Johnson City TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Johnson City, Texas.
1. Pedernales River Nature Park
SCENIC RIVERSIDE RETREAT
Pedernales River Nature Park offers a peaceful escape along the Pedernales River on the north end of Johnson City along US-281. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the river while taking advantage of various outdoor recreational activities including swimming, fishing, and picnicking. The park serves as a gateway to experiencing the refreshing waters of the Pedernales River in a serene natural setting.
2. Robinhood Park
LAKESIDE FAMILY RECREATION
Robinhood Park is a nice recreational area with tables and BBQ pits for swimming and fishing on Lake LBJ. Located on the east side of Lake LBJ in the City of Granite Shoals off of East FM 1431, this park provides convenient access to the lake. Families and friends can enjoy a day of waterfront activities in this welcoming community park.
3. Lake LBJ Yacht Club and Marina
UPSCALE WATERFRONT EXPERIENCE
Lake LBJ Yacht Club and Marina is a private facility featuring a pleasant swimming area on the southeastern edge of Lake LBJ. Accessible via FM 2147 and South Wirtz Dam Road, this marina combines boating amenities with swimming opportunities. Though private, the marina offers a refined lake experience with well-maintained facilities and scenic views of Lake LBJ.
4. Cottonwood Shores Waterfront
PUBLIC RIVER ACCESS
Cottonwood Shores offers 30 feet of public waterfront access for swimming along the Colorado River, just a mile from open water on Lake LBJ. Located on the southeastern tip of Lake LBJ off of FM 2147, this free-access area welcomes visitors seeking river recreation. The city maintains this waterfront area as part of its commitment to providing public recreational spaces for residents and visitors alike.
5. Clear Cove Park
TRANQUIL LAKE SWIMMING
Clear Cove Park provides a relaxing swimming experience in the clear waters of Lake LBJ. Located near Sunrise Beach, which can be accessed from FM 2233, this park offers a respite from the summer heat. Visitors appreciate the granite-based waterbed that creates unique swimming conditions and interesting shoreline features.
6. Hamilton Pool Preserve
NATURAL SWIMMING GROTTO
Hamilton Pool Preserve features a stunning natural pool created when the dome of an underground river collapsed thousands of years ago. This unique swimming hole includes a 50-foot waterfall that cascades into a jade-green pool surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. The preserve offers visitors a one-of-a-kind swimming experience in a natural setting that feels worlds away from everyday life.
7. Krause Springs
HISTORIC NATURAL SPRINGS
Krause Springs encompasses 32 natural springs set within a 115-acre property that has been owned by the Krause family for over 50 years. The property features both natural and man-made swimming pools fed by springs that flow at a rate of 70 gallons per minute, maintaining a refreshing 68-degree temperature year-round. Surrounded by towering cypress trees and natural rock formations, this privately owned swimming area provides a magical escape with its butterfly gardens, natural caves, and picturesque rope swing.
8. Blue Hole Regional Park
HISTORIC SWIMMING HAVEN
Blue Hole Regional Park centers around a beloved natural swimming hole along Cypress Creek that has refreshed generations of Texans with its crystal-clear spring-fed waters. The 126-acre park surrounding the swimming area features hiking trails, picnic areas, and community gathering spaces nestled among ancient cypress trees. This iconic Hill Country destination combines natural beauty with recreational opportunities in a carefully preserved environmental setting.
9. Pedernales Falls State Park
DRAMATIC RIVER LANDSCAPE
Pedernales Falls State Park showcases the stunning Pedernales River as it cascades over and around huge slabs of limestone, creating a series of beautiful falls and pools. Visitors can swim in designated areas downstream from the falls, where the river forms deeper, more tranquil swimming holes perfect for cooling off during hot Texas summers. The park's 5,212 acres offer not just swimming but also hiking, bird watching, and camping opportunities in a spectacular Hill Country setting.
10. Guadalupe River State Park
REFRESHING RIVER RECREATION
Guadalupe River State Park provides four miles of river frontage where visitors can swim, tube, canoe and fish in the crystal-clear Guadalupe River. The park features limestone cliffs, towering cypress trees, and scenic canyon walls that create a picturesque backdrop for water recreation. Beyond the river, the park offers 13 miles of hiking trails through varied Hill Country terrain, providing opportunities to explore the natural beauty of central Texas.
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