As you travel throughout Texas, there is one thing you will find time and time again is that Texans have all learned how to put up with the summer temperatures that can soar into the hundreds–in large part thanks to all of the natural Texas swimming holes that are available to take a dip in!
From spring-fed wells to rivers, the best places to swim in Texas stretch across the state, sometimes showing up in the most unexpected spots (looking at you, Balmorhea State Park!).
Here are some of the best swimming holes in Texas to check out this summer, updated for 2025!
Looking for a Place to Swim Close to Home?
If you’d like to narrow your search for the best swimming holes in Texas to those a bit closer to your backyard, we have guides on places to swim in and near Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio to check out as well.
Even in major cities, you’re never too far from a place to swim in Texas!
15 Best Swimming Holes in Texas
Barton Springs Pool, Austin
68 to 70 degree water… all year round! That’s exactly what the Austin classic Barton Springs Pool both promises and delivers.
If the cool refreshing water temperatures aren’t enough to entice you to visit Barton Springs, the surrounding scenery is worth the drive.
Located in the heart of Zilker Park, Barton Springs Pool provides you the perfect way to spend your day while still being close to town to try out a new local restaurant.
Barton Springs has become increasingly popular over the years, so finding a spot means arriving early and, between March and October, purchasing a ticket.
Austin residents get a discount, so be sure to bring your ID along if you’re a local!
If you want to bring your kids, Barton Springs also has lifeguards on duty throughout the year, allowing you to relax and enjoy the day.
The Blue Hole, Wimberley
Located in the adorable town of Wimberley, the Blue Hole is a favorite spot amongst locals and visitors.
The Blue Hole provides you with a place to relax and even has a shaded picnic area to relax in if you want a break from the water.
Like so many other swimming areas in Texas, the Blue Hole is a spring-fed pool that stays cool all year long.
Blue Hole is a very popular place to spend the day, so be sure to make advance reservations before driving to Wimberley!
Here’s our detailed guide to visiting the Blue Hole (including reservation and ticket information).
Hamilton Pool, Dripping Springs
With a natural shade created by a limestone overhang, Hamilton Pool provides the perfect area to escape the Texas heat.
As you walk up to Hamilton Pool, you will see a 55-foot waterfall that flows into a body of water that beckons you to go for a swim.
The dome that partially covers Hamilton Pool creates an escape into nature that is hard to surpass.
Hamilton Pool is a popular choice for Texans and visitors alike, and in recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to access!
Not only do you need to make a reservation well in advance to get access to the pool at all, but whether or not swimming is allowed on the day of your visit is a constantly moving target.
The pool (and sometimes trails) close for safety reasons, including bacteria levels, often.
If you want to make a swim here part of your summer experience, we recommend carefully reading the county website for how to visit, making a reservation, and crossing your fingers–it takes a bit of luck to swim at Hamilton Pool these days, but there’s no doubt that it’s still one of the most iconic swimming holes in Texas.
Blanco State Park, Blanco
Located within Blanco State Park, the Falls Dam draws in crowds every single year, and for good reason.
Blanco State Park is a great place to spend the day with various trails as well as a wading pool that will beckon your name in the heat of the day.
If you have children that need to use up some energy, the cool temperatures of the Falls Dam is a prime spot to set up for the day.
In addition to swimming, summer in Blanco is also associated with lavender season, including the Blanco Lavender Festival in June!
Garner State Park, Concan
If you are from Texas, you have learned about the stark beauty that is Garner State Park.
However, Garner has plenty to do between the diverse scenery and the Frio’s refreshing waters.
Many people travel to Garner State Park to soak in the refreshingly cool waters of the Frio River that flows through the park.
While you are visiting, Garner State Park has a miniature golf course and a nightly dance during the summer months.
Bring inner tubes to float the Frio while you relax or head to the rope swings for an added level of adventure.
