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Cool for the summer | Swimming spots to check out in the Austin area

From state parks to protected preserves, there are plenty of swimming holes around Austin to help you stay cool this summer.

AUSTIN -- With ninety-degree temperatures officially rolling into Austin, thousands of people are already heading out to places like the Greenbelt and Barton Springs Pool to cool off, but what many of them might not know is that there are dozens of other swimming holes within an hour of Austin city limits.

If you're looking for a more natural setting -- heck, there's even a place for you to legally swim in the nude in Austin -- there are plenty of other options to check out this summer.

Sometimes, you do the Austin things. @bartonspringspool is such a wonderful place to cool off and relax, especially in 90+ degree weather. #poolparty #summer #lounging #austin #texas

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Barton Springs Pool

Details: One of Austin's crown gems, Barton Springs Pool is fed by underground springs. At a constant 68 to 70 degrees, it's perfect for year-round swimming. It includes a diving board, public bathhouse and two entrances. Note: Topless sunbathing is allowed.

Price: $0 (children under 1) to $8

Location: 2201 Barton Springs Road, Austin, Texas

Seeing #blueholegeorgetown one more time before I leave f#GeorgetownTx.

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Blue Hole Park (Georgetown)

Details: Described by the City of Georgetown as a scenic lagoon surrounded by limestone bluffs, Blue Hole Park is located just blocks from downtown. It includes trails, picnic areas, restrooms, fishing and swimming. Georgetown does not monitor water flow or bacteria levels, so swimming is at your own risk.

Price: Free

Location: 100 Blue Hole Park, Georgetown, Texas

Another cool thing about #Austin: The #BlueHoleLagoon. It’s less than an hour from downtown and a great way to beat the #Texas heat. 📷: @chloe_bh

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Blue Hole Regional Park (Wimberley)

Details: Saved by the City of Wimberley from the threat of residential development, Blue Hole Regional Park features miles of trails, picnic areas, sports courts and swimming by reservation.

Price: $0 (children 3 and under) to $10. Seasonal passes available.

Location: 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, Texas

To make swimming reservations, click here.

Bull Creek comes alive with bright fall colors in November.

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Bull Creek

Details: Bull Creek flows right under Capital of Texas Highway, featuring multiple access points and parks, waterfalls, swimming holes, hiking trails and more.

Price: Free

Location: Bull Creek District Park is located 6701 Lakewood Drive in Austin, but various access points can be found along Capital of Texas Highway. See the map above for more details.

What a fun day at the pool, said everyone at the pool. #deepeddypool #austin

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Deep Eddy Pool

Details: Dubbed the state's oldest swimming pool, Deep Eddy Pool is a great option for families or locals who like to swim laps. Plus, its a piece of Texas history!

Price: $0 (children 1 and under) to $8

Location: 401 Deep Eddy Drive, Austin, Texas

Hiking the #greenbelt and chasing #waterfalls 🌸🌸🌸 . . . . . #twinfalls #sculpturefalls #wanderess #iamatraveler #wanderlust #thewanderesswriter #exploretheglobe #lpinstastory #travelbloggerlife #lppostcards #eatsleeptravelrepeat #lppathfinders #yourshotphotographer #nature_brilliance #artofvisuals #natureaddict #naturediversity #ourplanetdaily #instanaturelover #nature_perfection #landscape_captures #natureaddict #awesomeearth #allnatureshots #instanaturelover #austintx #atxlife #exploreaustin

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Barton Creek Greenbelt

Details: One of Austin's hottest locations in the summer, the expansive Barton Creek Greenbelt is filled with natural places to swim, including Sculpture Falls, Twin Falls, Cambell's Hole and Lost Creek.

Price: Free

Location: The Greenbelt is a big place with varying points of access and water levels. To find out how to get to where you're going, click here. And to check water levels, click here.

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Only a couple more months till the big move! #texashereicome #HamiltonPool #Texas #austintexas #godisawesome #godisanartist

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Hamilton Pool Preserve

Details: Hamilton Pool has become such a popular destination that Travis County Parks now requires reservations to help protect the preserve.

Price: $11 reservation fee, $15 per vehicle

Location: 24300 Hamilton Pool Road, Dripping Springs, Texas

Click here to learn more about reservations.

RELATED:

Travis County Parks to implement new photo ID policy to combat Hamilton Pool Preserve scalpers

Those swimming lessons really have paid for themselves #roadtripping #thatshowthecondorflies #jacobswell #wimberley #texascooldown

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Jacob's Well

Details: Open year-round for exploration, Jacob's Well is an artesian spring fed by the Trinity aquifer. With a constant temperature of 68 degrees, Jacob's Well is also known for its dangerous cave system that is open to exploration only to permitted cave diving research professionals. However, regular seasonal swimming is open to all with reservations.

Price: $0 (children 4 and under) to $9. Entrance to Jacob's Well Natural Area is free.

Location: 1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, Texas

To make a reservation, click here.

#krausesprings 🦋🍃💧🌿✌🏼

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Krause Springs

Details: Krause Springs is a well-known camping and swimming site in Spicewood, Texas. The 115-acre property is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites. There are a total of 32 springs on the property, several of which feed the manmade pool and natural pool that flows into Lake Travis.

Price: $0 (children 4 and under) to $8

Location: 404 Krause Springs Road, Spicewood, Texas

#laketravis #friends #vacation #fitness #nopainnogain #fun

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Lake Travis

Details: Whether it's boating, swimming, or naked sunbathing, Lake Travis has you covered. With many parks to choose from -- Bob Wentz Park, Mansfield Dam Park, Tom Hughes Park, the clothing-optional Hippie Hollow Park -- there are plenty of natural areas to explore.

Price: Prices range per park. Click here for more information.

Location: Northwest Austin

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McKinney Falls State Park

Details: Known for its many falls, camping grounds, hike-and-bike trails, fishing sites and pools, McKinney Falls is one of the most popular parks in the area.

Price: $0 (children 12 and under) to $6.

Location: 5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, Texas

@catrcardenas caught these Texans making a splash at Pace Bend Park near Austin as temps start to climb with summer approaching. Thanks for tagging #igtexas Cat! Selected by guest host @cc_txn #texas #pacebendpark #itsbetteroutside

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Pace Bend Park

Details: Located in the western reach of Travis County, Pace Bend Park includes more than 9 miles of shoreline along scenic Lake Travis. It features scenic cliffs, rocky coves and impressive views. It's got camping, boating, swimming, hiking and more.

Price: Click here for pricing information.

Location: 2805 Pace Bend Road North, Spicewood, Texas

Texas had one of their best spring seasons this year - perfect for a little camping in the Hill Country! #pedernales #austin #landscapephotography #sonyalpha #earthoutdoors #wearetravelgirls #liveauthentic #sheisnotlost #exploreshareinspire

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Pedernales Falls State Park

Details: At Pedernales Falls State Park, you can swim, hike, camp, mountain bike, ride horses, fish and more. For your safety, they do not allow swimming or wading in the area of the actual Pedernales Falls.

Price: $0 (children 12 and under) to $6

Location: 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, Texas

Peaceful morning (Once you find parking🤪) down by the falls at St. Edward’s Park in Austin,Texas. #following_thelight • Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27 • Canon T3i-ISO 100-24mm-f/7.1-3.2 sec

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St. Edwards Park

Details: The lesser-known St. Edwards Park is great for trail runners, hikers and dog owners with swimming areas and waterfalls throughout.

Price: Free

Location: 7301 Spicewood Springs Road, Austin, Texas

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