There's nothing better on a scorching Texas summer day than a refreshing swim. If the neighborhood pool isn't doing it for you, though, the state offers other great ways to spend a day on the water — from swimming holes and lakes to picturesque spring-fed pools.
We rounded up beautiful swimming spots from across the Lone Star State, focusing on places near San Antonio and road-trip worthy destinations. Hell, we even threw in one place where you can swim nude!
26 beautiful Texas swimming holes, pools and lakes in driving distance of San Antonio
By San Antonio Current Staff on Thu, May 25, 2023 at 4:07 pm
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Shutterstock / Roschetzky Photography
Garner State Park
234 RR 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.gov
Located along 2.9 miles of the Frio River, generations of Texans have spent their summer days at Garner State Park swimming or floating along to beat the blazing heat.
234 RR 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.gov
Located along 2.9 miles of the Frio River, generations of Texans have spent their summer days at Garner State Park swimming or floating along to beat the blazing heat.
Shutterstock / Christian Perry
Krause Springs
404 Krause Spring Road, Spicewood, (401) 236-7554, krausesprings.net
Thirty-two springs, a natural pool and a spring-fed manmade pool are scattered throughout the 115-acre property, ensuring endless relaxation.
404 Krause Spring Road, Spicewood, (401) 236-7554, krausesprings.net
Thirty-two springs, a natural pool and a spring-fed manmade pool are scattered throughout the 115-acre property, ensuring endless relaxation.
Shutterstock / Susan Natoli
Blue Hole
100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, (512) 660-9111, cityofwimberley.com
Minutes from downtown Wimberley, Blue Hole makes for a refreshing stop during a day trip to the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead.
100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, (512) 660-9111, cityofwimberley.com
Minutes from downtown Wimberley, Blue Hole makes for a refreshing stop during a day trip to the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Reservations are required, so be sure to plan ahead.
Shutterstock / Marcus Wennrich
Balmorhea State Park
9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, (432) 375-2370, tpwd.texas.gov
Located in the West Texas town of Toyahvale, Balmorhea State Park's legendary swimming pool is worth the lengthy drive to get there. Fed by San Solomon Springs, the park's pool stays 72 to 76 degrees year-round. Visitors can swim, snorkel and even scuba dive in the 1.3-acre pool, which reaches depths of up to 25 feet.
9207 TX-17, Toyahvale, (432) 375-2370, tpwd.texas.gov
Located in the West Texas town of Toyahvale, Balmorhea State Park's legendary swimming pool is worth the lengthy drive to get there. Fed by San Solomon Springs, the park's pool stays 72 to 76 degrees year-round. Visitors can swim, snorkel and even scuba dive in the 1.3-acre pool, which reaches depths of up to 25 feet.
Wikimedia Commons / LoneStarMike
Hippie Hollow
7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, (512) 854-7275, parks.traviscountytx.gov
Located in the basin area of Lake Travis approximately half an hour from downtown Austin, Hippie Hollow is a hidden gem. What makes it particularly special — and not for everyone — is that it's the only clothing optional public park in Texas. That's right: you can swim in the buff here. Because of this, entry to the park is restricted to visitors 18 and older.
7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, (512) 854-7275, parks.traviscountytx.gov
Located in the basin area of Lake Travis approximately half an hour from downtown Austin, Hippie Hollow is a hidden gem. What makes it particularly special — and not for everyone — is that it's the only clothing optional public park in Texas. That's right: you can swim in the buff here. Because of this, entry to the park is restricted to visitors 18 and older.
Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
Devil’s Waterhole
3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.gov
Part of Inks Lake, the sparkling blue waters and colorful rocks of the Devil’s Waterhole are the perfect backdrop for breathtaking Texas sunsets. Time your visit just right with when the Valley Spring Creek is running — then, you’ll be able to explore the scenic waterfalls upstream.
3630 Park Road 4 W, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.gov
Part of Inks Lake, the sparkling blue waters and colorful rocks of the Devil’s Waterhole are the perfect backdrop for breathtaking Texas sunsets. Time your visit just right with when the Valley Spring Creek is running — then, you’ll be able to explore the scenic waterfalls upstream.
