UPDATED FOR SUMMER 2026
Austin has been reaching an all-time high in temperatures this summer and it’s not slowing down. I’ve rounded up the best swimming holes in Austin to cool off including both man-made pools and natural swimming holes.
SEE ALSO: 45 Top Things To Do In Austin, Texas, Updated 2023
This is your personal guide to the best swimming holes and watering holes by local Austinites.
Table of Contents
Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is one of the most iconic swimming holes Austin has to offer. This natural spring-fed pool is fed by underground springs and is a refreshing oasis in the heart of the city. Located in Zilker Park’s 358 acres, this 3-acre pool is perfect for a quick dip or a day of lounging in the sun.
History of Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s. The pool was originally created as a swimming hole for the local community, and over the years, it has become a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. Today, it’s a beloved landmark in Austin, and it’s easy to see why.
What to Expect at Barton Springs Pool
Barton Springs Pool is a must-visit spot for anyone looking to cool off in the Texas heat. Here’s what you can expect when you visit:
- Crystal-clear water: The water at Barton Springs Pool is always crystal-clear and cool, with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Natural beauty: The pool is surrounded by lush greenery, and it’s a great spot for a picnic or a game of frisbee.
- A laid-back atmosphere: Whether you’re looking to swim a few laps or just lounge in the sun, Barton Springs Pool is the perfect place to relax and unwind.
- The pool is filled with water from the nearby natural springs so don’t be surprised if you see fish and the endangered Barton Springs salamander swimming alongside you.
- No food, coolers, smoking, or alcohol is permitted.
Jump off any of the diving boards and enjoy the brisk water on a hot summers day!
ENTRANCE FEE: $5 for Austin residents and $9 for non-Austin residents.
PAYMENT: Cash and credit card.
PROHIBITED ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES:
- Coolers, ice chests and thermal bags
- Food
- Pets
- Smoking
- Glass
- Alcohol
- Frisbees, footballs, soccer balls or other hard balls
- Drinks are permitted but must be in a plastic re-sealable container with a twist-top lid</liUpdated for Summer 2026
Austin summers are no joke, and the best way to survive one is the same as it’s always been: find water and get in it. I’ve rounded up the best swimming holes in Austin to help you cool off — from spring-fed pools right in the city to Hill Country gems worth the drive. Every entrance fee, hour, and rule below has been updated for 2026, so you can plan without showing up to a surprise.
SEE ALSO: 54 Best Things To Do In Austin, Texas (Updated 2026)
This is your local’s guide to the best swimming and watering holes in and around Austin.
1. Barton Springs Pool
The crown jewel. This three-acre, spring-fed pool sits right in Zilker Park, stays a brisk 68-70°F year-round, and is hands-down the most iconic place to swim in Austin. Bring a book, claim a spot on the grassy hill, and don’t be surprised if you spot the endangered Barton Springs salamander sharing the water with you. No food, coolers, glass, pets, or alcohol.
Koko Tip: Go at sunrise or after 7pm to beat the crowds and the entry fee window — and from late fall through early spring, admission is free.
ENTRANCE FEE: Residents $2-$5 (adults $5), non-residents $4-$9 (adults $9). Free for kids under 1 and disabled veterans. Fees are charged roughly from Austin ISD spring break through the end of October; free the rest of the year.
PAYMENT: Credit/debit at the ticket kiosks, or cash at the cashier window. You can also buy tickets through the ATXSwims app. (Bathhouse renovation is ongoing — cash entry is currently at the Zilker Cafe building.)
RESERVATIONS: None
HOURS: 5am-10pm daily, except closed Thursdays 9am-7pm for cleaning2201 Barton Springs Rd, austintexas.gov
2. McKinney Falls State Park
A state park just 20 minutes from downtown, with two waterfalls along Onion Creek, easy hiking trails, and picnic spots. It’s the perfect half-day outdoors without leaving the city.
Koko Tip: Reserve a day pass before you go — the park closes to walk-ins once it hits capacity, which happens fast on summer weekends.
