Beat the Heat With the Best Seven Swimming Holes in Austin
If the only place you want to hang out is underwater, check out these great swimming areas in the Austin area.
It’s summer in Austin, and that means heat—heat so intense that I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re able to fry an egg on the sidewalk by summer’s end. If you feel like the only place you want to hang out is inside or next to water, check out these great swimming areas in the Austin area. From springs to lakes to rivers to ordinary municipal pools, we’ve listed the best ways to keep cool during the summer. Grab your sunscreen, put on your bikini and rock on.
1. Barton Springs
I wish I could tell you Barton Springs is only the most well-known of Austin’s swimming areas and there’s another lesser-known place that’s even better, but I’d be lying. In terms of size, water temperature and price, you can’t find anything better than Barton Springs. Since it’s spring-fed, the temperature hovers at about 68 to 70 degrees, which feels refreshingly cold in the summer heat. Naturally, Barton Springs can get exceptionally crowded, especially on weekends. When I went on a Friday afternoon, it was packed. A line stretched out the door and we had to hunt for a spot to lay out. In spite of the crowds, Barton Springs is still the best place to swim. There’s room for sunbathing, depths ranging to 18 feet and an adjacent exhibit called Splash!, where patrons can learn more about the pool and Edwards Aquifer.
Cost: $3 to $4 for adults, $1 to $2 for seniors, $2 to $3 for juniors (12 to 17), $1 to $2 for children (Austin residents get the lower of each price.)
Lifeguard: yes
Other features: Barton Springs is located in Zilker Park, so it’s right next to the jogging trails, hiking areas, Zilker Hillside Theater and spots to rent kayaks. Barton Springs also has a pretty sweet concession stand, and food and drink options abound just down the street.
2. Deep Eddy Pool
Deep Eddy Pool is a historic manmade swimming pool, getting its beginnings as a swimming hole in the Colorado River and becoming a resort in the 1920s. Today, it’s a popular swimming destination operated by the City of Austin. The pool boasts a waterslide and a diving area. This is basically Barton Springs’ younger brother. It doesn’t have the same amount of space and range of depth as Barton Springs, but Deep Eddy is one of the lesser-known areas for swimming. As a result, it doesn’t get as crowded as Barton Springs. Even so, the crowd is rather sizeable, even on weekdays. Come after hours for movie nights and float and watch a great family film.
Cost: $1 to $4
Lifeguard: yes
Other features: There’s ample room to lay out. It’s family-friendly, with a toddler play area. And lap swimming is available.
3. McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls is a great swim area for the more adventurous swimmers. The park boasts hiking-and-biking trails, as well as camping areas, and the trek to the swimming area is a little bit of a hike. Even so, it’s definitely worth the walk. There’s a cliff area to jump off, and with all the recent rain, the falls are gorgeous.
Cost: $6 for adults
Lifeguard: no
Other features: hiking-and-biking trails, historical sites
4. West Lake Beach
This beach has a roped-off swimming area as deep as eight feet, a reservable pavilion, water volleyball, horseshoes and a place for launching boats. It even has a sand beach! The area is often rented out for private parties during the week, so call ahead to make sure it’s open.
Cost: $8 for adults, $5 for kids
Lifeguard: no
Other features: boat-launching area, pavilion, volleyball, sand beach
5. Mansfield Dam Park
One of the many swimming areas around Lake Travis, Mansfield Dam Park is a great place to swim or sunbathe. It’s also great if you have a boat.
Cost: $10 per vehicle
Lifeguard: no
Other features: boating, underwater dive park, concessions, picnic areas
6. Krause Springs
A 30-minute drive from downtown Austin, Krause Springs is a great place to relax and cool off or go on a camping trip. It’s got wading areas and a rope swing, as well as hiking trails and well-kept restrooms. Make sure to call ahead because it gets crowded early.
Cost: $7 for adults, $2 for kids
Lifeguard: no
Other features: camping, hiking trails, wading, rope swing
7. Blue Hole
When I was a kid, Blue Hole was some backwoods place only a couple people knew about, where your parents dropped you off for the day so you could learn to jump off trees, swing from rope swings and do other dangerous, unsupervised things. Since the City of Wimberley bought the park and cleaned it up, Blue Hole now has soccer fields, basketball courts and camping areas, in addition to a well-kept swimming area. Call ahead on weekends and holidays because it reaches capacity quickly.
Cost: $9 for adults, $5 for kids
Lifeguard: no
Other features: basketball courts, grilling and camping areas, hiking-and-biking trails, easy-access wading area, rope swing
The City of Austin also has numerous municipal pools and swimming areas. Click here for a full list of Austin’s Parks and Recreation pools and splash pads.
Deep Eddy and Barton Springs photos courtesy of Austin Parks and Rec. McKinney Falls photos courtesy of State Parks Division, Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. West Lake Beach photos by Andrea Depwe, West Lake Beach.
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