The carful of kids love to travel and explore new places outside of our home state of Texas but the kids are back in school. Since it’s still hotter than a firecracker, we load up in the SUV to check out some legendary Central Texas swimming holes.
Located in Spicewood, Texas, Krause Springsisabout 30 miles west of Austin and is the home of Willie Nelson. The 115-acre property has been in the Krause Family for over 50 years.
With 32 springs on the property, there’s enough water for a man-made pool and then a natural swimming hole. The spring water eventual makes it Lake Travis.
We enter the little piece of paradise in Central Texas withbutterfly gardens and huge Cypress trees. It’s shady and lush, such a relief from the Texas summer heat. We park our stuff at a shaded picnic table and head for the main attraction.
Natural Swimming Pool at Krause Springs
The natural pool is a traditional swimming hole, rope swing included. The carful of kids decide today is the day that they’re taking the plunge into the age-old tradition.
My oldest son is first in line and firmly grabs the rope and lets it rip only to forget to let go. My daughter is not going to be outmaneuvered by her little brother, she drops in shoes and all.
I sit on the limestone rocks at the edge of the natural pool and blow up my air mattress until I’m dizzy. Before I can get it into the water, the carful of kids are asking to use it.
Where were you guys earlier this morning when Mom was loading the car? That’s right you were watching cartoons. Mom’s going to use her air mattress alone.
Since I’m a Mom, I ended up paddling my youngest around in the water as he sits on my air mattress.
Speaking of the water, it’s a constant 68F year-round and it takes a few minutes to adjust. To the carful of kids, it’s all part of the fun. We paddle around and swim for a bit before the kids decide they’re hungry–just about the time Mom starts to relax.
Man-Made Pool at Krause Springs
After lunch we decide to try out the man-made pool.It’s shaded, not too crowded and super clean. The carful of kids take turns jumping off the rock wall at the deep end.
It’s not the largest spring fed pool we have seen, that honor belongs to Balmorhea Springs Pool in Toyahvale, Texas.
We hiked around the property to see more of the springs, a few waterfalls and the beautiful butterfly garden full of wind chimes. Find century-old cypress trees with open cavities that kids can climb in a photo.
Camping at Krause Springs
If you want to make it a weekend, bring the RV or pack a tent. Krause Springs offers primitive camping and 24 RV sites with electricity and water.
Krause Springs features clean and modern bathrooms. I found flush toilets, sinks and showers though the showers use fresh spring water. And the water isn’t heated.
Camping is charged per person, $15 for adults, over 12 and $10 for kids 4 to 11 and no charges for little kids under 3. RV sites are $15.
Know Before You Go
Located at 424 Krause Springs Road, Krause Springs is far enough out of Austin to keep the crowds down and close enough to make it a great day trip. Open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Once you pass the newly developed Bee Caves area, the food gets sparse. So load up a cooler insteadto feed the kids for the day.
Krause Springs acceptsCASH ONLY. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for kids four to eleven and kids four and under are free.
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