Krause Springs

5 Stars

Krause Springs Pool

Krause Springs is an amazing spring fed watering hole just outside the city limits. The water is cool & refreshing. The grounds are lush and tropical. There are huge old Cypress Trees scattered throughout the park with picnic benches nestled underneath for shade.  The entrance fee to the park is quite reasonable & if you go on a scouting trip to just check things out, they'll likely let you in for free to just take a look around. Near the entrance is a beautiful garden that I'd highly recommend checking out...especially if you are into gardening. 

Spring-fed pool

The first level of the grounds (which slops down from the entrance) is where the pool is located. The pool was built to capture a large volume of the 68 degree spring water for pool swimming before it spills over the cliff into the Cypress Creek below.

Cypress Creek below the pool

Walking down some rather steep steps takes you to the lower part of the grounds where the creek is located. It's not a huge space, but large enough for plenty of floating. Speaking of floating...bring your floats. It's the best way to experience the creek. It's a bit warmer than the pool above. There's a rope swing & rocky shore perfect for catching some sun. The water that spills over from the pool above cascades over the most gorgeous collection of maidenhair fern that I have ever seen. 

Stream below with room for floating & a rope swing

Huge old Cypress Tree

TIPS & INFO:
1. We were told that they never turn anyone away, but I imagine it can get quite crowded. Get there early to secure a picnic table. There are a lot of them!
2. Krause Springs isn't too far from Hamilton Pool. So, if you get turned away from Hamilton because of the crowds, head over to Krause.
3. There's an onsite bathroom (with a shower) for changing.
4. You can bring in coolers, food, floats and all the other watering hole paraphernalia.  
5. There are no trash cans. You bring out your own trash. So, bring an extra bag.
6. They sell ice in case you run out or forget yours.

Picnic tables shaded by Cypress Trees

7. There's a food truck onsite, but it wasn't open when we went. I'm not sure if it's operational or not. Bring your own food & drinks.
8. The slope down to the pool is a bit of a hike. The steps down to the stream are quite steep. If you have walking and/or mobility challenges, this isn't the place for you. 
9. There's onsite primitive camping for an add'l fee. No water or electric. We didn't camp, but toured the camping area. It looks really nice with shaded trees, picnic tables & fire pits.
10. Check out Opie's BBQ on your way to the park. It's simple...meat & beans.  Yum-O. 

Wimberley Blue Hole

5 Stars

We found the Wimberley Blue Hole by accident this summer.  It kicked off our quest to find other swimming holes and visit as many as we could during the hot summer months.  The kids were away at Camp Cho-yeh for a week and we were on what has now become our annual adult summer vacation. We stayed close to the Austin area again this year so that we could dash back to camp if something unexpected happened with the kids.  (Next year, we're planning a real vacation away...don't tell the them.)  We spent two days in Wimberley.  On our way out of town, we followed the signs to the Wimberley Blue Hole.  The swimming destination is very close to the downtown shopping area.  Getting to it is simple; you just follow the signs.  It's on 100 Blue Hole Lane...go figure. 

Rope swing

The park that supports the Blue Hole is more than just a place to swim.  There's a hike & bike trail, places to play ball and a playscape for kids.  But swimming in the chilly spring-fed creek is what a trip to the park is all about.  The creek is lined with beautiful old cypress trees that hang over the water shading it almost entirely.  Two of the trees anchor rope swings that make me think of what swimming was like before the invention of swimming pools.  One swing is for younger kids and a larger swing perched much higher on one tree is for the big kids & adults.  Catching the swing requires cooperation from one of the visiting swimmers.  This gives the swimming experience a sense of community with human-to-human contact we often miss in our digital, I-need-to-Facebook-my-every-experience world we live in today.  It's sooooo refreshing!  Speaking of refreshing...the water is COLD.  But, it's Oh so wonderful all at the same time.

Park area that lines the Wimberley Blue Hole

The park that flanks the creek is lined with an Austin stone walkway peppered with picnic tables cut from large Austin stone boulders.  Native grasses and plants line the walkway. There's an open grassy section in the center where swimmers lay out their blankets (be sure to bring one), towels, coolers and picnic treats.  Entrance to the park is $8/adults and $4/children and is worth every penny.  Get there early...like before the gates open (10am Mon-Sat & 11am on Sunday) because the park controls how many people enter the Blue Hole area.  The park filled up to capacity during our visit, but it never seemed crowded.  

If you have the time, make a day out of visiting Wimberley.  Go swimming and then visit downtown to shop. You won't be disappointed.  The short drive out of Austin to this jewel of a swimming hole is worth it.