Beaches in Austin, Texas

Definitely one of the better-known beaches in the Austin area, Emma Long Park was once known as City Park and has long been a popular spot for Austin locals to gather and enjoy recreational and relaxing activities at weekends or special occasions.

Emma Long Park Beach sits snugly on the banks of Lake Austin and offers some breathtaking views of the local surroundings, as well as being equipped with some useful amenities and facilities like large parking lots and a long pier. Lots of boat traffic flows along this area, so it can be highly enjoyable to simply sit or stroll along the sand and watch the world go by. Emma Long Park Beach Map

You'll need to pay to access this Austin beach, but we think it's worth the price of admission and you will too when you see the magical views and excellent facilities all around the area. West Lake Beach is a very family-friendly beach, with lots of picnic areas and a safe, roped-off swimming zone right out in the waters of Lake Austin.

You won't find any lifeguards here, so parents will need to keep an eye on kids at all times, but the park is very safe and fun for people of all ages. You'll even find a volleyball court and a separate volleyball net set-up in the swimming area for games with friends. Be warned, however: this beach is sometimes reserved for private parties and special occasions, so it's important to get in touch before arrival to ensure that the beach is open. West Lake Beach Map

Located just off Grove Boulevard, Secret Beach is aptly named as many people, even long-time Austin residents, don't even know about the existence of this little hidden gem. It's actually quite hard to find, which explains why so few people have heard of it, but once you do find it for the first time, you'll definitely want to come back again and again in the future.

Secret Beach is a lovely spot to come with the kids, with a nice sloping bank of sand and shallow waters. Swimming is prohibited here but you can at least dip your feet in at the edge. Shelling is popular here and old-time beach activities like picnics and making sandcastles can be enjoyed at Secret Beach too. This is also a good spot to bring your furry friend, with no rules against dogs on this Austin beach.

If you don't mind driving a short way outside of Austin, Lake Pflugerville Beach is undoubtedly worth the detour. Situated out in Pflugerville, this large lake is perfect for all kinds of recreational activities from kayaking and canoeing to windsurfing and fishing.

There are three miles of hiking trails to be enjoyed, a play area for the kids, boat launching facilities, picnic areas, and a long stretch of sand for fun and games. The sand here is composed of lots of tiny rocks, so it can feel a little rougher than the sort of sand you might find at other Austin beaches, but this minor setback is vastly outweighed by the huge list of advantages at Lake Pflugerville Beach Map.

If you're looking for an Austin beach that's off the beaten track, head on over to McKinney Falls State Park. Some gorgeous scenery can be found all around this park and there are lots of stunning scenic trails to follow and natural sights to be seen. Multiple beaches can be found in McKinney Falls State Park, mostly made up of soft, smooth pebbles that are just right for skimming across the waters of the falls. All visitors aged 12 and above will need to pay an entrance fee, but you can have a full day of fun here and really get a lot of value for your cash.

Nestled in the gorgeous Travis County, the Milton Reimers Ranch Park is a great option for beach getaways near Austin, Texas. Just a short drive from Austin, the park is the largest acquisition of the county and is home to many recreational activities for visitors of all ages. To get to the beach, visitors have to trek about a mile to the river as there is no parking by the beach itself.

While the waters are calm, it can get quite deep in some areas, so families visiting with younger children are encouraged to bring floaties for safety. Additionally, guests should expect a rocky beach, so water shoes are highly recommended. In addition to swimming and fishing, guests can enjoy barbecuing at the beach while the park as a whole offers a number of activities like hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and birding.

Address: Milton Reimers Ranch Park, 23610 Hamilton Road, Dripping Springs, Texas 78620, Phone: 512-264-1923

Capitalize on 211 acres of lovely beach and recreation inside central Texas’ stunning hill country when you visit Bob Wentz Park. Home to the quiet and serene shores of Lake Travis, visitors to Bob Wentz Park can enjoy a full day of swimming, sunbathing, and so much more thanks to the many activities and amenities available in the area. Head to the barbecue grills to enjoy a picnic feast, or settle at one of the covered picnic tables with your prepacked meals.

At the lake, visitors can enjoy SCUBA diving opportunities, windsurfing, canoeing, sailing, and kayaking. Meanwhile, the beach has great sand volleyball courts for a friendly game between family and friends.

Address: Bob Wentz Park, 7144 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas 78732

Barton Springs Pool is undeniably one of Austin’s most prized natural possessions. The pool, which is a whopping 3-acres large, lies within the 358-acre Zilker Park and entices guests from near and far to come and experience the relaxing underground springs at any time of the year.

The pool at Barton Springs can be as deep as 18 feet and average a temperature of 68 to 70 degrees. When guests are done at the hot springs, they can visit Splash, an educational exhibit located right across the Barton Springs Pool bathhouse, to learn about the history of the springs, or they can search for the illusive and endangered Barton Springs Salamander.

Address: Barton Springs Pool , 2201 William Barton Drive, Austin, Texas 78746, Phone: 512-974-6300

Hippie Hollow Park is certainly true to its name. It’s the only public park in the entire state of Texas that maintains a long-standing tradition of being clothing optional. First-time visitors may be shocked to see people lounging around in their birthday suits, but the real eye-catching feature of the park is its beach.

Though rocky, swimming is an enjoyable experience at the park with generally mild waters and clean surroundings. The swimming area is cordoned off by a line of safety buoys for the safety of guests. In addition to its water activities, Hippie Hollow Park is a great place to forage for Zebra Mussels which are commonly found along the shoreline.

Address: Hippie Hollow Park, 7000 Comanche Trail, Austin, Texas 78732

A short drive to the west of Austin, the Pedernales Falls State Park is a fantastic recreational destination for those who are adventurous at heart. Home to the Pedernales River, this state park is popular amongst overnight campers who want to relax and recharge their social and mental batteries while gazing at the stars. Accessing the river at Pedernales Falls State Park is a feat in itself as it requires a difficult hike up a quarter mile of steep rock stairs. At the end of the hike, however, is a rewarding dip in a serene river surrounded by limestone slabs and lush greenery.

Address: Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, Texas 78636, Phone: 830-868-7304