South Llano River State Park
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South Llano River State Park
Swimming hole in Junction, Texas · River
Two miles of spring-fed river for swimming and tubing near Junction, plus dark-sky camping. Entry $5 for ages 13+, kids 12 and under free.
Typical season: Late spring to early autumn for swimming; busy season March–October; open daily, office 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
About South Llano River State Park
On the southwestern edge of the Hill Country, five miles south of Junction, the spring-fed South Llano River runs slow and clear through this park — and almost everything here revolves around it. The park holds two miles of river frontage with multiple put-in and take-out points, so a visit can be as simple as wading in for a swim or as unhurried as a tube float between access points. TPWD calls the river great for family water fun, and the park rents tubes if you do not bring your own.
Away from the water, 22.7 miles of trails cross river bottoms, steep ridges and woods, and the park is an International Dark Sky Park, so campers get serious stars after dark. Birdwatchers have recorded more than 250 species here, and from October through March one of Central Texas’s largest turkey roosts settles into the river bottom. With electric, walk-in and primitive campsites, it works as a base camp as easily as a day trip.
Key facts
Highlights
- Two miles of spring-fed, slow-moving river frontage — TPWD calls it great for family water fun
- One of the largest turkey roosts in Central Texas, and more than 250 bird species recorded
- An International Dark Sky Park with 22.7 miles of trails
Access & fees
Entry costs $5 per day for ages 13 and older, children 12 and under free; a $70 Texas State Parks Pass covers entry for a year. The park is open daily (office hours 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Book ahead anyway: the park often reaches capacity, and TPWD recommends reserving day-use and campsite passes to guarantee entry. Two seasonal notes — from October through March the day-use area opens only 10 a.m.–3 p.m. for the turkey roost, and staying out after dark for the stars costs a $5 night activity fee on top of entry.
Stay safe
- TPWD does not publish a lifeguard statement for this park — plan on supervising your own swimmers at all times
- TPWD’s October 2026 alert warns the river has changed course and the water may contain debris and hazards — use caution in the river
- Read TPWD’s Water Safety Tips before you visit, and never swim alone
- If the river starts rising or turning muddy, leave the water immediately — Hill Country river conditions change fast
Map & location
FAQs
How much does South Llano River 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. Campsites cost extra — $10 to $20 per night plus entry.
Can you swim and tube in the South Llano River?
Yes. The river is spring-fed and slow-moving, with two miles of frontage in the park and multiple put-in and take-out points. The park rents tubes, or bring your own.
Do I need a reservation?
Not required — but the park often reaches capacity, and TPWD recommends reserving day-use and campsite passes in advance to guarantee entry.
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.
Each page shows its last-verified date, so you can see how recently the details were checked.
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Photo: “South Llano River at South Llano River SP 2023” by Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sources: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Last verified: 30 October 2026.
Safety
- TPWD does not publish a lifeguard statement for this park — plan on supervising your own swimmers at all times
- TPWD’s October 2026 alert warns the river has changed course and the water may contain debris and hazards — use caution in the river
- Read TPWD’s Water Safety Tips before you visit, and never swim alone
- If the river starts rising or turning muddy, leave the water immediately — Hill Country river conditions change fast
At a glance
Fee$5/day ages 13+; children 12 and under free
Nearest townJunction
Best seasonLate spring to early autumn
GPS30.440583, -99.807447
Nearby spots
- Garner State Park — ≈58 mi
- Devil’s Waterhole (Inks Lake State Park) — ≈88 mi
- Pedernales Falls State Park — ≈93 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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