Rankin TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Rankin, Texas.
1. Tommy Workman Swimming Pool Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SWIMMING OASIS
Tommy Workman Swimming Pool Park is a family-friendly destination perfect for enjoying a day in the sun with a large swimming pool as its main feature. The park offers free entry and includes children's playgrounds, picnic tables, and grassy fields for visitors to enjoy. Visitors can experience a classic small-town swimming atmosphere with amenities like an old-school metal merry-go-round for play before or after a swim.
2. Rankin Beach
HISTORIC CONCRETE SWIMMING HOLE
Rankin Beach features a giant concrete swimming hole measuring 60 feet wide that was created in an area that had not had waterfront access since prehistoric times. The swimming facility was established by Yates, bringing a unique waterfront experience to this arid part of Texas. This historic swimming location offers residents and visitors a refreshing escape from the Texas heat in an otherwise dry region.
3. Lake Marble Falls
SCENIC RESERVOIR RETREAT
Lake Marble Falls is a beautiful reservoir created in 1951 with the construction of the Starcke Dam, now serving as a popular tourist destination with a park and beach. Situated along the Highland Lakes on the Colorado River, the lake offers various waterfront activities in a picturesque Texas Hill Country setting. Named for the original marble shelves over which water once flowed, this lake continues the watery heritage that gave the town its name.
4. Johnson Park
PECAN-SHADED CREEK RECREATION
Johnson Park in Marble Falls offers a variety of waterfront activities along the pecan-shaded Backbone Creek. Visitors can fish, picnic, camp, kayak, play softball, and attend concerts in this versatile outdoor space. The park provides a peaceful creek-side setting for both active recreation and relaxed enjoyment of nature within the Marble Falls community.
5. Lakeside Park
SCENIC WATERFRONT TRAIL
Lakeside Park features a 2.7-mile trail that takes approximately 50 minutes to complete and is best experienced from February through May. The park provides direct access to Lake Marble Falls with opportunities for waterfront recreation and relaxation. Its location near downtown Marble Falls makes it a convenient spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Highland Lakes region.
6. Fort Lancaster Battlefield
HISTORIC RIVERSIDE SITE
Fort Lancaster Battlefield State Historic Site offers visitors a glimpse of Texas frontier history along the banks of Live Oak Creek near its confluence with the Pecos River. The historic fort, established in 1855, protected travelers on the San Antonio-El Paso Road and features ruins and interpretive displays in a riverside setting. Visitors can explore both the historical significance of the site and enjoy the natural beauty of the waterway that made this location strategically important.
7. Colorado Bend State Park
WILD RIVER ADVENTURES
Colorado Bend State Park features over six miles of Colorado River frontage offering swimming, fishing, and paddling opportunities in a natural setting. The park is home to Gorman Falls, a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall, and numerous swimming holes along Spicewood Springs. Visitors can enjoy camping along the riverbanks while experiencing the rugged beauty of the Texas Hill Country wilderness.
8. South Llano River State Park
CRYSTAL CLEAR RIVER RECREATION
South Llano River State Park offers crystal-clear river waters perfect for swimming, tubing, and kayaking in a peaceful Hill Country setting. The park features multiple river access points with sandy beaches and shallow areas ideal for families and swimmers of all skill levels. Visitors can enjoy camping near the river's edge while experiencing the natural beauty and abundant wildlife that thrive along this pristine waterway.
9. Inks Lake State Park
COLORFUL ROCKY SHORELINES
Inks Lake State Park showcases a constant-level lake with distinctive pink granite outcroppings creating unique swimming areas and dramatic shorelines. The park's Devil's Waterhole is particularly popular, featuring a small canyon where visitors can swim and jump from the surrounding rocks into deep, clear waters. Cabins and campsites near the water's edge allow visitors to fully experience this Highland Lakes gem with its colorful stone formations and refreshing waters.
10. Pedernales Falls State Park
TIERED RIVER SWIMMING
Pedernales Falls State Park features dramatic limestone steps where the Pedernales River cascades over smooth rock formations creating natural pools and swimming areas. The park offers designated swimming areas downstream from the falls where visitors can enjoy the cool, clear waters in a scenic Hill Country setting. Hiking trails along the riverbanks provide access to both popular swimming spots and secluded areas where visitors can experience the natural beauty of this Texas waterway.
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