Every place to cool off in Austin

A free neighborhood splash pad in Central Austin’s Bailey Park, with an adjacent playground. Daily jets run 9am–8pm through the warm season — an easy, no-fee stop for younger kids.

East Austin pocket splash pad in Chestnut Neighborhood Park. Free and open daily through the season — a quick cool-off close to home with a playground beside it.

Centrally located in historic Clarksville, this free splash pad is a favorite for Central Austin families. Shaded park surroundings and a playground make it an easy half-day stop.

Tucked into leafy Eastwoods Park near the UT campus, this free splash pad sits among mature shade trees with a playground close by. Open daily through the season.

The downtown splash pad at Butler Park, and the only City pad open year-round. Great for hot evenings after dinner downtown, with skyline views and the hike-and-bike trail steps away.

A free East Austin splash pad in Lott Park, with a neighborhood playground alongside. Open daily through the warm season with no fee or reservation.

Adjacent to Metz Pool in East Austin, this free splash pad lets little ones play while older kids swim next door. Open daily through the season.

A free South Austin splash pad with a playground in Ricky Guerrero Park. Easy parking and no fee make it a reliable weekday cool-off for toddlers and grade-schoolers.

Run by the Pease Park Conservancy and one of the most beloved pads in the city. Shaded, tree-lined, and ideal for younger kids, set in a creekside park with trails and a playscape.

Named the Best Place to Play in a Fountain by the Austin Chronicle. Free and part of the Brushy Creek Trail system, with a lake, playground, and miles of trail to round out the day.

Built in a former quarry ringed by natural rock walls — a genuinely distinctive setting. Fountains, water cannons, a waterfall, mini slide, climbing wall, and sandbox. $2 per person.

Widely considered the best family pool in the City system. Shaded toddler pool with a mini slide, a lilypad crossing, two big water slides (48”+, open at noon), a diving board, and lap lanes. Arrive before 10am on weekends. Splash pad on site.

Free East Austin neighborhood pool in Rosewood Park with a playground and adjacent splash pad — little ones can play while bigger kids swim. Opens late May.

In the Mueller neighborhood next to the Branch Park Pavilion (home of the Texas Farmers' Market). A simple, shaded splash pad, with a playground, dog park, sand volleyball, and hammock area nearby.

A small splash pad in South Austin, right next to the playground. Shaded, with a public pool (main + wading), sand volleyball, tennis courts, and a 1.2-mile paved loop trail on-site.

Easton Park's 21-acre signature green space — privately maintained by the neighborhood (not a City of Austin facility) but open to the public. A circular splash pad plus a zipline, 3-story tube slide, and a mini Pennybacker Bridge replica.

A free public splash pad in the Falcon Pointe neighborhood of Pflugerville. Temporarily closed — check the city site before visiting.

A free public splash pad inside Stone Hill Park, Pflugerville. Features sprinklers, running space, and push-button dumping buckets, with a nearby playground and a separate dog park (dogs not allowed in the splash pad itself).

A free splash pad (a Travis County Parks facility, despite the Pflugerville address), set in a larger park with 4 playgrounds, a BMX track and skate park, group shelters, and a 2-mile paved trail along Gilleland Creek.

Round Rock's only city-operated free splash pad — a 14,000 sq ft plaza with benches, walkable to downtown restaurants and shops. Runs 7:30am–10pm most of the year.

A 16-acre Leander park with a free splash pad and an adjacent swimming pool (open Memorial Day through Labor Day), plus turf fields, a playscape, pavilion, basketball court, amphitheater, and walking trail.

A roughly 2,300 sq ft splash pad in Kyle with a two-headed sunflower, two mushroom showers, and water cannons, with a playground alongside.

A roughly 3,000 sq ft splash pad equipped with a water tower, rain wall, dumping buckets, and custom hoops, plus shade canopies, benches, and picnic tables.