Devil’s Waterhole, Burnet
Located within the boundaries of Inks Lake State Park, Devils Waterhole in Burnet is an excellent destination for those needing a place to cool off in the summer months.
Many people choose to venture out to Devil’s Waterhole because of the prime cliff jumping off the red rocks surrounding it.
The beauty of Devil’s Waterhole being in a state park is that you can make an entire weekend out of your adventure.
So bring your tent, roast s’mores, and swim as much as your heart desires.
Prefer to head back into town for a bite to eat? The Burnet classic of Bill’s Burgers, Wings & Things is the perfect post-swim meal!
Jacob’s Well, Wimberley*
*2025 Update: Sadly, due to low water levels, Jacob’s Well continues to be closed to swimming. Fingers crossed we all get to enjoy it again one day! In the meantime, you can still choose to visit without swimming.
A true Texas gem, Jacob’s Well is one of those Texas swimming holes that you have to see to believe.
People flock to Jacob’s Well to see the magnificent entrance to an extensive underwater cave system.
While Jacob’s Well is in no way a large swimming area, people love to jump into the thirty-five-foot hole that only measures twelve feet across.
Unfortunately, as noted above, Jacob’s Well has been closed to swimmers for several years now due to low water levels.
While I can’t quite bear to totally cross it off this list yet–it may be tied with Hamilton’s Pool as the most famous Texas swimming hole, after all–the prospect of swimming in it again soon does not look likely.
However, there is a small silver lining: viewing the pool from outside the water is still possible, worth the effort if you’re in the area, and doesn’t require a reservation or fighting nearly as many crowds these days!
Comal River, New Braunfels
If you have heard of the Comal River, you have probably heard of the famous City Tube Chute!
If not, here’s what tyou need to know: the Tube Chute is built into the dam and adds a layer of intensity to any normal floating trip.
As you approach the Tube Chute, make sure you hold on to any valuables and stay on the tube, as there tends to be a whirlpool water effect on the other side.
If you are bringing small children, it is recommended that they have a life jacket on for the entire experience.
The beauty of the Comal River is you can make your time as exciting or relaxing as you want.
Rent a tube to easily float the river, or head to the tube shoot to add some excitement.
Balmorhea State Park, Toyahvale
You may be thinking that all of West Texas is desert and tumbleweeds, but Balmorhea State Park is here to prove you wrong!
While much of West Texas is dry and arid, there is a hidden gem that provides the perfect place to escape the desert temperatures.
Balmorhea State Park is a spring-fed pool with crystal clear water that cools you off in an instant.
Like many other places to swim in Texas, you can enjoy 70-degree water year-round because Balmorhea is spring-fed.
If you are looking for more outdoor adventure, Balmorhea is also insanely popular amongst scuba divers.
The glistening waters are not only beautiful to swim in but offer you spectacular views when you explore underneath the water’s edge.
With no reservation system and no fee beyond the basic state park fee, a visit to Balmorhea State Park feels worlds away from the Hill Country crowds!
Krause Springs, Spicewood
There is truly nothing like the family-owned and operated Krause Springs located in Spicewood, Texas.
Krause Springs features several swimming areas, but that’s not all. As you enter the property, you will be greeted by a captivating butterfly garden that will be the perfect entrance for your day on the water.
As you continue into the park, the next area you will come to is a man-made swimming pool.
You have the option to set up for the day at the man-made pool or head down the staircase to be greeted with the most majestic playground in nature.
This area stays cool all year because of the various springs that feed into it, bask in the sun, or add some adventure to your day by flying off of the rope swing.
Whatever your heart desires, your day at Krause Springs will have you wanting to come back entirely too often–which is easy to do because unlike many of these Texas swimming holes, Krause Springs stays open almost year-round!
McKinney Falls State Park, Austin
Where limestone rocks meet small waterfalls, the perfect atmosphere is created to have a family day by the water.
There are varying smaller “pools” where you can swim, and children can splash the day away.
