Rockdale TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Rockdale, Texas.
1. Apache Pass
RIVERSIDE EVENTS VENUE
Apache Pass is a versatile riverside venue near Rockdale offering access to the San Gabriel River for swimming and water recreation. Visitors can enjoy the natural setting while attending events at the restaurant and icehouse or participating in outdoor activities. The venue combines natural beauty with recreational facilities, making it a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike.
2. Lake Somerville State Park
SCENIC LAKE RECREATION
Lake Somerville State Park offers visitors a expansive 11,630-acre lake with designated swimming areas, sandy beaches, and boat ramps. The park features camping facilities, hiking trails, and fishing opportunities in a picturesque woodland setting. Visitors can enjoy water sports, wildlife viewing, and peaceful shorelines just a short drive from Rockdale.
3. Blue Hole Regional Park
NATURAL SWIMMING HAVEN
Blue Hole Regional Park centers around a pristine natural swimming hole formed by Cypress Creek with crystal-clear spring-fed waters. The swimming area features rope swings, grassy banks for sunbathing, and ancient cypress trees providing natural shade. This beloved waterfront escape requires reservations during peak summer months due to its popularity and commitment to preservation.
4. Blanco State Park
RIVERSIDE RECREATION PARADISE
Blanco State Park offers a mile-long stretch of the Blanco River with limestone banks, shallow swimming areas, and cascading falls. Visitors can rent tubes, canoes, and kayaks to explore the river or enjoy the designated swimming areas with picnic facilities nearby. The park combines natural beauty with family-friendly amenities including playgrounds, hiking trails, and camping sites.
5. Barton Springs Pool
URBAN NATURAL SPRING
Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre natural limestone pool in the heart of Austin fed by underground springs maintaining a refreshing 68-70 degree temperature year-round. The pool offers a unique swimming experience with depths ranging from shallow wading areas to diving spots over 18 feet deep. Surrounded by grassy hills perfect for sunbathing, this urban oasis attracts swimmers, nature enthusiasts, and families seeking relief from Texas heat.
6. Jacob's Well Natural Area
ARTESIAN SPRING SWIMMING
Jacob's Well Natural Area features an artesian spring with crystal-clear waters flowing from an underwater cave system creating one of the most unique swimming holes in Texas. The main attraction is a circular pool with a deep blue center where brave swimmers can jump from surrounding limestone ledges into the cool waters. Reservations are required for swimming during peak season at this scientifically significant and visually stunning natural wonder.
7. McKinney Falls State Park
WATERFALL SWIMMING PARADISE
McKinney Falls State Park features two sets of limestone waterfalls where Onion Creek creates natural swimming holes perfect for cooling off during hot Texas summers. Visitors can swim beneath the falls, explore the smooth limestone creek bed, or fish in the deeper pools throughout the park. The 726-acre park combines natural water features with hiking trails, camping facilities, and historical structures just minutes from downtown Austin.
8. Lake Bastrop
FORESTED LAKE RETREAT
Lake Bastrop offers 900 acres of recreational waters surrounded by the scenic pine forests of Central Texas, with two separate parks providing access to swimming beaches. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, and waterfront camping with rental options including canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards. The lake's North and South Shore Parks feature sandy swimming beaches, picnic areas, and hiking trails making it a complete outdoor destination.
9. Krause Springs
NATURAL SPRING OASIS
Krause Springs is a privately owned natural preserve featuring 32 springs feeding natural and manmade pools surrounded by century-old cypress trees and lush gardens. Visitors can swim in the constant 68-degree spring waters, float in the natural pool, or enjoy the rope swing into the larger swimming area. This enchanting 115-acre property combines pristine waters with butterfly gardens, wind chimes, and camping facilities for a complete nature retreat.
10. Guadalupe River State Park
SCENIC RIVER RECREATION
Guadalupe River State Park offers four miles of river frontage with multiple swimming areas, rapids, and peaceful pools ideal for water recreation. Visitors can enjoy tubing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming in the crystal-clear waters flowing over limestone riverbed beneath towering cypress trees. The park combines waterfront activities with extensive hiking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, and campsites in a breathtaking Hill Country setting.
Rockdale Things To Do
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Rockdale Restaurants
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