Texas State Parks With Swimming Holes

When it is 100 degrees it is time to find a swimming hole and cool off. Here’s a list of Texas State Parks with swimming holes. Why not make it a weekend and camp, swim, and enjoy all that these Texas State Parks have to offer.

You might also check out our list of Swimming Holes in Texas.

Swimming Holes in Texas State Parks
Balmorhea State Park Toyahvale A stone wall surrounds the swimming hole with stone steps to the deep-water diving board. This leads you into a cool 72 to 76 degrees all year and 25-feet deep, crystal clear water. The pool’s enormous depth attracts divers who can be certified for open-water diving here.
Blanco State Park Blanco In the heart of Hill Country is this small 105-acre wooded state park located on the banks of Blanco River. The white limestone bottom, gives the river its name and its pristine clear water. A small dam creates a lagoon ideal for swimming and floating. The Park provides equipment.
Colorado Bend State Park Bend This very remote State Park in central Texas is said to be “a spring-fed oasis of lush green vegetation and crystal clear water. Like driving out of West Texas, blinking your eyes and finding you’re in Jamaica.” There is a variety of habitats and physical features such as the glorious 60′ Gorman Falls (a travertine waterfall that is actually growing in size rather than eroding).
Daingerfield State Park Daingerfield In northeast Texas you will find a woodsy, 500 acre park. The lake was created by a dam built in the Cypress Creek drainage. You will also find a bathhouse and concession building, a boathouse, and a fishing lodge. You can rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboats from the old boathouse.
Devils River State Natural Area Del Rio This watering hole features areas for swimming and guided canoe tours and is one of the state’s most popular swimming holes. It was formed by millions of years of water erosion over solid granite. You need to drive 20 miles of dirt road to arrive at the blue-green river.
Galveston Island State Park Galveston The park offers a quiet oasis, not exactly a swimming hole, but secluded where you can explore the Gulf of Mexico or Galveston Bay. Families can enjoy kayak tours, beach and surf explorations, bird walks, nature field trips and fishing clinics at no cost. The Park was named one of the top 5 “Best Gulf Coast Beaches” by Travel Channel.
Inks Lake State Park Burnet No wonder this is such a popular area as the landscape of the park is hilly, with many cedar, live oak, prickly pear cacti, and yuccas. There is a small extension of Inks Lake called Devil’s Waterhole which is completely surrounded by rock and a favorite place to jump from the cliff side. There is amazing wildlife at the park, which includes deer, quail, vultures, and other types of birds.
Lake Tawakoni State Park Wills Point Lake Tawakoni has 376 acres with more than five miles of shoreline and a variety of activities, including camping, swimming, fishing, boating, mountain biking, geocaching, hiking and birding. Check out the amazing sunsets over the lake. This lake is just an hour’s dive from Dallas.
McKinney Falls State Park Austin Onion Creek, which flows 1.7 miles through the park over limestone ledges and into pools. There are two places to swim in the park – the Upper and Lower Falls. The Upper seem to be more popular because of deeper water. There are submerged rocks in areas to stand on or larger rocks to climb on. There are also areas to jump but be careful of those submerged rocks.
Pedernales Falls State Park Johnson City This tranquil and relaxing area is a great place to recharge. The river flows over and around huge limestone rocks and allows you to swim, wade, tube or fish. Enjoy the local wildlife and plants at the bird blind and butterfly garden.
Possum Kingdom State Park Caddo Sitting in the foothills of the Palo Pinto mountains less than 90 miles west of Fort Worth, Possum Kingdom is The Great Lake of Texas. Possum Kingdom has more than 18,000 acres of crystal clear water surrounded by gorgeous cliffs and rolling hillsides.