ENTRANCE FEE: $6 per person age 13+; kids 12 and under free
PAYMENT: Cash or credit card
RESERVATIONS: Not required, but day passes are highly recommended (reserve online)
HOURS: Park office open 8am-4:15pm daily
GOOD TO KNOW: As of summer 2026, swimming in the Lower Falls is not recommended due to water conditions — check the park’s alerts page before you go.5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744, tpwd.texas.gov
SEE ALSO: 14 Best Hiking Trails In Austin TX
3. Krause Springs
About 45 minutes west in Spicewood, this family-owned Hill Country gem has 32 natural springs feeding both a man-made pool and a natural swimming hole — plus rope swings, a butterfly garden, and shady cypress trees. You can camp overnight if one day isn’t enough. It’s on the National Register of Historic Sites and has been run by the same family for over 50 years.
ENTRANCE FEE: $10 adults (12+), $6 kids 4-11, free for kids under 4
PAYMENT: Cash (bring it with you — it’s the safest bet out here)
RESERVATIONS: None, but it fills to capacity on weekends — call ahead to check
HOURS: 9am-8pm daily424 Krause Springs Rd, Spicewood, TX 78669, krausesprings.net
4. Deep Eddy Pool
The oldest swimming pool in Texas (1915), Deep Eddy is fed by cold well water — not chlorinated — so leave the goggles at home. There’s a lap pool and a big shallow wading pool, plus a grassy lawn made for floating the afternoon away. Grab a treat from the Jim Jim’s Water Ice stand while you’re there.
ENTRANCE FEE: Same City of Austin rates as Barton Springs — residents $2-$5, non-residents $4-$9; free late fall through early spring
PAYMENT: Cash or card on site, or buy online via the ATXSwims app
RESERVATIONS: None
HOURS: Open daily, typically 8am-noon for lap swim and noon-8pm for rec swim401 Deep Eddy Ave, austintexas.gov
5. Barton Creek Greenbelt
The Greenbelt is Austin’s backyard — 12+ miles of limestone creek, trails, and swimming holes winding through the hills just south of downtown. The catch is finding the right entry point. My go-to is the Loop 360 access at 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy; it’s about a 45-minute hike in to the good swimming. Water levels rise and fall with the rain, so it’s best after a wet stretch.
ENTRANCE FEE: Free
RESERVATIONS: None
GOOD TO KNOW: Water can be low to nonexistent during dry spells — check recent rainfall before you make the tripMultiple access points; Loop 360 entrance at 3755-B Capital of Texas Hwy
6. Sculpture Falls
One of the prettiest swimming spots on the Greenbelt, Sculpture Falls is a series of small limestone falls and pools. It’s about a 1.5-mile hike from the Loop 360 access — far enough to thin out the crowds, close enough to be worth it. Like the rest of the Greenbelt, it depends on rain.
ENTRANCE FEE: Free
RESERVATIONS: None
GOOD TO KNOW: Best after recent rain; wear shoes you don’t mind getting wet for the rocky hikeBarton Creek Greenbelt, ~1.5 miles from the Loop 360 access point
7. Hippie Hollow Park
Texas’s only legal clothing-optional park, perched on the rocky shoreline of Lake Travis about 30 minutes from downtown. The views are spectacular and the swimming and sunbathing are the draw — it took me 10 years in Austin and my 30th birthday to work up the nerve, and I’m glad I did. Adults only.
ENTRANCE FEE: Around $8 per person, cash
RESERVATIONS: None
HOURS: 9am-8pm daily
GOOD TO KNOW: 18+ only. No pets, no photography, and rangers close the gate when it hits capacity — arrive early on holiday weekends.7000 Comanche Trail, parks.traviscountytx.gov
8. Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool looks like a movie set — a 50-foot waterfall spilling off a collapsed grotto into an emerald-green pool, about 45 minutes from the city in Dripping Springs. It’s the most dramatic swimming hole on this list, and the most logistics-heavy, so read the rules carefully before you go.
