Start your Texas water fun adventure

As the weather warms up and swimming season approaches, it’s time to prepare your water fun checklist. Texas boasts an abundance of water resources — from lakes and rivers to the famous Gulf Coast beaches — making it easy to find refreshing spots for a splash, as well as places perfect for swimming all year round.

Located in Austin, Barton Springs Pool covers approximately 1.21 hectares and maintains a constant water temperature of 21°C year-round, making it suitable for swimming in all seasons. As a unique swimming destination, this pool is highly popular locally, attracting up to 800,000 visitors in recent years. Notably, it serves as a habitat for the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, and is therefore designated as a protected area. The pool is closed to the public every Thursday from 9 AM to 7 PM to allow for maintenance and to preserve the environment for both wildlife and visitors.

Located along the Gulf Coast, Galveston Island is home to many beaches and is a must-visit state park for swimming enthusiasts. While exploring these beaches, you can also enjoy free activities such as kayaking, birdwatching, fishing, and hiking. In 2013, it was ranked among the top five “Best Beaches on the Gulf Coast” by Travelchannel.com. In addition, the park encompasses an 8-square-kilometer barrier island ecosystem along the Gulf Coast, allowing visitors to experience coastal habitats. During spring and autumn, migratory birds from the Eastern Hemisphere can often be spotted here.

Galveston Island Beach – Image source: Texas Tourism Bureau, Photo by James Hudson

Located in New Braunfels, the Comal River is one of Texas’ most unique and popular natural water bodies. Bring your inner tube and enjoy the experience of floating here anytime. The river’s water originates from the Edwards Aquifer, flows through Landa Park, then through downtown New Braunfels, where it borders the Schlitterbahn Waterpark, before finally merging with the Guadalupe River. It is also one of the shortest navigable rivers in the United States. With water temperatures around 21°C year-round, it’s a great place to visit during the hot summer — and you can even go for a morning swim in winter.

Located in Toyahvale in western Texas, Balmorhea State Park features the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool. Here, you can not only swim but also enjoy natural scenery, scuba diving, camping, and birdwatching. This historic park, established nearly 80 years ago, offers picnic areas, outdoor sports zones, a playground, and is also home to many endangered fish and wildlife species. Moreover, the park has 34 campsites where visitors can enjoy the outdoors after a day in the water. The park’s pool receives over 690,000 cubic meters of water daily, spans 5,260 square meters, reaches a depth of 7.62 meters, and maintains a year-round temperature of 22–24°C, making it a fantastic water activity destination any time of the year.

Balmorhea State Park Pool – Image source: Texas Tourism Bureau, Photo by Chris Zebo