Best Texas Swimming Holes on Austinot Podcast Ep. 11

May 18, 2012 by · 16 Comments

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Deep Eddy swimming hole on Town Lake in Austin

Deep Eddy

Click the Play button on the podcast player above to listen to this week’s episode of the Austinot Podcast!

When those scorching Summer days start hitting, a cool Texas swimming hole can be the best relief.

The Austinot has scoured the area for the best swimming holes in and around the Austin. Here’s the list we came up with:

  • Deep Eddy – Located at Town Lake, this swimming hole suits kids, lap swimmers and everyone in between. Not only that, but it’s billed the oldest swimming hole in Texas and has been around for over 100 years! Though parking can be a challenge, we encourage you to be a part of history by checking out Deep Eddy.
  • Hamilton Pool is located southwest of Austin

    Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve

    Barton Springs – Everyone knows about Barton Springs, for good reason! Located in the heart of Austin, Barton Springs is well-maintained with plenty of grass to lay out on. Pets, coolers, food and alcohol aren’t permitted.

  • Hamilton Pool – (Click the link to the left to see more photos of Hamilton Pool and hear a podcast  that talks about it.) Even though you have to drive 30 miles Southwest of Austin to get to Hamilton Pool, it’s one of our favorite swimming spots. With a waterfall, picturesque rocky overhang, clean beach and aquamarine-colored water, Hamilton Pool is stunningly beautiful. Who knew a spot like this could be so close to Austin?
  • Jacob’s Well – Take a drive to Wimberley, TX to experience a unique swimming hole that happens to be connected to one of the longest underwater caves in Texas. This spot is free (for now) and only 25 swimmers are allowed in the water at a time. Complete with a delightful rope swing, Jacob’s Well is worth visiting.
  • Blue Hole swimming hole in Wimberley, TX

    Blue Hole

    Blue Hole – Also in Wimberley, the Blue Hole swimming hole is celebrating a grand re-opening this weekend. The site is now home to soccer fields, a playground, a volleyball court and more, but they’re kept out of site of the swimming hole.

If you have tips for how to make a successful trip to any of these locations, please share with us and our readers. And make sure you invite us to come with you if you decide to go swimming this Summer!

 

@QuasiBrit asks:

What swimming holes would you add?

***

We always have unique content on the Austinot, and we love to give things away. You know, like CDs, event tickets and other cool stuff. We only send out our Best of the Austinot newsletter 2 times a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and where we give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of the Austinot here!

 

Photos courtesy of sselhcuo, Zen Nomad, Youens and Micheal Cote.

Filed Under: Activities, Austinot Podcast, Day Trips, Discoveries, Podcasts · Tagged: , , , , , ,
  • Trina_tarina

    Don’t know if it’s still there, but there used to be a great swimming hole at Cristoval near San Angelo.

    • http://www.facebook.com/eric.highland Eric Highland

      Thanks for the tip Trina! What makes this place of yours memorable for you?

  • Robert

    Here is a link to our top picks in the Hill Country.  
    http://hillcountryoutdoorguide.com/activity/swimming-holes/

  • Pingback: 7 Ways to Make the Most of Austin on Austinot Podcast, Ep. 12

  • Pingback: Guest Blog: My Top 5 Favorite Parks in Austin

  • http://www.engineperformancechip.com/ sam carson

    This Blue hole and Hamilton Pool looks really great. I can try to visit here if I will have a chance. 

    • http://www.facebook.com/eric.highland Eric Highland

      We are gonna try and hit Blue Hole next weekend @samycary:disqus - but definitely let us know if you visit, we’d love to hear your take on the spot too.

  • Pingback: Top 3 Father's Day Events in Austin

  • Pingback: 7 Must See Austin, TX Topics for Your Weekend

  • Scott D

    Krause Springs!

    • http://www.austinot.com/ Brittany Highland

      Great tip, @largomason:disqus! We didn’t make it out to Krause Springs last season, but it’s definitely high on our list for this year!

      • Scott D

        Definitely check it out for a follow up or daytrip article @knektion:disqus. Just a tiny bit further out from Hamilton Pool, but very nice- Plenty of campgrounds, pic-a-nic areas, a natural springs waterfall with a grotto behind it. Even a man-made pool for people who don’t want so much nature in their nature. Always used to go there when I was a kid.

  • wmctxs

    Any where on the Upper Lupe. The best, the lake on top of San Marcos Springs, behind the Ice House, is off limits to us!!! It shouldn’t be!!!

    • http://www.austinot.com/ Brittany Highland

      @b1c61019d8c99eb163e05a67b6ec156f:disqus, what is the story with the lake on top of San Marcos Springs? Did it used to be open to the public? I want to know more!

      • Curt

        The lake on top of the San Marcos springs is actually the headwaters of the San Marcos river. The site used to be owned by Aquarena Springs, but since the 90′s it’s been controlled by Texas State University. It’s a pretty ecologically sensitive area, so they don’t let anyone swim there. It’s for the better I suppose, but man… it would be AWESOME to swim there. Scuba divers from the university seem to have access though…

        Barton Springs might have some serious mojo, but so do the headwaters of the San Marcos River! It’s literally been a destination point since the dawn of man.

        • http://www.austinot.com/ Brittany Highland

          Really appreciate the insight, @ece3b4378600e13e29468fc3019f5e1d:disqus. Thanks for stopping by!