Best Swimming Holes In and Near Austin (and How to Actually Get In)

Austin summers are long, and the best way to survive them is the way locals have for generations: cold spring water. The good news for newcomers is that some of the best swimming holes in Texas are inside the city limits or within an hour's drive. The catch is that the famous ones now need reservations, fill up early, or close after heavy rain. Here's how to actually get in the water.

Inside Austin: swim after work

Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park is the one everyone means when they say "go to the springs." It's a three-acre, spring-fed pool that stays around 68 degrees year-round, which feels icy in July and surprisingly warm in January. It's also home to the endangered Barton Springs salamander, so the pool closes periodically for cleaning and after floods. Check the City of Austin's pool page for current hours and fees before you go.

Deep Eddy Pool, just off Lake Austin Boulevard, is the oldest swimming pool in Texas. It's fed by well water, it's calmer than Barton Springs, and it has a shallow end, which makes it a better pick if you want to swim laps or bring kids.

McKinney Falls State Park in southeast Austin is the surprise most newcomers don't know about: real limestone falls on Onion Creek, inside the city. Swimming is allowed, but water quality varies after storms, so check the park's alerts. Texas state park entry fees apply.

Day trips worth the drive

The Hill Country west of Austin is where the postcard swimming holes are. Plan these as morning trips and book ahead.

• Hamilton Pool Preserve (about 30 miles west): a collapsed limestone grotto with a waterfall pouring into a jade-green pool. Reservations are required, and swimming is sometimes closed because of bacteria levels or rockfall risk. Even when swimming is closed, the hike in is worth it.
• Jacob's Well (Wimberley): an artesian spring with a famously deep, narrow opening. Swimming is seasonal and reservation-only.
• Blue Hole Regional Park (Wimberley): a cypress-shaded swimming area on Cypress Creek with rope swings. Seasonal, with timed reservations on busy days.
• Krause Springs (Spicewood): privately owned, with a fee, a garden, and camping. A good backup when the public spots are booked.
• Pedernales Falls State Park (near Johnson City): swim in the designated area downstream, not at the falls themselves, where currents are dangerous.

The Greenbelt: free, but only after rain

The Barton Creek Greenbelt has spots like Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls that are spectacular after a wet spring and completely dry in a drought. Before you hike in, check recent rainfall or local social posts about the creek's flow. When it's running, it's one of the best free afternoons in Austin.

What newcomers get wrong

• Swimming in Lady Bird Lake. It looks inviting, but swimming there is prohibited by city ordinance. Paddle it instead.
• Showing up at noon on a Saturday. Popular spots hit capacity early. Go on a weekday or right when they open.
• Skipping reservations. Hamilton Pool, Jacob's Well, and Blue Hole all use reservation systems in season. Book a week or two out.
• Bringing glass. Most parks ban it. Bring a reusable bottle and plenty of water, because the walk back in Texas heat is real.
• Ignoring flood and bacteria alerts. Hill Country creeks rise fast after storms. If a site is closed, it's closed for a reason.

Go with people, not alone

Swimming holes are one of the easiest ways to turn acquaintances into friends: a whole lazy afternoon, nothing to perform, and a built-in story about the cold water. If you're new and don't have a crew yet, New To Austin events are a low-pressure way to meet people who are also looking for weekend plans, and you can join free to see who's going. For more newcomer basics, browse the rest of our Austin guides.