5 Best Places to Cool Off Near Dripping Springs, Texas
When it’s over 100 degrees in Dripping Springs, there’s really only one question that matters: Where can I get in the water?
One of the reasons I originally moved to Dripping Springs was the access to the outdoors. Reimers Ranch was a huge part of that decision. I climbed all the time and wanted to live close to a place I could race to after work.
Dripping Springs has changed a lot since then. We used to jump into the back of a pickup truck and wait for our turn to swim at Hamilton Pool. Reimers Ranch was still owned by Mr. Reimers, who would often meet you at his house to collect admission, and the road into the park was long and unpaved.
But one thing hasn’t changed: we still have some pretty incredible places nearby to get outside—and, thankfully, cool off.
Whether you’re moving to Dripping Springs, visiting the Texas Hill Country, or you’ve lived here for years and just need an escape from the Texas heat, here are five of my favorite places to get in the water near Dripping Springs.
1. Milton Reimers Ranch Park + the Pedernales River
Dripping Springs, Texas
Milton Reimers Ranch Park will always be special to me because it’s one of the reasons I moved to Dripping Springs in the first place. I used to travel all the way from Texas Tech just to climb here and sit by the river.
The park sits along the Pedernales River and has nearly three miles of river frontage. When conditions cooperate, you can hike down to the river and get in the water—which feels pretty fantastic during a Central Texas summer. Some years we have more water than others, but the sun drops behind the bluff in the late afternoon, creating a shady spot that’s perfect for a picnic or simply relaxing by the river.
Reimers is much more than a swimming spot, though. The park also has hiking, world-class rock climbing and more than 18 miles of mountain-bike trails. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend an entire day outside.
Local tip: The hike from the parking area to the river is about a quarter mile down a steep grade, so remember: whatever you carry down has to come back up. Vehicles also aren’t allowed down the road to the beach on summer weekends or holidays.
River and trail conditions can change after heavy rain, so I always recommend checking theofficial Reimers Ranch Park page before heading out.
2. Blue Hole Regional Park
Wimberley, Texas
There aren’t many places that feel more like the Texas Hill Country thanBlue Hole Regional Park in Wimberley.
This natural, spring-fed swimming hole sits beneath enormous cypress trees along Cypress Creek, giving you something especially valuable during a Texas summer: shade.
There’s a grassy lawn for spreading out, clear water and the park’s famous rope swings. It’s an easy place to spend a summer day with kids, friends or visitors from out of town. The two rope swings are always the highlight for my boys—although they’ve been known to come home with a few blisters from refusing to stop.
Wimberley is also close enough to Dripping Springs that you can swim for a few hours and then head into town for lunch or wander around the square.
Know before you go: Reservations are required to enter the swimming area during swim season. The rest of Blue Hole Regional Park—including the trails, playground and picnic areas—is free and doesn’t require a reservation.
Check the currentBlue Hole swimming information and reservations before you go.
3. Krause Springs
Spicewood, Texas
Krause Springs is one of those places that reminds you why people fall in love with the Texas Hill Country.
This privately owned swimming spot in Spicewood has natural springs, an upper spring-fed pool, a lower natural swimming hole, waterfalls, huge trees and plenty of shade. There are picnic tables everywhere and when you walk in there is a garden that feels like one of the most beautiful resorts in the Hill Country. Take a few minutes to explore!
And here’s the important part when it’s ridiculously hot outside: the springs flow at roughly 68 degrees.
For current hours, swimming information and what to bring, check the Krause Springs FAQs.
4. The San Marcos River
San Marcos, Texas
If cold, clear water is the goal, it’s hard to beat the San Marcos River.
Fed by natural springs, the river stays cool year-round, making it one of my favorite Central Texas escapes when the summer heat gets brutal. Depending on where you access the river—and how ambitious you’re feeling—you can swim, float, tube, kayak or paddleboard.
This river is especially meaningful to me. I worked on it during my college years at Texas State University, where I taught countless people how to kayak and even led a few full-moon floats.
Rio Vista Park is one of the easiest public access points. It’s right on the river and a fun place to spend a hot afternoon swimming, relaxing or watching the kayakers play in the rapids.
There are several other parks and river access points throughout San Marcos, too, so it’s a place you can visit again and again and have a completely different kind of day each time.
5. Barton Springs Pool
Austin, Texas
Okay, technically Barton Springs Pool is in Austin — but if you live in Dripping Springs, I think it absolutely belongs on this list.
The spring-fed pool averages around 68 degrees year-round, which means jumping in can be a shock even when it’s ridiculously hot outside.
Then it feels amazing.
Barton Springs is one of my favorite places in Austin to swim, hang out and cool off. And here’s one of my favorite things about it:
You can swim at Barton Springs for free during certain morning and evening hours.
I wrote an entire guide about the free swim hours, parking, what to bring and a few things I’ve learned from spending a lot of time there.
Read my Barton Springs Free Swim Guide
If you’re moving to Dripping Springs but still want easy access to Austin, places like Barton Springs are part of what makes living southwest of the city so much fun.
Bonus: Hamilton Pool Preserve
You can’t make a list about water near Dripping Springs without mentioning Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Hamilton Pool is one of the most recognizable natural areas in the Texas Hill Country, with its massive limestone overhang, waterfall and beautiful pool below.
But I’m putting it in the bonus category for an important reason: you shouldn’t assume you’ll be able to swim.
Swimming access can change based on water quality and other conditions, and a reservation is required to visit the preserve.
It’s absolutely worth seeing, but if your entire goal is to jump into cold water on a 105-degree afternoon, check the current Hamilton Pool conditions before you go.
What About Jacob’s Well?
You’ll see Jacob’s Well on plenty of older lists of the best swimming holes near Dripping Springs and Wimberley.
It’s beautiful and absolutely worth knowing about, but swimming access has been closed due to environmental conditions. Because that can change, check the latest Jacob’s Well information from Hays County before planning your visit.
Living in Dripping Springs Means Having All of This Nearby
Dripping Springs isn’t the tiny town it was when I first moved here. Ranch Road 12 definitely has a few more cars on it now. I remember wondering why we even had a stop sign at RR12 because I rarely would see another car on it. Times have changed.
But the access to the outdoors is still one of the things I love most about living here.
Within an easy drive, I can swim in a spring-fed pool, jump into the San Marcos River, spend an afternoon along the Pedernales or head into Austin for a 68-degree swim at Barton Springs.
And when it’s 107 degrees outside?
That’s a pretty great list of options to have.
If you’re thinking about moving to Dripping Springs or the surrounding Texas Hill Country, I’m always happy to share the things I love about actually living here — not just buying a house here.d