A 25-ft diameter splash pad with ground and raised spray features — small but well-reviewed — in Hutto.

Georgetown's flagship park — a splash pad plus a dog park, equestrian area, fishing ponds, and 7+ miles of trails.

Inside San Gabriel Park, a 2,000 sq ft splash pad with 22 programmable water jets, vibrant lighting, seating walls for supervising, and oak trees nearby for shade. Part of a larger park with a playscape, skate park, and trails.

A brick courtyard splash pad next to the Georgetown Art Center, with water jets shooting up from the ground — no other amenities on-site.

A 1,656 sq ft splash pad with 15 spray features — including a Super Soaker archway, a shower tunnel, a spinning Storm Spinner, popcorn jets, and a bell-shaped sprayer — with a playground nearby.

In the Teravista neighborhood, a 2,000 sq ft pad with a towering spider water feature, dragonfly mural, and flowering water elements, with a shaded playground nearby. Currently closed for maintenance — check before visiting.

Widely considered the best family pool in the City system. Shaded toddler pool with a mini slide, a lilypad crossing, two big water slides (48”+, open at noon), a diving board, and lap lanes. Arrive before 10am on weekends. Splash pad on site.

Austin’s most iconic swim spot: a 3-acre spring-fed pool held at 68–70°F all year. Diving boards, a gradual shallow end, and big shade trees. Wear water shoes — the rock entry is slippery. Closed Thursdays for cleaning.

A free, year-round neighborhood gem in South Austin, fed by warm spring water that stays comfortable in cooler months. Consistently one of the quieter options — a good call when Barton Springs is packed.

A free year-round pool serving Northeast Austin’s Colony Park neighborhood. Open outside summer too — handy for cold-morning lap swimmers and families who want to swim past Labor Day.

Austin’s oldest pool, spring-fed and held at 65–75°F. The gradual shallow entry is perfect for babies and toddlers while bigger kids swim deeper. Grassy lawn for picnics, plus summer poolside movies.

A year-round pool in far North Austin’s Springwoods Park, open through the cooler months for lap swimmers and families. An entry fee applies; check austintexas.gov for current hours.

One of the first seasonal pools to open each summer (mid-May). Free to enter, in a South Austin park with a playground — a good early-season option before the rest of the system is running.

A free North Austin pool inside sprawling Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, with trails and playgrounds nearby. Opens May 16 — one of the earliest in the city — and rarely as crowded as the marquee pools.

Free seasonal pool in Balcones District Park in Northwest Austin, surrounded by shade and a large park with playgrounds and sport courts. Opens late May for the summer.

A free Southwest Austin pool in Dick Nichols District Park, with a playground, trails, and plenty of shade. Opens late May for the season.

Free seasonal pool in Southeast Austin’s Dove Springs district park, with a recreation center and playground on site. Opens late May.

A free East Austin pool in shady Givens District Park, one of the area’s oldest. Playground and rec center alongside; opens late May for summer.

Free East Austin neighborhood pool in Rosewood Park with a playground and adjacent splash pad — little ones can play while bigger kids swim. Opens late May.

A free Northeast Austin pool with a neighborhood playground in Dottie Jordan Park. Opens June 1 for the summer.

Free East Austin seasonal pool in Govalle Park, near the Southern Walnut Creek trail. Playground on site; opens June 1.

A free pool in East Austin’s Metz/Martin park area along the river, with shade and a playground nearby. Opens June 1.

Free Northwest Austin pool next to Murchison Middle School, with a playground and ballfields nearby. Opens June 1 for the season.

A free, shaded pool in Ramsey Park in the Rosedale/Allandale area of Central Austin, with a playground and tennis courts. A relaxed neighborhood option; opens June 1.

A beloved free neighborhood pool in Hyde Park, shaded and never as crowded as the big ones — perfect for a weekday morning swim. Playground next door. Opens June 1.

Free seasonal pool in Westenfield Park near Tarrytown and Lions Municipal Golf Course, with shade and a playground. Opens June 1.