Shutterstock / Roschetzky Photography
Barton Springs
2131 William Barton Drive, Austin, (512) 974-6300, austintexas.gov
Nestled in central Austin’s Zilker Park, the 68-to-70-degree spring water at Barton Springs makes for a great stop to cool off during a day of exploring the city. The 3-acre pool also serves as home for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
2131 William Barton Drive, Austin, (512) 974-6300, austintexas.gov
Nestled in central Austin’s Zilker Park, the 68-to-70-degree spring water at Barton Springs makes for a great stop to cool off during a day of exploring the city. The 3-acre pool also serves as home for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander.
Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov
Located in South Austin, McKinney Falls State Park offers plenty of outdoor fun, but visitors flock to the park in the summer to swim. The Upper Falls swimming hole is particularly popular for its deeper water and picturesque limestone formations.
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov
Located in South Austin, McKinney Falls State Park offers plenty of outdoor fun, but visitors flock to the park in the summer to swim. The Upper Falls swimming hole is particularly popular for its deeper water and picturesque limestone formations.
Photo via Instagram / brandik1970
San Pedro Springs Park Pool
2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov
Looking to spend a day in the poolside shade at a history-filled park smack-dab in the middle of San Antonio? Look no further than San Pedro Springs Park Pool. The 46-acre park dates back to the eighteenth century, making it the second-oldest public park in the country, behind only the Boston Commons. The spring-fed pool was built as a part of the park’s overall renovation in 1915-20, replacing what was once a lake bed.
2200 N. Flores St., (210) 732-5992, sanantonio.gov
Looking to spend a day in the poolside shade at a history-filled park smack-dab in the middle of San Antonio? Look no further than San Pedro Springs Park Pool. The 46-acre park dates back to the eighteenth century, making it the second-oldest public park in the country, behind only the Boston Commons. The spring-fed pool was built as a part of the park’s overall renovation in 1915-20, replacing what was once a lake bed.
Shutterstock / Brandon Seidel
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, (830) 868-7304, tpwd.texas.gov
Not too far from Johnson City are the tranquil, though sometimes turbulent, waters at Pedernales Falls. Certain areas are available to swim in, and there’s also chances for tubing, canoeing and kayaking down the river.
2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, (830) 868-7304, tpwd.texas.gov
Not too far from Johnson City are the tranquil, though sometimes turbulent, waters at Pedernales Falls. Certain areas are available to swim in, and there’s also chances for tubing, canoeing and kayaking down the river.
Library of Congress / Carol M. Highsmith
Comal River
164 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, (830) 387-4408, playinnewbraunfels.com
What better way to spend the day than a relaxing float down the Comal River with your best friends and some tunes? After it emerges from the ground at Comal Springs, the Comal River becomes the shortest navigable river in Texas before feeding into the Guadalupe.
164 Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels, (830) 387-4408, playinnewbraunfels.com
What better way to spend the day than a relaxing float down the Comal River with your best friends and some tunes? After it emerges from the ground at Comal Springs, the Comal River becomes the shortest navigable river in Texas before feeding into the Guadalupe.
Shutterstock / Philip Arno Photography
Blanco State Park
101 Park Road 23, Blanco, (830) 833-4333, tpwd.texas.gov
Just an hour north of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country, the spring-fed river of Blanco State Park makes for a perfect day trip with its space for swimming as well as fishing, paddling, or even a weekend campout.
101 Park Road 23, Blanco, (830) 833-4333, tpwd.texas.gov
Just an hour north of San Antonio in the Texas Hill Country, the spring-fed river of Blanco State Park makes for a perfect day trip with its space for swimming as well as fishing, paddling, or even a weekend campout.
Wikimedia Commons / Larry D. Moore, CC BY-SA 3.0
Deep Eddy
401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin, (512) 472-8546, austintexas.gov
Austin's Deep Eddy is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. Capacity is limited, so get there early to beat the crowds.
401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin, (512) 472-8546, austintexas.gov
Austin's Deep Eddy is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. Capacity is limited, so get there early to beat the crowds.
