Top Places to Take a Splash Summertime Fun In + Around Austin

Never leave the hotel and cool down in a Lone Star-adorned splash pool as you snack on small bites at Archer Hotel Austin. Hanging by the pool is one of the most relaxing things to do in Austin.

Just 13 miles from the state capitol, you can camp, hike, mountain or road bike, geochache, go bouldering and picnic surrounded by rugged beauty. In this state park near Austin, Onion Creek and Williamson Creek are great choices for swimming and fishing. A group hall with kitchen is available to rent for up to 75 people.

A man-made pool supplied by a natural spring caters to adults and kids alike. In the morning, active patrons swim laps before the day begins. Come afternoon, the pool is full of kids soaking up the summer sun.

Austin is home to several greenbelts (a term used in urban planning that means it’s off-limits to development), but the most loved is Barton Creek. “The Greenbelt,” as locals know it, is home to plunging hillsides with hidden pools and creeks that beckon swimmers and explorers. The limestone cliffs typically keep the waters serene and clear.

This 70-degree watering hole, a 3-acre pool entirely fed by natural underground springs, is ideal for year-round swimming and perfect for family activities during the sweltering summer.
 

Have a hankering for even more fun things to do in Austin? Just a short drive away are gorgeous spots to explore:

• Hamilton Pool Preserve — Gorgeous and iconic, a natural pool with a 50-foot waterfall, collapsed grotto, canyon and a steep, rugged hiking trail that leads to the pool. (Reservations for swimming for a maximum of eight people are required).
• Krause Springs — With 32 natural springs, an awe-inspiring swimming pool, a picturesque waterfall and plenty of opportunities for camping and hiking; listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites.
• Comal River — A fun day of floating — head to the nearest river outfitter for a tube, then journey downstream in the refreshing 72-degree river.