A free, shaded neighborhood pool in Brentwood Park in North-Central Austin, with a playground and rec center. Opens June 6.

Free Northwest Austin pool near Canyon Vista Middle School, serving the Spicewood Springs corridor. Opens June 6 for the summer.

A free South Austin pool in Dittmar Recreation Center park, with a playground and sports facilities. Opens June 6.

Free Central-East Austin pool in shady Patterson Park, with a playground, tennis, and disc golf. A laid-back neighborhood spot; opens June 6.

A free, leafy neighborhood pool in Reed Park in the Tarrytown area, with a playground and tennis courts. Opens June 6.

Free Southeast Austin pool in Civitan Park, with a neighborhood playground. Among the last to open each summer, on June 13.

A free South Austin pool in shady Gillis Park along Bouldin Creek, with a playground and basketball courts. Opens June 13.

Free North Austin pool near the St. John neighborhood, with a playground on site. Opens June 13 for the season.

Free East Austin neighborhood pool with a playground and an adjacent splash pad, so younger kids can play while others swim. Opens June 8.

A free East Austin pool in historic Parque Zaragoza, with a recreation center, playground, and shade. Opens June 8.

A shallow, free wading pool beside Big Stacy in South Austin — ideal for babies and toddlers, with shade and a playground nearby. Opens June 13.

Free neighborhood pool in West Austin’s West Austin Park, shaded and close to downtown, with a playground and tennis courts. Opens June 13.

A South Austin pool in Garrison District Park, already open for the season. Large park with shade, a playground, and sport courts. An entry fee applies.

A Northwest Austin neighborhood pool, open now for the season with a playground nearby. An entry fee applies; check austintexas.gov for hours.

A free Southeast Austin pool in Montopolis, with a neighborhood playground and recreation center on site. Opens June 1 for the season.

One of the best family pools in the suburbs. A 120-ft water slide, a toddler water playground, and a lap area, set beside Elizabeth Milburn Park with trails and a playscape. Check cedarparkrecreation.com for hours.

A Pflugerville favorite with a small lazy river, a toddler slide, and water slides. Closed Wednesdays. Check pflugervilletx.gov for hours and admission.

A Northwest Austin (Anderson Mill MUD) pool with a toddler pool with sprinklers and three diving boards on the main pool. Open to non-residents; day pass $4 for ages 12 & under, $5 for 13+.

An 11-acre Brushy Creek MUD park: a beach-entry pool plus a splash pad with a 10-ft mushroom feature and two water slides. Non-residents can buy a non-resident or day pass.

A Brushy Creek MUD facility — an 8-lane heated lap pool open year-round, plus a seasonal zero-depth baby pool.

A seasonal outdoor pool inside 22.9-acre Lake Creek Park, with a diving board, water slide, and a splash pad for younger kids. A playground, dog park, and sports fields are steps away.

Round Rock's only indoor pool — a 6-lane, 25-yard lap pool. The only true year-round indoor option on this list.

A heated, Jr. Olympic-size community pool inside Gilleland Creek Park, with zero-entry access for young kids, shaded picnic areas, a playground, pavilion, and BBQ pits on-site.

The City of Kyle's community pool, open since 2004 — a summertime cool-off with a playground nearby.

A heated indoor pool at the San Marcos Activity Center. The 25-yard, six-lane pool stays 82–84°F year-round and is 4 ft deep — ideal for lap swimming, water jogging, or water walking rather than open recreational play.

One of the most acclaimed water parks in the country: 40+ attractions across 70 acres on the spring-fed Comal River, including the original uphill water coaster. About 45 minutes south of Austin.

A full water park just northeast of Austin with thrill and family slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a kids’ area, plus a zip line and ropes course. Cabana rentals available. See typhoontexas.com for tickets and hours.

