Devils Water Hole
Burnet, Texas
8.8 miles W of Burnet, TexasDevil's Waterhole is a canyon swimming hole located in Inks Lake State Park. This beautiful reservoir is a part of the Colorado River and takes a hike to find, but once you arrive the beauty will be well worth it. Devil's Waterhole is surrounded beautiful rock formations and woods where hiking trails are available and diving spots can be found. The water is calm, deep and cool the perfect place to bring your floaties and enjoy a relaxing day on the water.
Because of the rocky terrain swim shoes are recommended to protect feet from injury. No lifeguards are posted at this swimming hole, so swimming and diving are at your own risk. It is recommended to swim in groups and only dive with experience in areas with deeper water. Parking is available in several places throughout the park, but the nearest parking lot fills up quickly. The earlier you arrive the easier it will be to find a spot.
Inks Lake State Park is open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily and costs $6.00 for a day pass (children 12 and under enter for free). The day pass includes other areas and activities at Inks Lake State Park as well as the cost for parking. Reservations are required for Devil's Waterhole and can be made on the state park website or by calling their costumer service center.
Zilker Park
Austin, Texas
1.8 miles W of Austin, TexasJohn Stokes Rope Swing
San Marcos, Texas
1.0 miles SE of San Marcos, TexasThis is a great place to cool off in the San Marcos River and you can get in some showing off time while you're at it. Just off Thompson Island, there's an ideal tree for a rope swing. It's got a great plank ladder so you can climb it as high as you like. The rope is strong and long enough to give you a good whip as you swing out over the river.
Barton Springs Pool
Austin, Texas
1.6 miles W of Austin, TexasWithin 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 70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming. Over the years, Barton Springs Pool has drawn people from all walks of life, from legislators who have concocted state laws there to free-spirited, topless sunbathers who turned heads in the 1970s. Robert Redford learned to swim at the pool when he was five years old while visiting family in Austin.
Admission Fees are charged May 1, 2017 – September 30, 2017 but there are times that you can swim free. See AustinTexas.gov for pricing and schedule.