Texas has hot summers that typically last longer than many other states. In fact, here in San Antonio it stays hot until the end of October. This means we get the opportunity to take advantage of the many swimming holes, lakes, and natural springs in Texas. Dive into these amazing natural springs in Texas for a splashing good time.
12 Amazing Texas Springs
Jacobs Well
This spring in Texas is one of the best known and is a beautiful spring. Jacob’s Well Natural Area is located near Austin. It is a little over 81 acres and is the second largest fully submerged cave in Texas. The water here is cool, clear and stays a constant 68°F. The source of this water comes from the Trinity Aquifer, which makes its way from the extensive underground cave system.
Jacob’s Well does get busy during the summer months. The swimming hole is only open during summer months for swimming. Get there early and get a reservation. This is required to swim. You can make reservations here.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool is located about an hour and a half north of San Antonio. It is one of the coolest Texas springs around with its 40 foot waterfall. Hamilton Pool is known as a collapsed grotto. It basically looks like a meteor hit the side of a hill and left behind a giant cave that filled with water.
According to Travis County Parks, throughout the preserve there is quite the myriad of trees, vines, ferns, and herbaceous plants. The diversity of plant life here can be categorized within 100 plant families, and this includes 486 species of plants. Canyon mock orange is one rare plant found at Hamilton Pool.
You are REQUIRED to make reservations in advance, which can be done here.
Balmorhea State Park
Balmorhea State Park is located in West Texas and is still a hidden gem. Balmorhea State Park’s 1.3-acre freshwater pool is fed by the San Solomon Springs. A steady flow of water that remains constantly in the low 70s creates a true desert oasis.
At this spring in Texas you can dive into the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. This is one of the only locations on our list that also allows snorkeling and scuba diving in their waters. If you want to participate in these activities, you must bring your own equipment and have the necessary permits.
Swimmers must pay the park entrance fee, but no reservations are required. While you are here, enjoy camping, taking in the local wildlife, geocaching, and more!
Spicewood Springs at Colorado Bend State Park
At Colorado Bend State Park you can enjoy the beauty of Gorman Falls, camp, fish, or cool off in the Spicewood Springs. Forman Fall is a self-guided tour of a 70 foot spring-fed waterfall. It is definitely worth the hike if you decide to go.
Hiking is required to get to Spicewood Springs. It is about a 3.8 mile loop trail that is moderately challenging. Just take a snack and make a day of it while you cool off in this beautiful spring in Texas.
Blue Hole Regional Park
Save yourself from getting beaten by the Texas sun with jumping in this Texas spring with plenty of shade from the trees. Blue Hole is close to Jacob’s Well and is a 126-acre city-owned park. The park has trails, picnic areas, volleyball courts, and more.
Swimming is open daily during the summer. This is another San Antonio swimming hole that you must make a reservation. You can make reservations here.
Big Bend National Park Hot Springs
Hot spring water is considered old water, fossil water, ancient and irreplaceable. Big Bend National Park Hot Springs is heated by geothermal processes and emerging at 105° F. The therapeutic value of heat has long been touted as a remedy for both body and soul.
Once upon a time there was a bathhouse here. J.O. Langford’s impressive bathhouse is long gone; today the spring is contained by the foundation remains of the bathhouse, on the north bank of the Rio Grande. Relish a primitive bathing experience while enjoying unparalleled scenery.
When the Rio Grande floods, muddy water flows over the spring, often submerging it. Once the flood has receded, the spring may be covered in rocks, mud or debris. This will require some digging to form a suitable space for bathing.
Barton Springs Pool
Within Zilker Park’s 358 acres lies one of the crown jewels of Austin – Barton Springs Pool. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming.
Depths of the pool range from 0’ to 18′ with surrounding grassy areas for patrons to lounge upon. Adjacent to the pool bathhouse is Splash!, an educational exhibit where patrons can learn about the history and biology of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer which feeds it.
Enjoy them from the shady, picturesque grassy slopes or from the rocks at the pool’s southern edge, where you can spot rare salamanders. Daily and Season passes can be purchased online or there.
Comal Springs
The Comal Springs are found in Landa Park in New Braunfels Texas. While the Comal River may be the shortest in Texas, it ranks as one of the largest spring systems in the Southwestern U.S, fed by 7 major springs and hundreds of minor ones.
The park’s 51 acres of green space include plants and groves of trees that support a great variety of birds, from yellow crowned night herons to red-shouldered hawks. The waters of the springs are home to several endangered species including the Fountain Darter.
Most of Landa Lake is off-limits for swimming and wading because endangered species are present. Wading is allowed in this spring-fed channel and the public swimming section at Landa Lake Park.
Krause Springs
Krause Springs is a well-known camping and swimming site located in the Hill Country of Texas in Spicewood Texas. It is approximately 30 miles west of Austin Texas.
Krause Springs has many natural sites to explore. There are 32 springs on the property and several feed the manmade pool and the natural pool which flows into Lake Travis. Gates open around 9am and close promptly at 8pm. It is open during the summer for swimming.
Boykin Springs Recreation Area
Boykin Springs is a rocky spring in Zavalla. Camping is the most popular activity here with both campsites and cabins, but it does still offer some fun in the water. There are a variety of swimming spots, one that features a sandy beach, perfect for enjoying a water day with family.
In addition to the spring, there are many hiking trails and a historic sawmill that you can visit on your hike. The area is mostly level, so the hiking trails are fairly easy for the inexperienced hiker. The trail also features a beautiful waterfall that you can enjoy when you visit.
Chianti Hot Springs
Chianti Hot Springs is in Ruidosa, Texas. It has been a refreshing oasis for travelers to the Chihuahuan desert for years. Chinati Hot Springs has a source of 113 degrees. Chinati boasts an outdoor hot springs pool and a public outdoor hot spring tub. The temperature of the outdoor hot springs pool ranges from 85 to 95. The outdoor hot springs public tub has a temperature between 90 – 102 degrees.
For campers and the few cabins that contain only a toilet, a community bathhouse is available. Clothing is optional in the private tubs. Bathing suits are required in public areas. The mineral water is 100 % pure. No chemicals are used to treat the geothermal water.
Hancock Springs Pool
Hancock Springs Pool is a bit of Lampasas history, constructed in the very early 1900s, and a summertime recreation spot for every kid that grew up here since that time. It is fed by a large spring and this keeps the water at a constant cool 69 degrees year round. Hancock Pool is open Thursday to Sunday during pool season.
