Beat the Heat: Swimming Holes In And Around Austin
One of the best ways to beat the summer heat here in Austin is to find yourself a good swimming hole. Many of the creeks along popular hikes will have water if there’s been some steady rainfall, but those aren’t always guaranteed to have water year-round. These are the swimming holes in and around Austin that will almost always be guaranteed to have water and cool you down!
Swimming Holes In And Around Austin
Krause Springs
This is a refreshing (read: chilly!) natural springs you can swim in. There’s an actual pool there, plus a waterfall/natural swimming area, a butterfly garden, and camp grounds. It can be a slippery challenge to walk across to the natural spring, so wear water hiking shoes and be careful with little ones! $5-9 (kids under 4 are free).
Blue Hole Wimberley
Our favorite swimming hole with rope swings that we visit every year. Make reservations before you go! Open May-Sept. Bring floats, food, drinks, sunscreen, chairs or a blanket, and maybe a frisbee or football to toss around on the big lawn if you want to get out of the water. $6-12 per person.
Cypress Falls
Another Wimberley swimming hole that’s perfect for floating around on a hot and lazy summer day. You can rent canoes or just stay and float. Kids 4 and under are free, $6 to float for everyone else.
Jacob’s Well
Do you dare to jump into the underwater cave of Jacob’s Well?! Open May-Sept. Make a reservation before you go. $5-9.
Blue Hole Georgetown
One of our favorite FREE spots to swim in! We love to park at Hat Creek and walk down the path with some burgers and shakes. There’s a shallow section right away, perfect for toddlers to wade in. If you go further up the path, you will find deeper areas perfect for floating and swimming. Some people even like to jump from the cliffs there (even though there are signs saying it’s not allowed). Fun to watch!
McKinney Falls
My kids have enjoyed swimming at both the upper and the lower falls here. It’s close and convenient and a fun place to hike and cool down with a swim! Reservations recommended before you go! $6/adult (kids free).
Barton Springs Pool
If you only do one swimming hole in Austin this summer, make it Barton Springs. We have some tips if you want to go with kids! $2-5.
Tejas Camp
This place is FREE for day use (you can also camp there for super cheap)! Bring your floats and your hats (there isn’t any shade). You can usually find water to swim in here, but how safe it is to swim in might depend on recent rainfall.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Head towards the swimming area and find yourself a nice little slice of heaven along the river to wade in all day! Reservations recommended. $6/adult.
Son’s Island
We did an entire write-up on Son’s Island. Read all about it here!
Blanco State Park
A cute little park that’s not too far from Austin. There’s a part of the river that’s sectioned off and perfect for swimming (or you can bring floats for the actual river).
Russell Beach on Lake Georgetown
Entry fee day pass is $5 to park at Lake Georgetown. Parking lot close to the beachy section at Russell Park. Bring some fun sand toys. You can swim in the lake and the passing boats will make waves. Only open for swimming April- Sept. Don’t try to go over spring break like we did (it’s closed)!
Emma Long Metro Park
Enjoy the shallow beach entry to Lake Austin, perfect for toddlers and younger kids. Older kids like to jump off the pier into the water. Bring sand toys! There is a park entry fee and you might want to get reservations on the weekends to ensure a spot!
Lake Pflugerville
Another beach-like spot in Austin. It’s free and has tiny pebble but can be played with like sand. The water is pleasant enough to swim in!
Secret Beach
I made a reel on how to find Austin’s “Secret Beach”! Go here to see it! We like to park at the Montopolis Youth Sports Complex and go from there. FREE!
Reimers Ranch
We found the water to be quite refreshing when we visited Reimers Ranch last summer. You can even bring floats and just relax in the water while you’re there. Entry fee is cash only ($5/adult)!
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