Greening Austin Daily

My Five Favorite Pools in Austin

26th April, 2010 - Posted by carsi - No Comments

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The weather is creeping up into the high 80′s this week with lots of sunshine, and I think we’re finally done with the cold weather! I am a big fan of summertime in Austin, as I’m sure many of you are, and I am looking forward to the hot days ahead. Of course, the blistering heat is more enjoyable if a body of water is nearby, and lounging by a natural pool or a spring is much greener than sitting in an air-conditioned house. So, I thought it’d be a good idea to make a little list of my favorite cool-off spots.

1. Barton Springs: Such a classic. For $3, you’ll get access to three acres of cold and refreshing water and some exceptional people-watching. This place is a local favorite, so everyone from toddlers in floaties to college kids to hippies with drums and hacky sacks come out to enjoy the cold water. I’ve seen the tattooed lizard man there once or twice, an occasional topless lady, and Leslie. A few of my friends have  even spotted celebs.
2. The Greenbelt: There are a couple of locations along the Greenbelt where you can sunbathe and swim for free with a lot of fellow Austinites. I’ve only been a few times and need to do some more exploring, but I can tell you that my experiences have been thoroughly enjoyable. Lounging by the water, petting people’s dogs, and laying down on the rocks while the water rushes past were all highlights of my most recent trip. The entrance was a little hard to find, and it takes a bit of a hike to get there, but it’s worth it. Make sure to get directions to a lesser known entrance from a friend, and be sure to check that the water is flowing because it tends to dry up in the summer months.
3. Krause Springs: If you’re wanting to get away from the city, this privately owned watering hole is a beautiful place to go. It’s in Spicewood, so it’s a bit of a drive and there’s a $5 entrance fee, but the waterfall and lush scenery are so worth the trip. Some other attractions include a rope swing and a camping area which I have not tried out but they both seem awesome.
4. Hamilton Pool: This is a very scenic natural pool with a waterfall, a grotto, and a pebbly beachy area for lounging. It’s also a half hour drive from Austin and is $8 per car. Make sure to get there early because once the parking lot fills up, they won’t let anyone in until someone leaves.
5. Deep Eddy: Located off of Lake Austin Boulevard, this pool is more of a typical neighborhood swimming pool, with lap lanes and a kid’s area, but it is spring fed and ice cold. I like that there are lap lanes for the times when I want to get some exercise, and there are plenty of trees to provide shade. This pool is family-friendly with lots of kiddoes running around, so keep that in mind when choosing where to go.

Let me know in the comments if I didn’t mention your favorite!