From beautiful turquoise waters to incredible limestone cascades, there is a beach for everyone in Austin and even the surrounding areas.
The beaches in Austin can get quite busy, and it’s not unusual for people from all over the US to flock to them, but because Austin is so big, there are plenty of beaches to go around!
If you have never been to Austin before and you’re looking for a beautiful beach to go to during the summer, then you’ve come to the right place!
We will be taking a look at 15 absolutely incredible beaches that you can find in Austin and the surrounding areas!
15 Absolutely Incredible Beaches In Austin & The Surrounding Areas
From campsites on beaches all the way to beautiful limestone cliffs, there really is so much variety to the beaches around Austin.
There is something for everyone to enjoy and most beaches are quite easy to get to.
If you want to change it up a bit for summer this year, checking out these beautiful because in Austin is definitely a good way to spend your time!
Once you visit some of these beaches for the first time, you will find yourself returning to them every single year.
1. Hippie Hollow
Kicking off this list, we have a beach that is more catered towards adults than it is to children.
Hippie Hollow is actually the only legally recognized nudist beach in all of Texas and it’s not a conventional beach by any stretch of the imagination!
Getting to the beach isn’t exactly easy either as you will have to go through a bit of a steep climb to actually get to the water, but once you are there, it’s absolutely worth it! Once you reach the rocky shoreline, there is plenty of room for you to spread out, swim, and catch some sun.
The views are absolutely breathtaking as well, and it’s the perfect place to relax and immerse yourself in nature. It can get quite busy at Hippie Hollow, but it’s definitely worth a trip if you get the chance!
You will have to pay a small fee to go to Hippie Hollow, but once you pay you get a full-day pass for the beach and park!
2. Lake Pflugerville
You can find Lake Pflugerville about 30 minutes outside of Austin, and it’s definitely worth the drive! It’s actually a man-made reservoir, but people enjoy using it as a beach.
There are so many activities in which you can take part in at Lake Pflugerville, some of the most popular include hiking, swimming, and fishing.
This is a super family-friendly location, so if you’re looking for a fun day out at the beach for your family, this is a great location to try.
There is honestly so much to do at this location. If you love watersports, then there are options for you to canoe, kayak, stand-up paddleboard, and even windsurf!
There is also a 3-mile walking/jogging route, as well as a picnic area and playground.
Lake Pflugerville is more of a pebble beach than a sandy beach, so it’s in your best interest to bring along some protective footwear when you go!
3. Barton Springs Pool
If you’re looking for something that is both convenient and fun, then you definitely need to check out Barton Springs Pool.
This whole area is actually located in the center of the city, and it is absolutely littered with beautiful swimming spots.
The whole area that is Barton Springs Pool used to be used by Native American tribes for water purification rituals, and they considered the area to be sacred.
Once you see it for yourself, you will understand why! Though it is situated in the city center, it’s still incredibly beautiful.
The park in which Barton Springs is located is filled with lots of other activities as well, so if you have enough time, make sure you explore the surrounding area.
This is a great place to go with the family, especially if you want to spend the day at the beach, but you can’t really leave Austin!
4. Sandy Creek Park
If you’re looking for a beach that is a bit more open, then you will love Sandy Creek Park. You will actually find this beach on the banks of Lake Travis, and the views are absolutely breathtaking.
There are lots of dense forests which open up onto the banks, where you will find lots of people swimming and boating.
If you fancy a hike while you’re in the area, there are beautiful hiking trails that you can check out.
There are also some campsites dotted around the area that operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you fancy spending a night in the great outdoors, this is a fantastic location to use.
Sandy Creek Park actually has “quiet hours” which are enforced after 10 pm, which makes the whole area even more peaceful.
You do have to pay for access to the park and the campsites, but it’s totally worth it for a fantastic day or weekend out with the family.
5. McKinney Falls State Park
If views are really important to you, then McKinney Falls State Park is going to take your breath away!
This location is only 15 minutes away from the city center and it is filled with some of the best and most accessible beaches in all of Austin!
While you are enjoying your time at one of the many beaches, don’t forget to check out the actual waterfalls which this park is named after.
There are both deep and shallow spots around the waterfalls, so if you are brave enough, you can take a plunge!
If you aren’t much of a thrill-seeker though, there are plenty more relaxing activities you can take part in.
There are plenty of hiking trails all over the park, mountain bike trails, and lots of campsites for you to choose from.
McKinney Falls State Park is a great place to go when you want a beach day with a little extra flare!