Shutterstock / Thomas Males
Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov
Swim, tube, canoe or fish — or do all four! With four miles of river frontage, Guadalupe State Park is sure to make for a full day.
3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov
Swim, tube, canoe or fish — or do all four! With four miles of river frontage, Guadalupe State Park is sure to make for a full day.
Photo via Instagram / daytonhardwoodco
Landa Park Aquatic Complex
350 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels, (830) 221-4350, nbtexas.org
While Landa Lake is home to endangered species and off-limits for swimming, visitors to the 51-acre Landa Park can take a dip in the park’s spring-fed pool — or better yet, jump in using the pool’s rope swing.
350 Aquatic Circle, New Braunfels, (830) 221-4350, nbtexas.org
While Landa Lake is home to endangered species and off-limits for swimming, visitors to the 51-acre Landa Park can take a dip in the park’s spring-fed pool — or better yet, jump in using the pool’s rope swing.
Shutterstock / Eric Donahue Photography
Jacob’s Well
1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, (512) 214-4593, co.hays.tx.us
Secluded and small, the crystal clear waters of Jacob's Well makes for a serene swimming experience. Reservations are required to swim and recommended to be made a few weeks in advance. Jacob’s Well is currently closed to swimmers due to unsafe conditions caused by low water levels, but conditions are subject to change.
1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, (512) 214-4593, co.hays.tx.us
Secluded and small, the crystal clear waters of Jacob's Well makes for a serene swimming experience. Reservations are required to swim and recommended to be made a few weeks in advance. Jacob’s Well is currently closed to swimmers due to unsafe conditions caused by low water levels, but conditions are subject to change.
Shutterstock / Gloria Jewell
“The Slab” at Llano River
FM 3404, Kingsland, lakesandhills.com
Sunbathe and wade in the shallow waters at this popular gathering spot along the Llano River in the Hill Country town of Kingsland. Fishing and RV camping are also allowed here, making this spot a treat for all types of vacationers.
FM 3404, Kingsland, lakesandhills.com
Sunbathe and wade in the shallow waters at this popular gathering spot along the Llano River in the Hill Country town of Kingsland. Fishing and RV camping are also allowed here, making this spot a treat for all types of vacationers.
Shutterstock / Wirestock Creators
Lake Amistad National Recreation Area
Highway 90 West, Del Rio, (830) 775-7491, nps.gov
Escape the desert heat in the waters of the U.S. portion of the International Amistad Reservoir, a “borderland paradise” known best for its water recreation, camping, hiking and rock art viewing. Swimming is restricted in certain areas, so head to Governors Landing or Diablo East if you’re looking to take a dip in this natural oasis.
Highway 90 West, Del Rio, (830) 775-7491, nps.gov
Escape the desert heat in the waters of the U.S. portion of the International Amistad Reservoir, a “borderland paradise” known best for its water recreation, camping, hiking and rock art viewing. Swimming is restricted in certain areas, so head to Governors Landing or Diablo East if you’re looking to take a dip in this natural oasis.
Shutterstock / Tricia Daniel
Canyon Lake
1769 Canyon Park Road, Canyon Lake, (830) 907-2300, wordcc.com/canyon-park
Canyon Park, one of the designated swimming spots at Canyon Lake, is located on the lake’s northern shore. With picnic tables, closable grills and a beach, it’s practically like you’re at the gulf — minus the salt water, of course.
1769 Canyon Park Road, Canyon Lake, (830) 907-2300, wordcc.com/canyon-park
Canyon Park, one of the designated swimming spots at Canyon Lake, is located on the lake’s northern shore. With picnic tables, closable grills and a beach, it’s practically like you’re at the gulf — minus the salt water, of course.
Photo via Instagram / satxrated
Chalk Bluff River Resort
1108 Chalk Bluff Road, Uvalde, (830) 278-5515, chalkbluffriverresort.com
Although located on private land, a day pass will get you access to the resort’s one-mile stretch of the famously clear Nueces River.
1108 Chalk Bluff Road, Uvalde, (830) 278-5515, chalkbluffriverresort.com
Although located on private land, a day pass will get you access to the resort’s one-mile stretch of the famously clear Nueces River.
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