SXSW Update: Barton Springs is closed, and all of the Austin municipal pools are also closed. Most of the water parks are closed as well, except for Kalahari, which is open year-round. We are planning a trip to Pace Bend Park on Lake Travis for our swimming adventure.
Barton Spring
The crown jewel of the swimming holes in Austin, Texas is Barton Springs. It’s a chilly 68 degrees year-round, which is “refreshing,” but tolerable on a hot day. It’s a large pool with ample green grass to lounge on. It also has a nice diving board that is very popular. They have swim events during full moons, and it’s open late for those who love to swim laps. They also host events during full moons at times. It’s located in Zilker Park, and parking is no longer free, and it can sometimes be difficult on the weekends.
Emma Long Metropolitan Park (Lake Austin)
Located on the north side of Lake Austin, this is a huge park right on the lake. You can park right next to the river access, and it’s typically not overrun with people. There is a fee per car to get in, and they also offer camping.
The water is not as cold as Commons Ford Ranch since it’s farther downriver, but it’s still a bit on the chilly side. It’s also a great place to launch a kayak.
Deep Eddy Pool
Located just outside of downtown Austin, this is also a spring-fed pool, but more of a traditional-looking pool. It’s the oldest swimming pool in Texas. It has more of a lap-pool vibe than a place to take the kids for horseplay.
Commons Ford Ranch Metropolitan Park
Located in Westlake just off Cuernavaca Drive, it’s a nice grassy park on Lake Austin not too far from the dam release. The water is still a little cold from the dam release, but nothing like at the actual release point. It’s free and can be filled with teenagers at times. It’s also a little too far to drag a kayak from the road.
Barton Creek Greenbelt (Twin Falls & Sculpture Falls)
Barton Creek frequently does not have water, so it’s only a viable swimming option some of the time. It’s one of our favorite spots in Austin because it’s close to home base and offers a massive greenbelt for hiking and mountain bike trails. It’s a bit of a hike to the swimming holes.
City of Austin Public Pools
Bartholomew Pool
Bartholomew Pool is a public outdoor aquatic facility and neighborhood pool operated by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department in Austin, Texas. It serves as a family-friendly destination with multiple pools, slides, and shaded areas.
Big Stacy Pool
Big Stacy Pool is a historic, spring-fed public swimming pool located at 700 E Live Oak Street in Austin, Texas. Operated by the Austin Parks and Recreation Department, it is notable for offering year-round free admission and for its deep roots in the city’s recreation history.
Dick Nichols Pool
Dick Nichols Pool is a city-run outdoor swimming pool in southwest Austin. It serves as a neighborhood gathering spot, offering public swimming in a relaxed, family-oriented setting.
Other Public Pools Around Austin
These are also city-run and worth checking out:
- Canyon Vista Pool
- Dottie Jordan Pool
- Springwoods Pool
- Colony Park Pool
- Ramsey Pool
Hi Roller Water Adventures
Kalahari Resort
This is a large indoor resort water park located just outside Austin in Round Rock. They also have an amusement park, and there is a hotel on-site. Day passes are a little steep at over $100 per day.
Hotel Pools
Many of the nicer hotels in downtown Austin offer day passes for non-hotel guests. Rates start at about $25 per day, but most of the nicer downtown Austin pools run around $50–$75.
You can buy passes at:
https://www.resortpass.com/s/us/tx/austin/hotel-day-passes?search_term=Austin%2C+Texas
Renting a Boat on Lake Travis or Lake Austin
Boat rentals with a captain run about $200 an hour with a 2-hour minimum. Some offer discounts for half-day or full-day rentals. If you want to go tubing or wakeboarding, Lake Travis is usually a better option than Lake Austin.
Typhoon Texas
A decent-sized water park in north Pflugerville just outside Austin. It’s an outdoor park with seasonal hours, but it’s about half the cost of Kalahari, and season passes are available. Click Here for Tickets
Volente Beach Waterpark
Located on Lake Travis in the Texas Hill Country, it’s about an hour drive from downtown Austin. It’s a really cool water park right on the lake, and it’s only $20 per person on weekends and even cheaper on weekdays, with discounts for seniors as well. They typically open May 1.
https://www.volentebeach.com/waterpark
Hippie Hollow
Located on Lake Travis, this is the clothing-optional park. We have never been, but rumor has it that clothing is more frowned upon than optional.
Texas Hill Country Swimming Holes
If you’re up for a bit of a drive, there are some really great swimming holes scattered throughout the Texas Hill Country. Check out our article on our Texas Hill Country website.
- Hamilton Pool Preserve
- Krause Springs
- Blue Hole Regional Park
- Inks Lake
- Cliff Jumping on Lake Travis
Austin Swimming FAQ’s
Can you swim in Lady Bird Lake?
No, it’s against the law, and the water is so polluted that I would never swim in it anyway. I won’t even fish in it.
Is Lake Travis in Austin?
Can you swim at Onion Creek Falls?
I think you officially can swim at Onion Creek Falls, but this place is typically filled with fishermen, and I have never seen anyone swimming there. We also typically go in the wintertime when they stock rainbow trout.