ENTRANCE FEE: Reservation fee ~$12 per vehicle (paid online in advance) PLUS an additional per-person entry fee paid in cash on arrival
PAYMENT: Card online for the reservation; bring cash for the entry fee
RESERVATIONS: Required, per vehicle, booked online ahead of time. One reservation covers up to 8 people and one vehicle. Two daily windows: 9am-12:30pm (you must leave by 1pm) and 2pm-5pm
GOOD TO KNOW: Swimming isn’t guaranteed — it’s sometimes closed due to high bacteria levels or low water, even with a reservation. No pets. There’s a quarter-mile hike over rough terrain to reach the pool.24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620, parks.traviscountytx.gov
9. Jacob’s Well
⚠️ IMPORTANT 2026 UPDATE: Swimming at Jacob’s Well is temporarily closed. Due to ongoing drought and low water levels in the Trinity Aquifer, swimming has been suspended since 2022 and remains closed for the foreseeable future. The good news: the Natural Area is still open for hiking and viewing the well — and it’s free — so it’s absolutely worth a stop if you’re in Wimberley. Just plan to cool off elsewhere (Blue Hole Wimberley, below, is minutes away).
Jacob’s Well is a mesmerizing artesian spring — the headwaters of Cypress Creek and the second-longest underwater cave in Texas. When swimming is permitted, it’s normally open May 1-September 30 by online reservation only, with a fee to swim. For now, come for the trails and the view.
ENTRANCE FEE: Free to park, enter, and hike. (A fee applies to swim only when swimming is permitted.)
RESERVATIONS: Not needed for hiking/viewing. Swim reservations are suspended until further notice.
HOURS: Open daily for day use; Nature Center open weekends 10am-3pm
GOOD TO KNOW: Check the Hays County Parks website for the latest on whether swimming has reopened before you plan a swim trip.1699 Mt Sharp Rd, Wimberley, TX 78676, hayscountytx.gov
10. Blue Hole at Wimberley
If you’re picturing the perfect Texas swimming hole, this is it: jade-green water holding steady around 75°F, ancient cypress trees draped over the banks, rope swings, and a manicured lawn built for a lazy afternoon. It’s about 45 minutes south of Austin and books up fast in summer, so reserve ahead.
ENTRANCE FEE: Around $9 per adult to swim ($5 for Wimberley/Hays County residents)
RESERVATIONS: Required for the swim area during swim season (begins May 1). Trails, playground, and picnic areas are free with no reservation. Season passes open March 1 for residents, April 1 for non-residents
HOURS: Seasonal — check the park site for the current swim schedule
GOOD TO KNOW: You can’t walk up and swim in peak season — book your spot online in advance333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676, wimberleyparksandrec.com
11. Blue Hole in Georgetown
Not to be confused with its Wimberley namesake, Georgetown’s Blue Hole is a free, laid-back lagoon on the South Fork of the San Gabriel River, ringed by limestone bluffs in the middle of town. There’s no fee and no reservation — just show up, wade in, and enjoy. Swim at your own risk (no lifeguards).
ENTRANCE FEE: Free
RESERVATIONS: None
GOOD TO KNOW: It’s a wading/swimming area on a natural river, so conditions vary — and there are no lifeguards on duty100 Blue Hole Park, Georgetown, TX 78626
FAQs: swimming holes in Austin
What’s the best swimming hole in Austin?
Barton Springs Pool is the classic — spring-fed, right in the city, and open year-round. For a Hill Country day trip, Krause Springs and Blue Hole Wimberley are the favorites.
Can you still swim at Jacob’s Well?
No — swimming at Jacob’s Well has been temporarily closed since 2022 due to drought and low water levels, and remains suspended in 2026. The Natural Area is still open (and free) for hiking and viewing. Blue Hole Wimberley nearby is a great place to actually swim.
Which Austin swimming holes are free?
The Barton Creek Greenbelt, Sculpture Falls, and Georgetown’s Blue Hole are all free. Barton Springs and Deep Eddy are also free from late fall through early spring.
Which swimming holes need reservations?
Hamilton Pool Preserve (per vehicle, in advance) and Blue Hole Wimberley (swim area, in season) both require reservations. McKinney Falls strongly recommends a day pass on busy days.
When is swimming season in Austin?
The spring-fed pools like Barton Springs and Deep Eddy are open year-round, but peak swimming season runs roughly May through September. Hill Country spots like Blue Hole Wimberley open for swimming on May 1.
