Krause Springs Near Austin: A Texas Hill Country Swimming Escape
Updated: Oct 10
I had been hearing about Krause Springs for years.
Friends mentioned it the way people talk about places they want you to experience for yourself. A natural swimming hole in Spicewood Texas. A waterfall. A spring. A place just outside Austin where the water feels just right, the trees give shade, and the day can stretch longer than planned.
I tried to make it there more than once. One attempt even ended with us leaving Austin in the middle of a hurricane warning. So when spring 2026 finally brought me to Krause Springs, it felt like
I was arriving somewhere that had been waiting on my list for far too long.
And somehow, it was more magical than I expected.
We were already in the Austin area on a road trip, and Krause Springs was one of the experiences I knew I wanted to prioritize. I wanted to explore parts of Texas I had not seen before. And it was hot. The perfect day for a swim, rest, nature, a little adventure, and, of course, a beautiful story to bring home.
A Family Run Oasis in Spicewood
Krause Springs is a 115 acre camping and swimming site in Spicewood, Texas, known for its natural springs, swimming holes, camping areas, walking paths, and lush Hill Country landscape. The property has been privately owned and maintained by the Krause family for 2 generations, with its story tracing back to Elton Krause, who purchased the land in 1955.
What was once primarily a hog farm eventually became one of the most beloved natural swimming escapes in Central Texas. The property officially opened as a recreation site in 1958, and today it is known for its 32 natural springs, which feed into swimming areas before the water eventually drains toward Lake Travis.
That history won’t feel distant when you arrive.
I was greeted by Hugh Krause, one of the brothers who helps carry the property forward today alongside his brother, David Krause. I even had the chance to take a photo with them before leaving, which made the visit feel more personal. Krause Springs does not feel anonymously managed. It feels cared for by people who know the land because they have lived with it.
When I asked about the property, Hugh Krause said, “It’s been a long process. I’m talking about 65 years.”
That kind of time leaves a feeling behind.
The Garden Before the Water
The first thing that caught me was not the spring. It was the garden.
Before reaching the natural swimming area, we walked through a butterfly garden with winding stone paths, fountains, massive cypress roots, and wind chimes hanging throughout the trees. The chimes moved through the air like a soft sound therapy session. It immediately changed the feeling of arrival.
The experience did not begin with rushing to the water.
It began with listening.
There were little nooks where you could sit, talk, sky gaze, or simply pause before heading down toward the spring. The atmosphere felt friendly, relaxed, and local in the best way. Not overly polished. Not commercialized. Just loved, lived in, and shared.
The owners laughed about how the property is always evolving. “We normally have some kind of project going on to enhance the place,” they told me. Then, looking around at all the stonework, one of them added, “As you can tell, walking around, we like rock work.”
You can feel that care in the details.
The paths. The stones. The shaded corners. The way the property feels like it has been shaped slowly by people who kept adding to it year after year.
The First Look at the Water
The walk down to the natural spring area is where the day begins to shift.
Trees surround the water. Rock shapes the edges. The sound of people swimming mixes with the sound of falls. It smells like fresh water, wet stone, and barbecue.
For someone who had not seen a waterfall in person in far too long, the first view of Krause Springs took my breath away.
There is a man made pool on the upper level, which felt more kid friendly and easier to access. But the natural spring below is the heart of the experience. It is beautiful, rocky, slippery, and alive in a way that makes you pay attention to where you are placing your feet.
The property has a short walking path less than half a mile, but the terrain leading down to the natural spring can be steep, rugged, and slick from constant water flow and wet limestone. It is scenic, but it asks you to move with care.
Water shoes would not hurt. Flip flops are not ideal here. If you are bringing children, the upper pool may be the easier place to settle in, while the lower spring area is better suited for stronger swimmers and people comfortable navigating a more natural landscape.
The terrain almost forces you to slow down.
And maybe that is part of the point.
Cold Spring Water and a Rope Swing
The water was cool, refreshing, and exactly what the Texas heat called for. The spring water typically stays around 68 to 70 degrees, which makes the first touch feel startling in the best way, but comfortable after a minute or two.
I believe the best way to enter water is to go all in. Easing in slowly only gives your body more time to argue with the temperature. At Krause Springs, try jumping in.
There is a rope swing, and watching children jump from it with complete courage became one of my favorite parts of the day. They leapt like the water had already promised to catch them.
I hesitated longer than expected, especially watching children leap with such ease.
Watching little kids move with that much freedom reminded me how fearless we can be before adulthood teaches us to hesitate.
Eventually, I jumped too. And I was glad I did.
Krause Springs has a way of making people feel playful again. Swim. Float. Jump. Sit by the water. Watch someone else take the leap first. Then maybe take your own.
The Waterfall
The waterfall was freezing.
It was also my favorite part.
Standing beneath it felt almost spiritual. The current pressed against my shoulders and back with a force that felt cleansing, like the water was pulling the weight of the week out of my body. And that wasn’t a figure of speech. It genuinely felt like worry was being washed away.
A natural baptism.
Not in a formal religious sense, but in the way nature can sometimes make you feel renewed without needing to explain why.
That moment is what made Krause Springs worth writing about. Not just because it was beautiful, but because it reminded me that Texas still has places capable of surprising me. Places that can make you feel grounded, small, refreshed, and deeply alive.
