Passport to Texas

Fun in the water at state parks.

Swimming Opportunities at State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Don’t hunker down indoors with the air conditioning running this summer. Get outside to a state park and cool off. Many parks offer a refreshing alternative to air-conditioned cabin fever with a number of swimming opportunities…

Public swimming pools can be fun, but if you prefer a more natural setting, float your cares away at Blanco State Park, 40 miles north of San Antonio. Although it got hit hard by floods in 2015, the water’s fine. Here you’ll find cool, clear, spring-fed swimming for anyone seeking refuge from the long Texas summer.

Just 10 miles north of Beaumont is Village Creek State Park, and a free-flowing stream, popular with tubers and paddlers. [Due to recent flooding, swimming is not allowed]

About one hour from Fort Worth, Dinosaur Valley State Park allows visitors to swim in the same Paluxy River where dinosaurs roamed 113-million years ago.

Garner State Park near Uvalde is home to 10 acres of Frio riverfront, giving visitors plenty of space to swim the clear water, scoot the rapids in inner tubes, or even rent pedal boats.

Find listings of river and creek swimming sites at state parks when you log onto texassrtateparks.org. You’ll also find a list of sites with lake swimming, and even some with ocean swimming. When taking a dip in natural setting, always use caution. Find safety tips on the Parks and Wildlife website. And don’t forget your sunscreen!

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife, I’m Cecilia Nasti.