Blanco State Park
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Blanco State Park
Swimming hole in Blanco, Texas · River
Swim anywhere along a mile of spring-fed Blanco River, with a wading pool at Falls Dam. Entry $5 for ages 13+, kids 12 and under free.
Typical season: Late spring to early autumn for swimming; open daily year-round; rainbow trout stocked in winter.
About Blanco State Park
Blanco State Park packs a full river day into a small footprint. The park covers about 104 acres along a one-mile stretch of the spring-fed Blanco River, right on the south side of the town of Blanco, and TPWD keeps the swimming simple: you can swim anywhere along the river. The best-known spot is Falls Dam, where the river spills over the old stone dam and a shallow wading pool tucked next to it gives small children their own place to splash.
The park still wears the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which built the picnic pavilion, stone walks and stairs to the river, dams, bridges, tables and benches in just eleven months in 1933 and 1934. Between swims you can picnic under the trees, fish for bass, catfish and sunfish — no licence is needed from shore, and headquarters loans rods and reels — or paddle the river in a canoe or kayak. Campers choose from full-hookup and electric sites, or one of seven screened shelters overlooking the water.
Key facts
Highlights
- A one-mile stretch of the spring-fed Blanco River inside a small 104-acre park right in town
- Swim anywhere along the river, with a shallow wading pool next to Falls Dam for small children
- CCC-built stone dams, bridges, picnic tables and pavilion from an 11-month build in 1933-1934
Access & fees
Entry costs $5 per day for everyone 13 and older, children 12 and under are free, and a $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers entry. One rule matters here: TPWD requires you to reserve passes online, or by calling the customer service center, before you visit — do not just turn up. The park is open daily, closes at 10 p.m. except to overnight guests, and sits four blocks south of Blanco’s town square, about an hour from Austin and San Antonio.
Stay safe
- There is no lifeguard on duty — swimming is at your own risk, so supervise children at all times
- Small children should use the shallow wading pool next to Falls Dam rather than the open river
- River levels and flow change with rain upstream — check conditions at headquarters before swimming after wet weather
- Use the CCC stone walks and stairs to reach the water and take care on wet stone around the dams
Map & location
FAQs
How much does Blanco State Park cost?
$5 per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) covers entry for the pass holder and guests.
Do I need a reservation?
Yes. TPWD states that to enter, you must reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit. Campsites and screened shelters can also be reserved.
Where can I swim at Blanco State Park?
Anywhere along the river — the park follows a one-mile stretch of the Blanco River. Small children will enjoy the shallow wading pool next to Falls Dam.
Editorial review & methodology
Every listing is researched from official land-manager sources, including park, county and state pages, and each fact is re-checked against the named source before publication.
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Photo: Blanco State Park58 by M1kmurph1, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Last verified: 30 October 2026.
Safety
- There is no lifeguard on duty — swimming is at your own risk, so supervise children at all times
- Small children should use the shallow wading pool next to Falls Dam rather than the open river
- River levels and flow change with rain upstream — check conditions at headquarters before swimming after wet weather
- Use the CCC stone walks and stairs to reach the water and take care on wet stone around the dams
At a glance
Fee$5/day ages 13+; children 12 and under free
Nearest townBlanco
Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
GPS30.093082, -98.423845
Nearby spots
- Pedernales Falls State Park — 18 mi
- Jacob’s Well — 18 mi
Sources & updates
Last verified: 30 October 2026
Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Researched by: Swim Hole Finder team
Methodology: How we verify listings
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