Beat the heat at Texas most stunning swimming holes
These 12 jaw-dropping natural pools in Texas will keep you cool and inspired all summer long!
Yes, Texas is HOT. But mother nature got your back. And so do we!
Discover in the lines below 12 amazing summer travel destinations to inspire you and keep you fresh during the whole season.
Unbelievably beautiful Texas swimming holes you wouldn’t expect to find so close to Dallas, but that do exist and are out there just waiting for you.
In need of a beach fix? Check our summer special for the best places to bury your feet in the sand in Texas and surrounding states (spoiler alert: yep, Texas has OUTSTANDING beaches as close as 5h45 driving from Dallas!).
Ready to explore startling Texas swimming holes?
Check in the following lines the 12 best natural pools in Texas to visit this summer, pick your faves, and go!
1. Hamilton Pool
Dripping Springs, Texas
Distance: 220 miles/ 3 h 15 min from Dallas
Hamilton Pool is simply stunning and considered by many the most amazing swimming hole in Texas.
The scenery there is mesmerizing, with lush green vegetation, a small beach, and an enclosed swimming hole fed by a cascade and accessible through a short hike. It’s a great place to hang out, have a picnic and cool off in the pristine waters. There are no concessions there (or anywhere near Hamilton Pool), so make sure to bring a picnic.
There is a daily limit of visitors and Hamilton Pool tends to reach full capacity, especially on weekends and holidays. Make online reservations in advance to visit Hamilton Pool here to assure your spot under the sun!
The only downside? Swimming is not always allowed at Hamilton Pool. Bummer. It depends on the water bacteria levels. But visit even if you can’t swim in the day of your reservation – Hamilton Pool sight is surreal, totally worth the drive even without swimming, and you can always head to neighboring Reimer’s Ranch afterwards to cool off at beautiful Pedernales River.
Hamilton Pool is surrounded by other nature wonders and close to Austin. Check in this post the best things to do and see in the Hamilton Pool surroundings (destination # 10) and plan your summer weekend getaway.
2. Jacobs Well
Wimberley, Texas
Distance: 230 miles/ 3 h 20 min from Dallas
Does jumping from a cliff into a unique set of underwater caves covered by emerald waters sounds good?Head to Jacobs Well then, another mind-blowing Texas swimming hole.
One of the most perfect summer travel destinations in Texas, even for the chicken-hearted like me 🙈 (it can be absolutely enjoyed without the kamikaze jump part).
Jacobs Well is a designated Natural Area, nestled in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and home to trails and to the famous swimming hole. Getting to the swimming area requires an easy and pleasant 15-minute nature walk from the parking lot. Reservations are highly recommended, make yours here.
This top-rated Texas swimming hole is surrounded by great places to visit, included charming Wimberley – check here the best things to do near Jacobs Well to plan your trip (destination # 9).
3. Pedernales Falls State Park
Johnson City, Texas
Distance: 235 miles/ 3 h 30 min from Dallas
Pedernales Falls is probably my favorite Texas State Parks to date. This place is gorgeous. And home to crystal-clear Pedernales River, making it an amazing spot to cool off in Texas during summer season.
Swimming is not allowed in the falls for safety reasons. But is in the river, and the scenery there is also beautiful, with emerald waters and sandy beaches along the riverbed.
A destination by itself, Pedernales Falls State Park is a perfect place for camping. But it’s also close to the Hamilton Pool area and you can easily combine a visit to both in a single weekend summer trip from Dallas. Check this post for more info (destination # 10).
It’s always clever to make online reservations before visiting any Texas State Park – nobody wants to drive miles and miles and end up being turned away! Here is the link to make online reservations to Pedernales Falls. Plan your trip and have fun!
4. Krause Springs
Spicewood, Texas
Distance: 225 miles/ 3 h 25 min from Dallas
Krause Springs is a private swimming hole, open to the public, nestled in the Texas Hill Country, near Marble Falls.
It features a small spring feed swimming pool, but the main attraction there is the stunning natural swimming hole, with emerald waters and surrounded by lush green vegetation.
Other attractions in the area include a cave, a canyon, a wildlife refuge, and an off-road adventure park. Check in this post the best things to do near Krause Springs (destination #8) and plan your summer escape from Dallas.
5. Blue Hole Regional Park
Wimberley, Texas
Distance: 230 miles/ 3 h 30 min from Dallas
The Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley is considered one of the best small-town parks in Texas, and for a good reason. It features a crystalline swimming hole, famous for a rope jumping area. It’s a very popular swimming area in Texas during the summer months.
Best part is that you are right at Wimberley, one of the most charming Texas small towns, and just next door from gorgeous Jacobs Well, featured above.
So take advantage of it and check mark two of the most amazing Texas swimming holes in a single weekend trip from Dallas!
Make reservations to visit the Blue Hole Regional Park here and check this post for a complete weekend itinerary including the Blue Hole Regional Park, Jacobs Well and other attractions (destination #9).
6. Barton Springs
Zilker Park, Austin, Texas
Distance: 195 miles/ 2 h 50 min from Dallas
Austin makes a great summer travel destination in Texas, and Barton Springs is one of the reasons behind it.
A huge natural spring-fed pool in the heart of the city, at Zilker Park, Barton Springs is a popular swimming spot in Texas during the summer months.
Barton Springs is right next door to Barton Creek, another beautiful spot to cool off and the perfect place to engage in water activities, such as kayaking as stand-up paddling.
