4 Best Places To Cool Off This Summer in San Antonio
The days are longer and the temperatures are climbing, and those are prime swimming conditions. Here in central Texas, you have a lot of great places to go for a dip and some R&R. Take a look at our picks for top-notch swimming spots in and around San Antonio.
San Pedro Springs Park
You don’t have to travel far to find a great swimming spot. Right here in midtown San Antonio, a skip and a jump west of San Antonio College, you’ll find San Pedro Springs Park. With a history dating back to the 18th century, San Pedro Springs is the second-oldest park in the country. Only Boston Common, established in the 1630s, is older.
At the center of the park is the spring-fed pool, built over what was once a lake bed. The pool and the rest of the park are free to the public. If you want to take a break from the water, consider going for a leisurely stroll on the well-lit trail along the perimeter. There are also plenty of open spaces for picnics.
Address: To get to San Pedro Springs Park, go to 2200 N. Flores here in San Antonio, Texas. Head toward the center of the park to find the swimming area.
Contact: Call 210-732-5992 to get in touch with an official or representative from San Pedro Springs Park.
Availability: Like most of San Antonio’s city parks, San Pedro Springs Park is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. The access hours to the pool may differ and vary. Calling ahead to determine these hours is advisable.
Landa Park
Travel northeast on I-35 for about 30 miles and you’ll reach New Braunfels, home of Landa Park. Here, visitors can enjoy not one but four separate swimming areas. The Landa Park Aquatic Complex consists of a spring-fed pool, an Olympic pool, and a “zero-depth pool” designed for people under 5-feet tall. The fourth area is the Comal River, just outside of the park, where you can float a tube rented from the City Tube Chute.
Daily admission fees for the aquatic complex range from $4 to $7. The facility offers swim lessons, party packages, and private rentals as well. The City Tube Chute has a daily fee of $5 and tube rental for $7, plus a refundable $15 deposit.
Location: Find Landa Park at 164 Landa Park Drive in New Braunfels, Texas. To get to the City Tube Chute, go to 100 Liebscher Drive.
Contact: The phone number for Land Park is 830-221-4350. For the City Tube Chute, call 830-608-2165.
Availability: Landa Park opens at 6 a.m. and closes at midnight. The aquatic complex opens for the season on May 28, 2022, and may specify its own hours.
Garner State Park
Image via Flickr by cielokatie Licensed CC BY 2.0
A little farther away, northwest of San Antonio, is Garner State Park. Located in Concan, Texas, this is a popular place to find respite from the heat. Almost 3 miles of the Frio River curve along the park’s edge. As you might have guessed from the name of the river — frio meaning ‘cold’ in Spanish — the spring-fed waters of the stream are refreshingly cool, the perfect counter against the summer conditions in Texas. Jump right in and cool off, or rent an inner tube, kayak, paddleboat, stand-up paddleboard, or large floating island from the Boat House.
You can take your time enjoying the waters of the river if you camp overnight. There are lodging options in addition to campsites and screened shelters, with prices accommodating all ranges. The next day, you can check out the 16 miles of gorgeous trails through the park. If you’re lucky, your stay will coincide with one of the park’s many events, such as a guided hike or hayride. If you get hungry, grab a bite at the Garner Grill or ice cream shop.
Of course, you’re also welcome to stop in just for the day, cool down, have fun, and head home. The entrance fee is only $8 for visitors aged 13 and up. Those under 13 enter for free.
Location: Garner State Park is at 234 RR 1050 in Concan, Texas.
Contact: Speak with a representative of the park by calling 830-232-6132.
Availability: Garner State Park is open daily, year-round, with operating hours from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Specific facilities and operators within the park may have their own hours.
Blanco State Park
This time, let’s look north to Blanco State Park in Blanco, Texas. A 50-mile drive takes you to this popular scenic spot that rests against a meander of the Blanco River. The park provides access to a one-mile stretch of the river. Swimming is permissible anywhere along the river. A popular spot is Falls Dam, located at the point of a natural waterfall. The dam features a footpath across the top and a wading pool nearby. You can rent tubes and kayaks at the park store
Another common activity at Blanco is fishing. The Frio River is home to bass, sunfish, and trout at most times of the year. If you don’t have your own rod or reel, you can always borrow one from the park’s headquarters. Visitors to the park may fish from shore license-free.
Here, too, you can consider camping out overnight so you have time to enjoy the full majesty of the area. Electrified campsites are available for just $20 per night, and full-hookup campsites go for $23 and $25. Alternatively, you can rent a screened shelter for $30 per night.
For day visits, the entrance fee is only $5 for visitors aged 13 and up. Younger visitors enter for free.
Location: The location of Blanco State Park is 101 Park Road 23 in Blanco, Texas.
Contact: If you have any questions or would like to reserve a campsite or shelter, call 512-389-8900.
Availability: Blanco State Park, too, is open all year. The park’s hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park store, where you can rent tubes and kayaks, provides rentals from 9 a.m to 2 p.m. and accepts returns of equipment up to 4 p.m.
Those are recommendations for swimming in San Antonio. What do you think of our list? Give us a call at 210-960-8531 or shoot us a message through our contact page to share your thoughts. Also, if you’re interested in cruising up to your destination in style, consider visiting our dealership at 8606 I-35 South to get an up-close look at our selection of new Nissans or our used inventory. Whatever you’re looking for in your next vehicle, we’d love to help you find it.