. Photo via Instagram / renegadecowgirl
Barton Springs 2131 William Barton Drive, Austin, (512) 867-3080, austintexas.gov Located within Zilker Park (where ACL is held) and fed by the Edwards Aquifer, the Barton Springs Pool is between 68 and 70 degrees year-round. To maintain the cleanliness for wildlife and guests, Barton Springs is closed to the public on Thursdays. Photo via Instagram / thetimnelson
McKinney Falls State Park 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov Swimmer beware! Onion Creek can flood after rainfall, so water levels may be higher than normal. Other than that, McKinney Falls State Park is a beautiful and rugged reflection of Texas landscape. Photo via Instagram / geebeliz
Hamilton Pool 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, traviscountytx.gov Hamilton Pool closes when the water or bacteria levels are too high to swim safely, which typically only happens after heavy rainfalls. When they’re at acceptable levels, reservations must be made. When you see the pictures, you’ll understand that the red tape is well, well worth the visit and the views. Photo via Instagram / jorge_ksk
Devil’s Waterhole 3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.gov The Devil’s Waterhole is a part of Inks Lake located near Burnet. The water is a beautiful blue, so be prepared to catch some breathtaking sunsets. Photo via Instagram / latracia
San Felipe Springs Del Rio, edwardsaquifer.net With gentle but flowing currents, San Felipe Springs is the perfect place to cool off this summer if you happen to be near the border. Photo via Instagram / swimmingholesoftexas
Comal River Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, (830) 387-4408, playinnewbraunfels.com What can’t you do in the Comal River? You can swim, tube, drink (as long as it’s not in a glass container), and even scuba dive. Just heed the “No diving from bridge” signs. Photo via Instagram / bosstart
Landa Park Lake 164 Landa Park Dr, New Braunfels, (830) 221-4350, nbtexas.org If you’re an outdoorsy person, there’s no way that you haven’t heard of Landa Park. If you’re not an outdoorsy person and you haven’t heard of Landa Park, it’s famous among tourists and Central Texas residents alike for its hiking trails and Landa Park Lake. Photo via Instagram / buddymonn
Hippie Hollow 7000 Comanche Trl, Austin, (512) 854-7275, parks.traviscountytx.gov Clothing optional. Photo via Instagram / any.delacroix
Fort Clark Springs 300 US-90, Brackettville, (830) 563-2493, texashighways.com Also known as Las Moras Springs, the Fort Clark Springs are 68 degrees year round, but swimming isn’t the only attraction. Get out and explore. Photo via Instagram / forclarksprings
Krause Springs 404 Krause Springs Rd, Spicewood, (830) 693-4181, krausesprings.net With both natural and man-made pools available for your swimming pleasure, Krause Springs is a can’t-miss. If you like it enough, you can even camp there. Photo via Instagram / alaskanturk
San Pedro Springs 2200 N Flores St, (210) 732-5992, edwardsaquifer.net Older than the United States, San Pedro Springs was established in 1729. Even before then, people crossing through recognized its beauty. Photo via Instagram / queen_ev21
Wimberley Blue Hole 100 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, (512) 660-9111, cityofwimberley.com The Wimberley Blue Hole is another swimming hole that requires a reservation to visit. Once again, taking just one look at the picture will make it all make sense. Photo via Instagram / littledexy