Swimming is a popular activity in Texas state parks. Most of the parks have a natural lake or a river with a dedicated swimming area. Three of the parks even have their own parts of the beach where you can swim in the Gulf of Mexico. However surprisingly few of the Texas state parks have an actual swimming pool.
The best pool is the one at Balmorhea State Park, which has fish.
Swimming pools at state parks often require a specific reservation and an additional entrance fee from the rest of the park. Make reservations in advance, because these popular swimming pools can reach capacity.
Dogs are not allowed in the pool or in the areas around the swimming pools.
Abilene State Park
The swimming pool at Abilene State Park has an iconic red sandstone building. The pool was built by the CCC in the 1930’s.
Balmorhea State Park
The swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park is a very unique pool. It was built by the CCC and is fed with natural spring water and has fish in the water. Due to the natural spring water, the pool stays nice and cool even in hot weather.
The pool gets up to 25 feet deep. It is so deep that they even let people practice scuba diving in the pool.
There is no additional fee to swim in the pool beside the admission to the park. There is an extra fee for scuba diving.
Bastrop State Park
The pool at Bastrop State Park requires reservations and an additional fee.
The pool has lap lanes, and a dedicated lap swimming time. The pool also has free swimming which can be reserved for two hours at a time.
Indian Lodge
Indian Lodge is a hotel operated in the Davis Mountains State Park. The hotel is currently closed for renovations. The hotel has a swimming pool.
Lockhart State Park
The swimming pool at Lockhart State Park requires an additional ticket and reservation, which should be made in advance. The pool has a dedicated lap swimming time, and blocks of free swimming time that can be reserved.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park
The swimming pool atLyndon B. Johnson State Park is closed for maintenance.