Swimming holes by town
Swimming Holes in Austin, Texas
12 natural swimming holes
Looking for water near Austin? The Texas directory holds 12 natural swimming holes in this area. Worth a first look: Barton Springs Pool, plus Hippie Hollow Park nearby. Plan around April-October — that's the best season named in most local listings. Between them they cover 6 creeks, 5 lakes, and 1 spring. Every one sits in Travis County.
Swimming holes in Austin
- Barton Springs Pool
Austin's beloved 68-70 degree spring-fed pool sits in the heart of Zilker Park and draws crowds year-round.
- Hippie Hollow Park
Texas's only legal clothing-optional public park sits on a steep Lake Travis shoreline of limestone terraces.
- McKinney Falls State Park
Onion Creek spills over limestone ledges into two beloved swim pools, the Upper and Lower Falls, minutes from downtown Austin.
- Bob Wentz Park at Windy Point
Lake Travis laps against limestone ledges at this east-side county park, a favorite for sunset swims.
- Campbell's Hole
A deep, spring-fed pool on Barton Creek with a rope swing and limestone walls that make it feel hidden from the city.
- Commons Ford Ranch Park
A former ranch on Lake Austin with a quiet shoreline that locals use for swimming and launching kayaks.
- Emma Long Metropolitan Park
City Park's swim beach on Lake Austin offers sandy shoreline swimming minutes from downtown.
- Gus Fruh
A quiet Barton Creek access point where the water pools deep beneath limestone bluffs.
- Mansfield Dam Park
Mansfield Dam Park has a deep, clear cove on Lake Travis where scuba divers train and swimmers cool off.
- Sculpture Falls
A local legend at the end of a rugged Barton Creek hike, where the creek pours over sculpted limestone into a deep emerald pool.
- St. Edward's Park
Bull Creek carves a chain of small waterfalls and swim pools through this north Austin park.
- Twin Falls
Two side-by-side cascades drop into a wide swimming pool on Barton Creek, reached by a shadeless 3.5-mile round-trip hike.
Frequently asked questions
How many swimming holes are in Austin, TX?
Our directory lists 12 natural swimming holes in and around Austin, Texas, across Travis County. New spots are added as they're verified.
What kinds of swimming holes are in Austin?
The 12 listings cover 6 creeks, 5 lakes, 1 spring. See each listing for details on access and conditions.
Which swimming hole near Austin should I try first?
Barton Springs Pool is a well-documented local listing. Austin's beloved 68-70 degree spring-fed pool sits in the heart of Zilker Park and draws crowds year-round. Full details, maps, and safety notes are on its page.
When is the best time to swim near Austin?
Local listings most often name April-October as the best season. Spring runoff can make rivers and creeks dangerously high — check local conditions before you go.