Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Swimming · 1 hr 36 min north
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: Downtown Austin, Public domain
#2 · Swimming · 1 hr 17 min northeast
Barton Springs Pool
A three-acre spring-fed pool in Austin's Zilker Park that stays around 68-70 degrees all year. It is home to the endangered Barton Springs salamander.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round
- Admission (free until March 2027)
Heads-up: Closed Thursdays 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for cleaning. No pets. Weekend parking fee March through Labor Day. Entry is cashless or at the Zilker Cafe kiosk during construction.
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Photo: Charles Willgren from Fort Collins, Colorado, United States, CC BY 2.0
#3 · Swimming · 50 min north
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: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#4 · Swimming · 57 min north
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: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt, CC BY-SA 3.0
#5 · State park · 1 hr 20 min north
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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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#6 · State park · 1 hr 33 min northeast
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: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#7 · Lake · 1 hr 38 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: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
#8 · Swimming · 1 hr 38 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: No machine-readable author provided. Benjaminb~commonswiki assumed (based on…, CC BY-SA 2.5
#9 · Lake · 1 hr 45 min north
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: Smcafee87, CC BY-SA 4.0
#10 · Zoo · 2 hr 5 min southeast
Texas State Aquarium
A big aquarium on North Beach in Corpus Christi, with dolphins, sharks and a sea turtle rescue center.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission
Heads-up: Cashless. Wildlife shows included. Sensory-inclusive certified. Pair with the USS Lexington next door.
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Official site
Photo: Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
#11 · Lake · 2 hr 16 min southwest
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
A 1,680-acre lake on the east side of Laredo with a swim area, boating, fishing and hike and mountain bike trails.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Gate open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Hot in summer, go early.
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Official site
Photo: Shawn Hinsey, CC BY 2.0
#12 · Beach · 2 hr 18 min southeast
Mustang Island State Park
More than five miles of Gulf beach between Corpus Christi and Port Aransas for swimming, surfing and fishing, plus a 20-mile bay paddling trail.
- Half day
- Year-round; busiest spring and summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations strongly recommended. Two free beach wheelchairs, ask staff. Restrooms and hot showers near the campground.
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Official site
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
#13 · Town · 2 hr 33 min southeast
Port Aransas
A laid-back beach town on Mustang Island with 18 miles of Gulf beaches, fishing and a passenger ferry to San Jose Island.
- Full day
- Year-round
- Free to visit; beach parking permit
Heads-up: Buy a beach parking permit. You can drive on parts of the beach, all-wheel drive may help. Dogs must be leashed. San Jose Island has no facilities.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#14 · State park · 2 hr 37 min southeast
Goose Island State Park
A bayside park near Rockport home to the Big Tree, one of the largest live oaks in the country, plus a 1,620-foot fishing pier.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; whooping cranes nearby in winter
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Swimming not recommended, shoreline is bulkheads, oyster shell and mud. No license needed to fish from shore or pier.
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Official site
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 3.0
#15 · Family fun · 2 hr 52 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