A small, family-manageable park on the shore of Lake Travis: a pirate-ship play area, water slides, an obstacle crossing, sand volleyball, and a lakeside restaurant. About 30 minutes from Austin.

America’s largest indoor water park, at the Kalahari resort in Round Rock — open year-round, rain or shine. Slides, a wave pool, lazy river, and a toddler zone under one climate-controlled roof. Day passes and resort packages available.

A City of Round Rock water park with a full sprayground, a 12-ft jumping platform, a rock wall, a drop slide, body and tube slides, and net obstacles. Check roundrocktexas.gov for hours and admission.

Home to a 26-ft pirate ship with two slides and water cannons, plus additional water slides and crossing obstacles — one of the most fun pools in the metro for kids. Closed Tuesdays.

An 8,300 sq-ft activity pool with a drop slide, a jumping platform, a cargo-net log crossing, water basketball, and a family slide, plus rentable shade pavilions. Check cedarparkrecreation.com for hours and admission.

The Chasco Family YMCA’s outdoor aquatics include a leisure pool with a water playground, slides, and splash features alongside lap lanes. Open to members and day-pass guests; check austinymca.org for hours.

A seasonal neighborhood water-play spot in the metro with splash features for younger kids. Hours and exact location vary — confirm details and admission before heading out.

Austin’s wild backyard: a 12-mile creekside greenbelt with beloved swimming holes like Twin Falls, Sculpture Falls, Campbell’s Hole, and Gus Fruh. Limestone ledges, rope swings, and rock climbing. Best after rain — the creek can dry up by late summer. Free; swim at your own risk.

A magical, family-owned oasis 40 minutes west of Austin with 32 springs, a man-made pool, and a spring-fed natural pool ringed by ferns, cascades, a rope swing, and a cliff face for jumping. Butterfly gardens, giant wind chimes, and campsites round it out. No reservations — arrive early on weekends.

A geological wonder 40 minutes from Austin: a jade-green grotto where Hamilton Creek spills 50 feet over a fern-draped limestone dome. Swimming is allowed only when bacteria levels and rainfall permit — never guaranteed. Reservations required every day; the trail under the overhang is closed.

An artesian spring 40 minutes from Austin and the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas, feeding the Blanco River through clear, cool water framed by rocky ledges and shade. Swimming is seasonal and reservation-based — and has been closed during recent drought. Hiking remains open.

One of the most beautiful swimming holes in Texas: a shaded stretch of Cypress Creek under century-old bald cypress trees, with rope swings, a shallow toddler area, and a deeper lounging zone. A large grassy lawn and a paved, easy walk make it very family-friendly.

A free, popular swimming spot in the San Gabriel River, about 30 minutes north of Austin and a few blocks from Georgetown’s downtown square. Limestone bluffs, shade, free parking, restrooms, and picnic areas make it an easy summer day.

A free sandy beach along the Colorado River inside Roy G. Guerrero Park in Southeast Austin. This undammed stretch can run shallow, so it’s more wade-and-splash than deep swim — a fun, dog-friendly spot after a short walk through the woods.

A sandy swimming beach on the banks of Lake Austin about 10 miles northwest of downtown — it genuinely feels like a little beach. Nearly 9 miles of trails, boat ramps, camping, and shaded picnic areas, with the cool, clear Turkey Creek nearby.

A quieter lakefront park on Lake Austin in West Austin, with a boathouse, fishing, a restored prairie, volleyball, and shaded picnicking. A relaxed spot to wade, paddle, and watch the sunset away from the busier beaches.

A shaded Northwest Austin park along Bull Creek with small waterfalls, wading pools, and rock ledges when the creek is flowing. Family- and dog-friendly trails wind through limestone and oak — best in spring and early summer before the creek dries.

A lush, fern-lined section of the River Place Nature Trail 25 minutes from downtown, with tranquil pools, small waterfalls, and stepping-stone crossings deep in shade. An intermediate 1.9-mile hike — more wade-and-splash than deep swim, and prettiest when the streams are flowing.

