Beat the heat - go swimming!

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For those of you looking to beat the heat, here's a handy list of Austin-area swimming holes, compiled by our friends at Independence Title. Have fun!

Central Texas Swimming Holes

Camp Ben McCulloch Park • Bought by the United Confederate Veterans in 1904 as a reunion campground, the camp is located 22 miles from Austin near Driftwood. Take TX290 south to FM1826. It’s a beautiful, shaded park, but inconsiderate users have made litter a real problem. Camping is
allowed in unmarked sites along Onion Creek. The Salt Lick Barbecue is across the road from the park entrance.

Blanco State Recreation Area • Small dams make this park a scenic wonderland on the usually shallow Blanco River. It offers camping, picnicking, fishing, restrooms, showers, and paddleboats. It’s an ideal stop on a day trip to the historic area. One mile south of the old Blanco courthouse
on US281. 830/833-4551. Fee.

Hamilton Pool Preserve • One of the most beautiful public parks in the county. Acquired by Travis County in 1985, the site has been a popular spring-fed swimming hole since the early 1900s. The property was once owned by the brother of the 10th governor of Texas and by the Reimer family (see below). The pool is in a box canyon fed by a 45-foot waterfall with a sandy beach and giant boulders. A nature trail follows Hamilton Creek about a mile to the Pedernales River. Open 9am-6pm everyday, no one admitted into the park after 5:30pm (hiking trails are open year-round); admission is limited to 100 people. Water quality is carefully monitored and swimming is not allowed if bacteria count from nesting bird droppings is too high. From TX71 West turn left at Hamilton Pool Rd. (FM3238) and go 13 miles to the park. No glass, fishing, cooking, or pets are allowed in the park. It is best to call ahead before making the trip, 512/264-2740. Fee.

McKinney Falls State Park • If you live in Austin, you should visit this park at least once a year. The park has camping, hiking trails, and summer cabins for rent. From Ben White Boulevard (TX71) east of I-35 take Burleson Road south to McKinney Falls Parkway. Fee.

Pedernales Falls State Park • About 30 miles south of Austin off TX290. Pedernales contains white water over a gradual slope and deep, slow-moving pools at the bottom of the “falls.” Access to the river from the parking lot is a rugged, steep climb. The park offers camping, showers, restrooms, hookups, and hiking trails. 830/868-7304. Fee.

Reimer’s Ranch • Eleven miles from TX71 at 23610 Hamilton Pool Rd. and a mile before you get to Hamilton Pool Preserve. Closed Mon. & Tues., open Wed.-Sun., 7am-dark. Beautiful private park with shallow rapids and deep pools, favored by fishermen. Fee.

Lake Austin • Constant level lake with colder than usual water. The 1,830-acre Lower Colorado River Authority lake flows 20 miles up the Colorado River from Austin and Tom Miller Dam.

Bull Creek District Park • An often overlooked greenbelt, Bull Creek in North Austin is one of the nicest parks outside of the central city area. An alcohol-free park. Access to the creek is from a hike and bike trail that follows much of its winding course. The park is between FM2222 and Spicewood Springs Road along Loop 360, and the main entrance is off FM2222 at the end of Lakewood Drive. Day use.

City Park (Metropolitan Park or Emma Long Park) • Off FM2222 just west of Loop 360. It’s a great place, but crowded every weekend during swimming season. The park features camping, restrooms, cold showers, a playground, hike and bike trails, and boat ramp. Three miles of winding shoreline make it a popular place for fast boats. Fee.

Fritz Hughes Park • Just below Mansfield Dam, take Low Water Crossing Road off FM620 and go left at the “Y” in the road on Fritz Hughes Park Road. Fritz Hughes has a playground and nice picnic area, but not a great swimming area. If you go straight at the “Y” you get to the old low water crossing where the water is usually running pretty swift, and is more popular with fishermen than swimmers. Day use only. Travis County Park.

Mary Quinlan Park • Take FM620 to Quinlan Park Road. Quinlan has a boat ramp, restrooms, and little else. Day use only. Travis County Park.

Percy Pennybacker Bridge (Loop 360 Bridge or Bull Creek Park) • Under the south end of the bridge over the lake. The bridge has a nice boat ramp and dock. Primarily a parking lot for boat trailers, but a great place to go skinny-dipping late at night.

Selma Hughes Park • Take FM620 to Quinlan Park Road below Mansfield Dam. Selma Hughes has restrooms and picnic tables. It’s a small park, but scenic, with a nice, sandy lake bottom and plenty of shade trees. Day use only. Travis County Park.

Westlake Beach • This privately owned park has a shaded picnic area, marina, concession stand, diving platform, playground, showers, and beach and water volleyball. Great place for family reunions or birthday parties. From Tom Miller Dam off Lake Austin Boulevard, take Red Bud Lane to a right on West Lake Drive and follow it around to park. Day use only. Fee. 2509 Westlake Dr. 512/327-9004.

Barton Creek • Barton Creek is part of the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and the most beautiful urban natural area in the U.S. Access points to the creek are at Zilker Park, Loop 360 east of Loop 1, Barton Skyway at Spyglass, Gus Fruth Park on Barton Hills Drive, Camp Craft Road at the end of Westbank Drive, and Loop 1 south of Loop 360. Greenbelt and parks are alcohol-free areas. There are several popular spots on the creek, but these are the most popular.

Barton Springs Pool In Zilker Park • This gorgeous swimming hole is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in Austin. The spring-fed water is a consistent 68 degrees year-round. Showers, restrooms, a snack bar, playground, picnic tables, and canoe rental are available. Fee.

Campbell’s Hole • About a mile upstream from Barton Springs Pool on Barton Creek Greenbelt. Also accessible from Spyglass Road. It’s a wonderful location with a deep pool that has water most of the year and small rapids upstream when the creek is running. It used to give visitors the illusion of being lost in the country, but now the cliffs are capped with condos.

Gus Fruth Park • One of the best parks and swimming holes on the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it has white water around big boulders and deep pools. It’s accessible by a rough, steep climb from Barton Hills Drive or a long walk on the greenbelt hike and bike path.

Twin Falls • Two small waterfalls here empty into a small pool. It’s a better place to people watch than to swim. Accessible from the entrance off the access road Loop 1 just south of Loop 360.

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