Best Swimming Holes

Splish, splash! The essential guide to the best swimming holes in Central Texas

There's no better way to beat the summer heat than with a refreshing swim. Dip into our guide to the best swimming holes in Austin and throughout Central Texas.

Barton Springs
No list of swimming holes would be complete without Barton Springs, a refreshing sanctuary in the heart of Austin. The ice-cold, spring-fed pool (68-70 degrees year-round) is the quintessential spot to take a dip. Night owls, visit between 9-10 pm when admission is free and the pool is less crowded (that means more opportunities to jump off the diving board).
2201 Barton Springs Rd., Austin. Closed Thursdays, 9 am-7 pm. $3 adults, $2 ages 12-17, $1 seniors and 11 and under.

Blanco State Park
The spring-fed Blanco River, named by the Spanish for its white limestone banks, has been a cherished destination for generations. In addition to swimming, camping, hiking, and fishing are popular activities at this state park.
101 Park Road 23, Blanco. $4 adults, free for 12 and under.

Blue Hole, Georgetown
The Blue Hole in Georgetown is a bend in the San Gabriel River just minutes away from the city center. A steep cliff overlooks the warm, deep water and long, rocky banks. This is an ideal spot to set up camp for the day or bring an inflatable raft to lounge along the river. Bring sunscreen and an umbrella, as shade is very limited.
West Second and Rock streets, Georgetown. Free.

Blue Hole, Wimberley
The Blue Hole in Wimberley is a swimmer's delight. This shady oasis offers deep water for swimming or jumping off rope swings, as well as a current that's just right for a lazy float. There's also a large lawn area where kids (and adults) can run around and play.
100 Blue Hole Rd., Wimberley. $9 adults, $5 ages 4-12 and 60-plus, free for 3 and under.

Comal River
This spring-fed body of water has a consistent temperature of 70-72 degrees, even in the thick of summer. The New Braunfels favorite boasts activities for the whole family, including kayaking and tubing (rental prices vary). For swimming, we suggest Landa Park.
Landa Park Dr., New Braunfels. Free.

Deep Eddy
Just around the corner from Barton Springs is Deep Eddy, another spring-fed escape that's breathtakingly cold in the dog days of summer. This popular pool is our top pick for kids and boasts a pool for lap swimming, another for wading, lots of grass for lounging, and a hill for a picnic.
401 Deep Eddy Dr., Austin. $3 adults, $2 ages 12-17, $1 seniors and 11 and under.

Guadalupe River State Park
This park is a favorite place to toss in a tube and float. There's also swimming and fishing at this destination, just 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio.
3350 Park Rd. 31, Spring Branch. $7 adults, free for 12 and under.

Hamilton Pool Preserve
Fifty-foot falls of water cascade over a limestone shelf and into the big, blue-green lagoon. This picturesque spot is so desirable that visitors are now required to reserve a time slot from May 15 through September 30. There's a 10-15 minute hike down to the pool, so pack light.
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd., Dripping Springs. $15-$26 per vehicle.

Hippie Hollow
This beach on Lake Travis will force you to leave your inhibitions behind. The only clothing-optional public park in Texas, Hippie Hollow offers 109 acres of beautiful parkland for sunbathing, swimming, and exploring.
7000 Comanche Tr., Austin. $15 per vehicle. 18 and up only.

Jacob's Well
Jacob's Well has some of the clearest and most pristine water around. Like Hamilton Pool, there are admission fees and restricted swimming hours to preserve this popular place. Reserve a two-hour time slot through the Hays County website; only 300 people are allowed per day.
1699 Mount Sharp Rd., Wimberley. $9 adults, $5 ages 5-12, free for 4 and under.

Krause Springs
Head to Spicewood to experience this Hill Country paradise. There are 32 springs and two pools for swimming, as well as one magical butterfly garden for exploring. If a single day in this enchanting place isn't enough, we suggest camping for a night or two.
404 Krause Spring Rd., Spicewood. $7 adults, $5 ages 4-11, free for 3 and under.

McKinney Falls State Park
In Southeast Austin, you'll find this amazing spot, named one of America's top swimming holes. Relax in the shallow areas, or scope out places deep enough for a full dip. There are plenty of trails to wander along and a handful of historical sites to visit too.
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy., Austin. $6 adults, free for 13 and under.

Pace Bend Park
An exceptional 9 miles of shoreline surrounded by Lake Travis. On the west side of the park you can climb limestone cliffs and explore rocky coves. The north and east sides of the park have the most accessible beaches and swimming areas — we suggest Mudd Cove and Gracy Cove, which are designated swimming-only spots.
2201 N. Pace Bend Rd., Spicewood. $10 per vehicle.

San Marcos River
The San Marcos River, with its crystal-clear water, is a top spot for tubing, kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, and fishing. The best part? The water temperature is a consistently cool 72 degrees. Popular places to take a dip include Rio Vista Park, San Marcos City Park, and the San Marcos Springs.
City Park St., San Marcos. Free.

San Pedro Springs Park
Nestled in San Antonio is San Pedro Springs Park, the second oldest park in the United States. There’s a crisp spring-fed pool for splashing around and swimming, plus a tennis court and scenic trails.
2200 N. Flores St., San Antonio. Open through August 14. Free.

Krause Springs has two pools for swimming.

Krause Springs_waterfall and main pool_2013

Photo by Brian P. Barnes

Krause Springs has two pools for swimming.

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New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings