Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Swimming · 41 min west
Hamilton Pool Preserve
A swimming hole under a roughly 50-foot waterfall in a box canyon west of Austin. A short, steep, rocky trail leads down to it.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; swimming only when water tests allow
- Reservation fee per vehicle plus cash entry fee per adult (kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations required every day (morning or afternoon slot). Swimming is often closed for bacteria or falling rock, so call the info line before you go. No pets at all, even in cars. No water or food…
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#2 · State park · 38 min east
Bastrop State Park
A park in the Lost Pines forest with 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps cabins and buildings. You can see the forest regrowing after recent fires.
- Half day
- Year-round; pool open seasonally
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations highly recommended. The seasonal swimming pool needs a separate ticket. All-terrain wheelchair can be reserved by calling the park.
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Official site
Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt, CC BY-SA 3.0
#3 · State park · 52 min west
Pedernales Falls State Park
The Pedernales River tumbles over wide limestone ledges near Johnson City. There are hiking, horse and mountain bike trails, plus a separate swimming and tubing area.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Often fills up, so reserve a day pass. No swimming or wading at the falls themselves. The river can flash flood in minutes, so leave if it rises or turns muddy. Juniper Ridge bike trail is for…
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Photo: Charles Willgren from Fort Collins, Colorado, United States, CC BY 2.0
#4 · Swimming · 53 min west
Blanco State Park
A small park along a mile of the spring-fed Blanco River in the town of Blanco, with swimming, a shallow wading pool for kids and shore fishing.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; swimming best in summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Entrance passes must be reserved ahead. Only canoes, kayaks and electric-motor boats. No license needed to fish from shore.
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Official site
Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Benjaminb~commonswiki assumed (based on…, CC BY-SA 2.5
#5 · Lake · 1 hr 9 min northwest
Inks Lake State Park
A clear blue lake among pink granite outcrops, with swimming, paddling and about 9 miles of trails. Devil's Waterhole is a favorite spot for a swim.
- Half day
- Year-round; swimming best in summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations recommended for day use. No lifeguards. Park store rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. An all-terrain wheelchair can be arranged with the park.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#6 · Swimming · 1 hr 32 min southwest
Guadalupe River State Park
Four miles of Guadalupe River frontage north of San Antonio for swimming, tubing, fishing and canoeing. About 13 miles of hike and bike trails wind through the hills.
- Half day
- Year-round; busy season March-Nov
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations recommended. No glass or foam in the river area. All-terrain wheelchair available. Guided Honey Creek tours (no pets).
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Official site
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 3.0
#7 · Family fun · 2 hr 31 min east
Hermann Park
Houston's big central park with pedal boats on McGovern Lake, a park railroad, carousel, splash pads, the Japanese Garden and McGovern Centennial Gardens.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Free (rides extra)
Heads-up: Park open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; gardens 9 to 6. Dogs on leash except in McWilliams Dog Park. Ride hours change with weather and season. Next to the Houston Zoo.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#8 · State park · 2 hr 43 min southeast
Brazos Bend State Park
Lakes and moss-draped forest where alligators are common, with 37 miles of hiking and biking trails and the George Observatory.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Keep well back from alligators. Pets on a 6-ft leash and must not enter the lakes. The paved 0.5-mile Creekfield Lake Nature Trail is accessible; all-terrain chairs available. Observatory open…
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#9 · Lake · 2 hr 44 min south
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
A brush-country lake near Mathis for swimming, boating, fishing and birding, with a 1930s CCC refectory.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: No lifeguards and no rentals, bring your own boat. Alligators live here. One 400-foot pier is wheelchair accessible. All-terrain wheelchair by email.
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Official site
Photo: John Bonzo, CC BY 3.0
#10 · State park · 2 hr 44 min east
Huntsville State Park
Pine forest park around 210-acre Lake Raven with a swim area, kayak rentals, 21 miles of hiking and biking trails and access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Swim area 10 to 8, no lifeguards. Boats at idle speed only. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is hikers only. Often full, so reserve.
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Official site
Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 · Swimming · 2 hr 47 min west
Garner State Park
A favorite summer park on the Frio River in Uvalde County, with 2.9 miles of river for swimming and tubing and 16 miles of trails.
- Full day
- Year-round; busiest in summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reserve day passes, summer gates can close early. Jukebox dances on summer evenings. Tube and paddle boat rentals. Feral hogs raid unattended coolers.
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Official site
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
#12 · State park · 2 hr 49 min north
Cleburne State Park
Wooded park around spring-fed Cedar Lake with swimming, paddling and a technical 6-mile mountain bike loop among nearly 13 miles of trails.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: No-wake lake, no jet skis. Self-service kayak rentals at Cedar Lodge (card only). Busy in spring and summer, so reserve. ADA-accessible covered fishing pier. Pets on a 6-ft leash, not in swim areas.
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Official site
Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
#13 · Town · 2 hr 52 min north
Granbury
Lake town with a historic square and Lake Granbury, voted USA Today's Best Historic Small Town several times, with festivals all year.
Heads-up: Visit Granbury office at 201 E. Pearl St. Easy to pair with Dinosaur Valley State Park and Fossil Rim.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#14 · State park · 2 hr 53 min north
Cedar Hill State Park
Big park on Joe Pool Lake with a gravel swimming beach, the DORBA mountain bike trail and the historic Penn Farm.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Dirt trails close for weather (all dirt trails were closed in early November 2026), so check trail status. Joe Pool Marina is permanently closed. Park often fills; reserve. Assistive chairs…
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#15 · Family fun · 30 min southwest
Spring Lake Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Glass-bottom boat tours on Spring Lake in San Marcos, a tradition since 1947, run by Texas State University's Meadows Center.
- 1-2 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission (kids 2 and under free)
Heads-up: Tours run daily, first come first served, about 30 minutes. School groups fill boats March-July. Boats don't run in lightning or high wind.
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