Texana News

Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of three articles for June, July and August about things to do this Summer in Texas.

Summer Fun in Central Texas
Have you visited the Land of 1,100 Springs?
by Chandra Moira Beal

When summer sizzles theres only one place to go to stay cool: the swimming hole! But which one? With hundreds of places to swim in Central Texas, you cant go wrong. Here are few highlights of the southwest region to get you started:

Barton Springs in Austin is the largest natural spring in the country located within an urban area, and the fourth largest spring in Texas. It was named for early settler William Barton, a fierce defender of the colonists. Over the centuries, Bartons was the site of Native American camps, a popular stage stop, and fueled early dams, mills and ice factories. In the late 1800s, an entrepreneur began renting swimsuits for a nickel and it became a popular place to socialize, hear concerts, camp and picnic. The water is a constant 68 degrees and fills a rock-bottomed pool 1,000 feet long. Considered the soul of Austin, patrons can swim with politicians, musicians, yoga instructors, and fish. Its by far the best way to beat the heat in Austin. The surrounding Barton Creek Greenbelt also has several swimming holes located along the hiking trail.

Just outside of Austin, McKinney Falls forms at the confluence of Onion and Williamson creeks, then cascades over limestone cliffs into a deep pool surrounded by large boulders. This state park is named for Thomas McKinney, a colorful early Texan who bred and trained racehorses on the property. Some of the original structures still stand and can be viewed from hiking trails lacing the park. This swimming hole is reliable and refreshing, even during droughts.

McKinney Falls State Park (TxDOT)

If its falls you like, also check out Pedernales State Park where the wide Pedernales River washes over massive, chalky limestone bluffs. Limestone, so characteristic of the Hill Country terrain, is what is responsible for the areas numerous springs. Think of it as a giant sponge filled with pockets of water that ebb and flow to the surface depending on rainfall. In this park, the cliffs create a deep canyon that the river cuts through. The riverbed is also made of limestone, giving it the look of a swimming pool. These falls arent the vertical type; rather, the water pours over the surface in a wide, rolling motion. Numerous tributaries of the river meander through the park, surprising hikers with deep, refreshing pools and a few shallow places to splash. The best swimming is about one mile above the falls and two miles below.

Dinosaur buffs will appreciate the tracks visible in the riverbed of Blanco State Park. A 1,000-foot portion of the river has been dammed for fine swimming. Enjoy a picnic on the grassy banks, or rent tubes or boats for a leisurely float. Blanco means "white" and describes the flat, smooth riverbed. This portion of the river is exceptionally clear and calm.

Blue Hole on Cypress Creek in Wimberley is so named because the water is a chilly 65 degrees. During the late 1920s, Frank Dobies family owned the surrounding land and charged visitors five cents admission per vehicle. Dobie (1888-1964) was a noted author and folklorist who popularized the southwest. Blue Hole was legendary with soldiers on leave from San Antonio during WWII who came by the truckload. After all, those were the days before air conditioning. It is the classic, circular swimming hole, now privately owned and operated as a small park and campground. Tucked away behind towering cypress trees in downtown Wimberley, Blue Hole is not a very big swimming hole and feels intimate and secluded. Tall trees create a canopy of shade over the deep water. The natural beauty of the area makes up for the small size, and the water is so cold that you usually wont have to compete for a place to swim.

Blue Hole on Cyress Creek (TxDOT)

The 250-mile Guadalupe River offers numerous opportunities for recreation, from Kerrville-Schreiner State Park and Guadalupe State Park, to Max Starcke Park in Seguin. The state parks both have miles and miles of river frontage where you can camp overnight or just spend the day splashing around. Starcke Park is a magnificent municipal park shaded by hundreds of pecan trees that has excellent, free swimming and diving above Saffold Dam. Starcke Park has exceptional amenities and is beautifully landscaped for a town the size of Seguin. The river hugs the edge of the park, and picnic tables, miniature golf, motorized boats, and playgrounds will provide your family with plenty of fun even if you dont get wet. The glassy water, a segment of the Guadalupe River, is deep and still and can be accessed by steps from a concrete dock set below the main road. Saffold Dam is also a lesson in history. It is named for William Saffold, an early pioneer who owned the property in the 1800s. Saffold simply improved upon a natural rock formation to create the dam. Later, the dam was bought by German immigrant Henry Troell who expanded its capabilities and provided the first electrical utilities to the City of Seguin. The Wave Pool (separate admission) across the street will also entertain you for hours. River Road in New Braunfels is a hugely popular place to tube in the summer. The 10-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River is a scenic drive going toward Canyon Lake, and a leisurely float toward town. Occasional rapids will keep you from falling asleep. Outfitters, resorts, and restaurants line the banks and take care of your every need. Canyon Lake is worth a visit just to enjoy the scenic walk along the dam and around the rim of the canyon.

The Comal River in New Braunfels may be the worlds shortest at 2.5 miles, but it is fueled by one of the largest springs in Texas. Cold, clear water bubbles to the surface in picturesque Landa Park and fills a gorgeous, large swimming hole, then flows around Hinmann Island and through Prince Solms Park where tubers can finish the ride with a swoosh through the S-shaped Tube Chute. The Comal may be short, but it is packed with opportunities to get wet before it empties into the Guadalupe River. It even provides water to Schlitterbahn. In New Braunfels is das leben schen!