And not far from Congress Bridge, famous for the millions of bats that live under it and fly daily at sunset (March through October) in search of food. It’s a must-see natural spectacle, trust me!
Find here a full weekend itinerary in Austin, with the best things to do in the city, and plan your summer vacation driving from Dallas.
7. McKinney Falls
Austin, Texas
Distance: 205 miles/ 3 h 00 min from Dallas
Beautiful falls, great hiking, and fun swimming. McKinney Falls State Park is another summer destination right in Austin not to be missed.
Only 15 minutes away from Downtown Austin, McKinney Falls features easy to moderate hiking trails, cypress trees and beautiful falls – make sure to visit the upper and lower falls along Onion Creek.
It’s a popular park in the Austin area, so make reservations to visit McKinney Falls in advance. Take advantage of your trip to explore the best of Austin, including Barton Springs and Hippie Hollow, other two amazing Texas swimming holes mentioned along this post.
8. Hippie Hollow
Lake Travis, Austin, Texas
Distance: 195 miles/ 2 h 50 min from Dallas
Only clothing-optional public space in Texas, Hippie Hollow Park is a beautiful and secluded cove in the shores of Lake Travis, and a popular swimming hole in Texas.
It’s right next door to The Oasis at Lake Travis, a must-visit Austin restaurant famous for the cool outdoor area and gorgeous sunsets.
If you prefer to keep your clothes on (or to be sure that others will keep their clothes on, for that matter lol), try nearby Pace Bend Park, with nine miles of shoreline along Lake Travis featuring other gorgeous swimming coves.
9. Devil's Waterhole
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet, Texas
Distance: 214 miles/ 3 h 15 min from Dallas
Inks Lake is a top-rated State Park in Texas, home to famous Devils Waterhole swimming hole.
It’s the perfect summer travel destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers – Devil’s Waterhole features two large pink granite cliffs ideal for cliff jumping.
Other activities at Inks Lake State Park include hiking, fishing, and camping.
Inks Lake State Park is not far from Marble Falls, as well as to other Texas nature beauties such as Longhorn Cavern and the Colorado River Canyon. Check this post for all the best things to do in the Inks Lake State Park surroundings (destination #8)
10. Garner State Park
Concan, Texas
Distance: 360 miles/ 5 h 20 min from Dallas
Tubing gorgeous and crystalline Frio River is a Texan rite of passage and a must-try summer activity in the Lone Star State. The Frio River winds through stunning Garner State Park, one of the highest rated state parks in Texas and a locals’ fave.
Garner State Park is an amazing summer travel destination in Texas. Cooling off in the Frio River cold waters under the Texas excruciating heat feels simply amazing. And paddling down the river, surrounded by limestone walls and beautiful cypress trees is an unforgettable experience.
Other activities at Garner State Park include hiking, fishing, and camping. Reservations are recommended, especially during high season, and can be done online through the Texas State Parks reservation system.
11. Devils River State Natural Area
Distance: 392 miles/ 6 h 20 min from Dallas
Devils River is one of the most pristine and remote rivers in Texas. A jaw-dropping nature hidden-gem in deep southwest Texas, by Del Rio. It’s a wild and off the beaten path river and an outstanding place for swimming, fishing, and paddling (advanced paddlers only).
Accessing the Devils River State Natural Area requires a permit (more info here). Overnight stay is allowed in primitive campsites and requires a special permit as well. There is a strict limit on the number of people daily allowed to visit the area, for preservation purposes, and permits can be requested up to 5 months in advance.
Getting to Devils River requires a bumpy off-road driving and hiking a one-mile trail from the parking lot. Make sure to prepare in advance – check our summer essentials for ideas – and pack lightly.
The famous Caverns of Sonora are on your way from Dallas to Devils River State Natural Area. Take a slight detour to combine both locations in a single trip, for a fun and wow filled summer weekend adventure in Texas.
12. Leakey's Blue Hole
Leakey, Texas
Distance: 340 miles/ 5 h 15 min from Dallas
If you’re looking for a more exclusive experience, head to Riding River Ranch, in Leakey.
This beautiful 3,400-acre private property is home to a pristine spring fed Texas swimming hole, the Blue Hole, open to overnight ranch guests only (no day use allowed).
Rent a cabin there and dive head first on a weekend surrounded by nature and wildlife, with the perk of being able to experience one of the most beautiful and exclusive swimming holes in Texas.
Other activities at Riding River Ranch include fishing, hiking and jeep trails.
Summing Up
Texas is home to breathtaking swimming holes, and they all make extraordinary summer travel destinations from Dallas.
In this post we covered 12 of the most beautiful places to beat the Texas heat and have the summer of your life despite the triple-digit temperatures.
Hamilton Pool, Jacobs Well, Pedernales Falls, Krause Springs, Wimberley’s Blue Hole, Barton Springs, McKinney Falls, Hippie Hollow, Devils Waterhole, Frio River, Devils River and Leakey’s Blue Hole are all outstanding summer travel destinations in Texas, that I highly recommend you checking on and visiting at least once in a lifetime.
I’ve also put together a summer packing list with all travel essentials that can be useful and help you to make the most of these trips, check it out and prepare for your summer adventures!
Have you been to some of these places before? What is your favorite Texas swimming hole?
Leave a comment below to help us showcase the best of Texas and most amazing travel destinations in the Lone Star State.
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Wow! Who knew there were so many beautiful places to swim in Texas! I’ll share these with my Texan friend :)!
Texas is full of surprises! Thank you for sharing 💗
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