A Day That Stretched Longer Than Planned
We stayed for more than five hours.
And somehow, it still did not feel long enough.
We brought food and snacks, set up a shaded spot, and let the day become exactly what it needed to be. Swimming. Lounging. Talking. Reading. Floating. Going back into the water. Sitting near the spring and letting time move without checking it every few minutes.
There are barbecue pits available in the day use area, and visitors can bring their own charcoal or firewood or purchase some on site. Glass is prohibited, which is important to know before packing. Ice was also available for purchase when we visited, and that made a difference on a hot day with cold drinks and snacks.
For a day like this, fruit, cheeses, crackers, small bites, plenty of water, and something to grill all make sense. A cooler is essential. Towels are essential. A blanket or chair makes the day easier. SPF should stay close. Bug spray is a bonus, though bugs were not a major issue for us while we were there.
The best part was that we did not rush.
We originally planned for a shorter visit, but the day kept extending itself. Every time leaving came up, the water and shade seemed to pull us back in.
That, more than anything, told me the place had worked on us.
A Place People Keep Returning To
Krause Springs has the rare feeling of a place people return to because it means something to them.
When I asked about how the property grew, the brothers described it as a long evolution. It started small, with locals coming out to swim, and grew over time as more people heard about it through magazines, newspapers, and eventually social media.
“It’s always been word of mouth,” they told me.
That felt fitting, because word of mouth is exactly how Krause Springs first reached me. Friends telling me I had to go. People from Houston talking about it like a Texas experience I was overdue to have. Travelers returning again and again because the place stays with them.
When I asked what the property means after all these years, one answer stayed with me.
“This place is what keeps me going,” said Hugh Krause.
That is not something you can manufacture. It is the sound of someone connected to land, memory, and responsibility.
And after spending a day there, I understood why people love it so much.
Who Should Visit Krause Springs
Krause Springs is for nature lovers.
It is for couples, families, friend groups, solo travelers, and anyone who loves natural swimming holes. It is especially worth visiting if you live in Austin, are staying near Spicewood or Lake Travis, or are building a nature focused road trip through the Texas Hill Country.
I met solo travelers who had been returning to Krause Springs because they loved it so much, and I understood why. The property has enough space to feel comfortable even when other people are there. It was busy when we visited, but not crowded in a way that ruined the experience.
Parking was easy, with a large lot on site. Restrooms were available. The upper areas were easier to navigate, while the lower natural spring area required more caution because of the rocks and slippery surfaces.
If you want a polished resort pool, this is not that. If you want a natural swimming experience with character, cold water, shade, history, and a little adventure, Krause Springs delivers.
How to Build a Nature Focused Austin Weekend
Although this visit was not part of our Udoscape trip, I would absolutely pair the two together.
Udoscape Eco-Glamping Resort in Lago Vista and Krause Springs in Spicewood make sense as part of the same nature focused Austin getaway. One gives you the elevated dome, the hot tub, the quiet morning, and the comfort of glamping. The other gives you cold spring water, waterfalls, rope swings, picnic snacks, and a full day outside.
Together, they create a version of the Austin area that is less about downtown and more about returning to the body.
Swim somewhere beautiful. Spend hours near the water. Then go back to a stay where the night can stay quiet.
That is a weekend I would recommend.
What to Know Before Visiting
Bring water shoes if you want grip on the rocks. Bring a cooler, towels, a blanket, snacks, sunscreen, and a swimsuit cover up if you plan to stay all day. Chairs can be helpful. A tent or shade setup can make the day much more comfortable.
About 40 minutes from downtown, Krause Springs near Austin makes an easy day trip for locals and a worthwhile addition to a Texas road trip.
Do not bring glass.
Pets and furry friends are strictly prohibited, with limited exceptions for service animals. This is important to know before planning your visit, especially if you are building a longer Austin area road trip.
Expect the natural spring area to be rocky, uneven, and slippery. Move carefully. The upper pool is better for families who want an easier swimming setup, while the lower spring is better for visitors who want the full natural water experience.
There are also camping areas on the property, including tent camping and RV sites with electricity, which makes Krause Springs more than a day use swimming stop. For visitors who want to stay longer, the property can become a full weekend outdoors.
Drone use was not allowed when I visited. While the landscape would be beautiful from above, Krause Springs is ultimately best experienced from ground level, with your feet on the rock and your body in the water.
Cold Water on a Hot Texas Day
By the time we left, I felt refreshed, grounded, and more connected to Texas than I had in a while.
Krause Springs reminded me how much of this state I have not explored yet. Living in Texas can make you take its beauty for granted, especially when you are used to driving past highways, suburbs, and city sprawl. But then you find yourself standing under a waterfall in Spicewood, feeling cold spring water rush over your shoulders, and suddenly Texas feels bigger again.
The beauty of this experience was not polish.
It was access. To water. To trees. To a place cared for across generations. To a day that let me feel adventurous, peaceful, and childlike all at once.
Krause Springs gave me one of those rare outdoor moments where the body understands before the mind does.
Stay a little longer.
Jump in.
Let the water do what it came to do.
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Editor’s Note: This visit took place in spring 2026. Hours, seasonal closures, entry fees, rules, and available amenities may change, so confirm current details directly with Krause Springs before planning your visit.
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