Beating the heat in Austin: where to cool off in the water this July
Written by: Becca Youngers
The first full month of summer is officially here! After stepping outside, hitting the pool is on our weekly forecast for the foreseeable future. Austin summers can be brutal, but with the right planning, they can be a little more manageable. Here are five of our favorite spots to cool off around the city this July with some added day trip opportunities. Check them out this month!
Barton Springs – Austin
You know it, and you probably love it. Barton Springs is a favorite spot for locals and newcomers alike. With its cool, consistent 68-70 degree temperature and views of downtown, the pool is especially perfect for summer swims. While it gets quite busy on weekends, it’s still a great place to meet up outdoors with friends. If you’re trying to hide from the sun, no worries! They also offer free night swims daily from 9:00 – 10:00 pm. We recommend buying tickets ahead of time on the ATXSwims app for regular admission times. For $5.00, you can’t beat it!
Website: here
Address: 2131 William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Deep Eddy Pool – Austin
Did you know Austin is home to the oldest swimming pool in all of Texas? First opened in 1915, Deep Eddy Pool is a spring-fed pool right in the heart of the city. The pool offers a mix of lap swimming lanes as well as a regular swimming area. Whether you want to get an outside workout in or just lounge around, Deep Eddy has you covered. We’d definitely recommend a trip to Pool Burger and Deep Eddy Cabaret afterwards as they are both within walking distance.
Website: here
Address: 401 Deep Eddy Ave, Austin, TX 78703
Commons Ford Ranch – Austin
Commons Ford is a great “escape from the city” just 30 minutes west of downtown. The ranch has a great mix of nature and swimming right along the Colorado River. Grab some friends, pack a picnic and head out to enjoy the natural beauty the city has to offer. You can make a whole day out of a trip to Commons Ford Ranch or simply stop by after a long day of work!
Website: here
Address: 614 N Commons Ford Rd, Austin, TX 78733
Blue Hole – Wimberley
If you’re looking for a true day trip, we’d have to recommend Blue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley. It’s just about an hour outside of Austin. The main attraction is definitely the swimming, the park contains hiking and biking trails as well as space for relaxing or picnicking. Make sure to plan ahead and schedule swimming reservations during the summer, and enjoy a day out of the city!
Website: here
Address: 333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676
Krause Springs – Spicewood
Another true day trip, Krause Springs has been open since 1955 and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites. It’s been family owned and operated for over 50 years! The area itself has 32 springs on the property to explore. This includes natural and manmade swimming areas as well as a waterfall! If you’re looking for an easy weekend getaway, they also have 24 RV sites available.
Website: here
Address: 424 Co Rd 404, Spicewood, TX 78669
Conclusion
It’s pretty crazy to think about how lucky we are with this much natural beauty next to towering skyscrapers and metropolitan areas. Combined with nearly year-round appropriate swimming temperatures, we all can agree we should be spending more time outdoors with friends and loved ones. These are just a few of our favorite spots in and around the city, but in a place like Austin, the options are truly endless. Happy July from us at Urbanspace. This is your sign to get outdoors and explore!