A 180-acre lake with a designated swim beach, a 3-mile loop trail, fishing piers, and kayak/paddleboard rentals. Free and easy to reach in Pflugerville — a low-key spot for a beach-style swim day close to North Austin.

A protected canyon grotto across the river from Hamilton Pool, with a 40-foot waterfall, emerald pool, and fern-canopied limestone — accessible only on a guided tour. There’s no public swimming, but it’s a stunning, cooler companion stop to Hamilton Pool.

A compact, family-friendly Texas state park about an hour from Austin, built around a calm, dammed stretch of the Blanco River. Shaded picnic areas, gentle wading spots, tubing, fishing, and CCC-era stonework make it an easy, low-stress river day.

A free park on the spring-fed San Marcos River, famous for its constant 72°F water and a set of small rapids that draw tubers, kayakers, and swimmers. Shaded banks, a playground, and the Lions Club tube rental nearby make it a classic summer stop ~45 minutes south.

A quiet USACE park on the North San Gabriel River above Lake Georgetown, with shallow river crossings, gravel bars, and shade — a low-key spot to wade, fish, and let dogs splash. A trailhead for the Good Water Loop around the lake starts here.

A lesser-known Central Texas swimming hole on spring-fed Salado Creek, right beside Barrow Brewing Company in the village of Salado (about an hour north). Cool, shaded water with room to splash and lounge — plus a creekside beer garden, food trucks, and live music for the grown-ups.

Austin's closest state park — just 13 miles from the Capitol. Two natural swimming areas (Upper and Lower Falls) on Onion Creek, over limestone ledges. No lifeguards; water shoes recommended. Gets crowded on weekends — day-use reservations recommended.

About 30 miles west of Austin. Swimming is allowed ONLY in a designated area downstream — not at the falls themselves, which can flash-flood in minutes. A more rugged, remote feel than McKinney Falls.

Texas's only clothing-optional public park, on Lake Travis, and restricted to ages 18+ — not a family spot. Rocky cliffs and coves rather than a sand beach.

Considered the clearest swimming water on Lake Travis; popular with certified divers (sunken boats and sculptures offshore). Sandy peninsula ("The Point"), sand volleyball, and a non-motorized boat ramp.

The most 'managed' swim spot on Lake Travis — a designated swim cove, the lake's largest boat ramp, and an underwater dive park, plus chess tables and a climbing boulder. The busiest of the Lake Travis parks.

Known for cliff jumping off limestone bluffs (up to ~40 ft) and 9+ miles of shoreline. Popular for camping too.

Quieter lake access than Pace Bend, plus a well-regarded mountain-bike trail network.

Smaller (25-acre) and calmer than Pace Bend or Windy Point — good for swimming, birding, and camping.

A sandy Pedernales River beach about a quarter-mile walk down from the parking lot, and a major rock-climbing and mountain-biking destination. First-come, first-served — the beach access road closes to vehicles on summer weekends/holidays (foot access stays open).

A 900-acre lake in the Lost Pines region. The South Shore has a shaded swim area, mini-golf, and a playground.

A 900-acre lake in the Lost Pines region. The North Shore is quieter, with cabins and glamping. Right at the edge of the 35-mile radius (~30 mi).

One of the most inviting spaces on the Texas State campus. The spring-fed, crystal-clear San Marcos River runs through the park and stays 72°F year-round. It's a university-adjacent lawn and volleyball park, not a kids' playground.

A quieter alternative to Rio Vista, on the Blanco River behind a century-old dam. Can run low or dry during drought — check conditions before visiting.

On a bluff over Lake Georgetown; the swimming and cliff-jumping area is about a 1.5-mile hike from parking. USACE-run — mention at the gate if you're only there to swim or hike (not camping or launching a boat) to skip those fees.

A washed-pebble swim beach on Lake Georgetown, with a small USACE campground.