Mckinney Falls is located outside of Austin and provides a perfect day trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Besides enjoying one of the best swimming holes in Texas, there are also plenty of trails that you can explore.
Make an entire day of McKinney Falls by hiking a trail and then cooling off in the cooling waters it offers year-round.
While reservations aren’t entirely required, the official state park website recommends buying your day passes ahead of time for “weekends, school breaks, and holidays”.
If you’re excited to go for a swim at McKinney Falls this summer, we suggest planning ahead!
The Blue Hole, Georgetown
While you may remember reading about a swimming area called the Blue Hole above, there are actually 2 Texas swimming holes that go by that name, and they’re not too far apart!
While we already covered the better-known Wimberley version, you’ll also find a Blue Hole in Georgetown!
Georgetown is similar to Wimberly in the fact that it is a unique town that is full to the brim with character.
In addition, the Blue Hole of Georgetown is located just minutes from downtown and is a great spot to cool off in the heat of the summer.
The Blue Hole creates small falls as the water gently cascades over the limestone formations all around.
So pack a picnic and head to the Blue Hole to enjoy a day of swimming in Texas that your family will absolutely love.
Blue Lagoon, Huntsville
You would honestly never know that within the boundaries of Huntsville, Texas lies a prime scuba diving spot called the Blue Lagoon.
The Blue Lagoon is not only a favorite among amateur and professional scuba divers, but you can simply visit to swim in the blue waters.
Many people travel from all over to dive into these waters with their scuba gear to explore the mock shipwrecks below the waterline.
In addition, a lot of people will do their final scuba test in these waters.
If you want to learn how to scuba dive or you just want to enjoy one of the best swimming holes in Texas, the Blue Lagoon is perfect for both!
While it’s not the most budget-friendly Texas swimming hole, there’s no doubt that it features truly beautiful water.
Spicewood Springs, Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park is an outdoor fanatics paradise.
With multiple caves that you can explore, swimming areas, hiking trails, and an immensely diverse landscape, this unique Texas state park is worth a stop!
There are not only one but six TX swimming holes at Colorado Bend State Park, allowing you to find the perfect space away from the crowd.
The various swimming areas in the park are referred to as Spicewood Springs because of the spring-fed water flowing through them that stays around 70 degrees all year.
And, while it’s not in the same part of the park, we can’t resist pointing out that the 70-foot Gorman Falls–easily one of the top waterfalls in Texas–is also located in Colorado Bend State Park!
Tips for Enjoying Texas Swimming Holes
When making the most of all the beautiful places to swim in Texas, it is crucial to make sure you and your family protect yourself from sunburn and heat exhaustion.
Here are several ways to survive the Texas heat and enjoy your time on the water.
Pack sunscreen.
Even if it feels like a cool day in Texas, the wind alone can leave you with a gnarly sunburn that will be miserable.
And, while sunscreen (we love this mineral one) is essential just about every day in Texas, you may need to reapply more than you think while swimming!
If you are spending your entire day swimming, encourage your family to take breaks every few hours to reapply and rest in the shade, so they stay protected all day long.
Bring plenty of water.
Texas heat is no joke.
In the high temperatures that you often see during the Texas summer, heat exhaustion can happen quickly and without warning.
So if you want to spend the day outdoors, make sure you have enough water for your entire family, including your pets.
Even if you want to swim all day, make sure everyone stays hydrated throughout the day.
Don’t hike in the heat of the day.
Some of these Texas swimming holes require a small hike to reach, so be sure to plan for that, and not just your time on the water.
Another way to beat the Texas heat is to plan your activities accordingly.
The middle of the day brings hot temperatures, so planning to hike early and swim during the heat of the day will help your family stay cool.
You can also choose to hike to certain swimming areas located on hikes and arrive when it is warm outside so you can jump in to get refreshed.
No matter your plans for experiencing the best swimming holes in Texas, take the heat seriously and take breaks in the shade or go for a swim to cool your body off quickly.
I need to go!