Westlake TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Westlake, Texas.
1. West Lake Beach
LAKESIDE FUN SINCE 1954
West Lake Beach is a quaint, lakeside marina open to the public just Northeast of West Lake Hills in North Austin that has been providing relaxation and fun since 1954. The beach features swimming areas with sandy shores, water volleyball courts, a large pavilion, picnic tables, and barbecue pits, accommodating up to 300 people at one time. Visitors can swim, fish, boat, play in the sand, and enjoy the calm waters of Lake Austin without having to hike to reach the water.
2. Barton Springs Pool
NATURAL SPRING-FED SWIMMING
Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre natural swimming pool fed by underground springs that maintain a refreshing 68-70 degree temperature year-round. Located in Zilker Park, this Austin landmark offers a unique swimming experience with its natural limestone bottom and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming laps, lounging on the grassy banks, or exploring the educational exhibit about the pool's ecosystem and endangered Barton Springs salamander.
3. Emma Long Metropolitan Park
LAKESIDE RECREATION HAVEN
Emma Long Metropolitan Park offers a beautiful stretch of Lake Austin shoreline with a sandy beach area perfect for swimming and relaxation. The 1,150-acre park features camping sites, hiking trails, picnic facilities, and boat ramps for water recreation enthusiasts. Visitors appreciate the park's natural setting among juniper and oak trees while enjoying activities from swimming and boating to volleyball and mountain biking.
4. Lake Travis
CLEAR WATERS OUTDOOR PARADISE
Lake Travis is a reservoir on the Colorado River known for its clear blue waters, limestone bottom, and numerous recreational opportunities just west of Austin. Spanning over 63 miles in length with 270 miles of shoreline, the lake offers swimming, boating, fishing, zip-lining, and numerous waterfront restaurants and rental options. Its varying depths and coves make it popular for both casual swimmers seeking shallow entry points and adventurers looking for cliff jumping and deep water activities.
5. Hamilton Pool Preserve
NATURAL LIMESTONE GROTTO
Hamilton Pool Preserve features a stunning natural swimming hole created when the dome of an underground river collapsed thousands of years ago, forming a 50-foot waterfall that cascades into a jade-green pool. The preserve requires reservations due to its popularity and offers hiking trails through the canyon and around the collapsed grotto structure. Visitors are drawn to both the natural beauty of the limestone surroundings and the refreshing waters that provide relief from Texas summer heat.
6. Jacob's Well Natural Area
ARTESIAN SPRING SWIMMING
Jacob's Well Natural Area centers around a perpetually flowing artesian spring that forms the headwaters of Cypress Creek, with its main feature being a 12-foot diameter natural well that descends vertically into an extensive underwater cave system. The crystal-clear waters maintain a constant 68 degrees year-round, making it a popular but regulated swimming destination requiring advance reservations during peak seasons. Visitors can enjoy swimming in the main pool area, exploring the surrounding natural area's hiking trails, or simply relaxing on the limestone outcroppings that surround this unique geological wonder.
7. Blue Hole Regional Park
PRISTINE SWIMMING PARADISE
Blue Hole Regional Park features a pristine swimming hole along Cypress Creek, surrounded by towering cypress trees that provide natural shade over crystal-clear waters. The park offers rope swings, shallow areas for younger swimmers, and grassy banks perfect for picnicking and relaxation between dips in the cool water. Beyond swimming, visitors can enjoy trails, sports courts, playgrounds, and an amphitheater within this 126-acre park that balances recreational use with ecological preservation.
8. McKinney Falls State Park
WATERFALL SWIMMING HOLES
McKinney Falls State Park offers visitors the chance to swim in multiple natural pools formed where Onion Creek cascades over limestone ledges, creating both Upper and Lower Falls swimming areas. The park's 726 acres include hiking and biking trails, fishing spots, camping facilities, and historic structures dating back to the early Texas settlers. Swimmers particularly enjoy the smooth limestone creek bed and refreshing waters that flow year-round but are especially popular during summer months when the falls provide a scenic backdrop for cooling off.
9. Krause Springs
NATURAL SPRINGS OASIS
Krause Springs is a privately-owned property featuring 32 natural springs that feed into man-made and natural swimming pools set among lush gardens and century-old cypress trees. The natural pool includes a small waterfall, rope swing, and natural ledges perfect for lounging, while the property's 115 acres offer camping facilities for overnight stays. Visitors are drawn to both the refreshing 68-degree spring waters and the enchanting atmosphere created by the butterfly gardens, wind chimes, and tranquil landscape that has been maintained by the Krause family since 1955.
10. Red Bud Isle
PENINSULA DOG-FRIENDLY ESCAPE
Red Bud Isle is a 13-acre peninsula park formed where Lake Austin meets Tom Miller Dam, offering swimming access along with shaded trails and an off-leash dog area. The island-like setting provides a peaceful retreat with shallow water entry points perfect for both human swimmers and four-legged companions who love to splash and paddle. Visitors enjoy the combination of natural beauty, water recreation, and the unique experience of being surrounded by water on three sides while still being minutes from downtown Austin.
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