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Start in Austin, where the water is cold, clear and close at hand, then let the route loosen out into the Hill Country: a Wimberley pair, a family-run spring in Spicewood, a granite cove near Burnet, a river beach near Johnson City and, finally, the Frio River at Concan. Every stop below is a verified listing on this site, so the fee, town and water type are the ones you will find on its own page.
10 stops · Texas · flexible schedule
The route logic is simple: begin with the Austin cluster, where several very different swims sit within a short drive, then head to Wimberley, on to Spicewood, north to Burnet, back south-east to Johnson City and west to Concan, with Balmorhea, far to the west, as the far-west finale.
When to go
Go from late spring to early autumn for the warmest, most reliable swimming. Spring-fed water stays cold year-round, so ease in rather than diving straight in. Reserve Hamilton Pool, Blue Hole and Garner State Park ahead — all three can fill or require a booking in season.
Safety first
- There are no lifeguards almost everywhere on this route — swim at your own risk and supervise children closely.
- Flash floods are a real danger on the Pedernales River: if the water starts rising, leave the river at once.
- Swimming at Jacob’s Well is currently cancelled until further notice because of low water levels — visit to look, not to swim.
Pack list
- Water shoes with grip for limestone, granite and rocky creek beds.
- A sun layer for exposed lawns, river beaches and long walks back to the car.
- Cash for Hamilton Pool’s cash-only gate.
- A trash bag — pack out everything you bring in.
The stops
Stop 1
Near Dripping Springs, a 50-foot waterfall pours into a jade-green pool under a collapsed limestone grotto. Reservations are required every day of the year, and entry is $8 per adult, cash only at the preserve.
Stop 2
In Austin, a three-acre spring-fed pool inside Zilker Park holds 68–70°F water all year. Entry is $5–$9 per adult during guarded hours from March to October.
Stop 3
Also in Austin, two limestone waterfalls on Onion Creek — the Upper and Lower Falls — with pools below each. Entry is $6 per day for ages 13 and older.
Stop 4
In Wimberley, spring-fed Cypress Creek runs jade-green under towering bald cypress trees, with rope swings over the deep swimming hole. The park is free; a half-day swim pass is $15 for adults.
Stop 5
Also in Wimberley, this crystal-clear artesian spring is the headwaters of Cypress Creek. General entry is free, but swimming is currently cancelled until further notice because of low water levels.
Stop 6
In Spicewood, 32 natural springs feed pools across a 115-acre property run by the same family since 1955. Day entry is $11 for adults, and pets are not allowed on the property.
Stop 7
Near Burnet, at Inks Lake State Park, a deep, clear cove is walled by pink granite and fed by a constant-level lake. Entry is $7 per day for ages 13 and older.
Stop 8
Near Johnson City, the Pedernales River sheets over broad limestone terraces, with a designated swimming area downstream of the falls. Entry is $6 per day for ages 13 and older, and swimming at the falls themselves is prohibited.
Stop 9
In Concan, 2.9 miles of the cool, clear, spring-fed Frio River run through the park. Entry is $8 per day for ages 13 and older, and reservations are strongly recommended in summer.
Stop 10 · Far-west finale
Near Balmorhea, the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool covers 1.3 acres and holds 72–76°F water year-round. Entry is $7 per day for ages 13 and older, and reservations are strongly recommended.