6. Milton Reimers Ranch Park
This is a great beach to go to if you’re looking for a classic sandy beach where you can relax in the sun.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park can be found 40 minutes from downtown Austin, and the drive is absolutely worth it!
This is actually a riverside beach that has plenty of activities to take part in once you’re there.
The whole family will enjoy this park because there is something for everyone to do. Whether you want to sunbathe or go for a swim, you won’t get bored at this park.
The beach is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Milton Reimers Ranch Park.
Some of the other popular activities you can take part in here include mountain biking and rock climbing, and there are plenty of places for you to go on a hike too.
7. Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park is a 5,212-acre state park that is full of activities for you and the whole family to enjoy.
If you’re looking exclusively for beaches, the state park has some of the most beautiful ones you will find.
While the beaches are more rocky than sandy, they are filled with natural swimming spots and the surrounding forests just make the whole experience even more relaxing.
You can catch plenty of sun in the park as well, so if sunbathing is important to you, you won’t have to miss out.
As for other activities, there is so much for you to choose from. You can hike, kayak, canoe, swim, and much more! This is the perfect location to take the whole family.
The waterfalls themselves are an absolute site to see as well. There are limestone boulders all around the falls and the water falls off them gracefully.
It’s only a 30-minute hike to the waterfalls too, so you don’t have to travel too far!
8. Russell Park Beach
This beach is only 50 minutes away from downtown Austin and it’s a great beach to go to if you want to immerse yourself in nature.
It’s a pebble beach rather than a sandy beach, but it’s still just as relaxing. If you fancy going for a swim, there is a wonderful swimming area on the beach that you can make use of.
If you are a fan of hiking, then you will love this beach! There is a 26-mile hiking trail available to the public and there is also a bike trail that you can make use of.
The area is incredibly diverse in its scenery too, so along with the beach, you also have woodlands, grasslands, and other places to explore.
9. Hamilton Pool Preserve
If you’re looking for a beach that has absolutely stunning views, then you definitely need to check out the Hamilton Pool Preserve!
This location has a natural swimming pool with turquoise waters and looks like something straight out of a fantasy movie.
You will need to go on a short hike to find this pool, but once you get there, you will be so thankful you made the journey.
There is also a 50-foot waterfall you will see as soon as you get there and it is absolutely breathtaking.
While this may not be a beach that you are used to, it’s definitely one of the more unique and magical places on this list!
10. Bob Wentz Park
Bob Wentz Park can be found along the Colorado River and it is incredibly scenic.
It’s a beach that is perfect for water sports lovers of all kinds because there are so many options to choose from!
Whether you want to windsurf, sail, or even scuba dive, there are plenty of different water sports for you to choose from!
Because it is such a beautiful area, you will feel completely relaxed and at peace while you take part in your activities.
If you don’t really like water sports though, there are plenty of other things you can do!
You can check out The Point which is a sandy peninsula and sunbathe, or you can go for a swim because the water is easily accessible.
You do have to pay to get into Bob Wentz Park, but it’s very affordable and makes for a great day out for the whole family.
What makes it even better is that it’s only 30 minutes away from downtown Austin, so it’s really easy to get to.
11. Mansfield Dam Park
Mansfield Dam Park is a great place to check out because the views from both below water and above it are super impressive.
The swimming area is refreshing and clean and the perfect place to cool off when it’s warm outside.
If you enjoy scuba diving, there is plenty to see under the water too.
There are four underwater dive platforms you can use, each varying in depth and there is a whole underwater trail where you will find sunken boats, historic dam construction materials, and geological attractions!
There are also lots of hiking and biking trails back on land that is extremely scenic and relaxing.
12. Emma Long Metropolitan Park
You will find Emma Long Metropolitan Park 25 minutes from downtown Austin, right in the middle of the Hill Country.
While it is a metropolitan park, there are plenty of places within where you can stick your toes into the sand and take a swim!
If you like to get out in your kayak or canoe, there is enough room on the water for you to bring it along.
If you’d prefer to stick to the land though, there are over 12 miles of absolutely beautiful hiking and biking trails.
13. Roy Guerrero Park
Roy Guerrero Park is home to a beach known as the Secret Beach and it is a perfect location to go to if you want to relax.
This beach is an open area with sandy beaches, surrounded by trees. It’s an ideal spot for anyone who wants to get away from the city.
You can’t swim at this beach, but the views alone are worth the trip!
This is a pet-friendly beach as well, so if you have a dog and you want to take them somewhere new, you should definitely give Roy Guerrero Park a try!
14. Volente Beach Water Park
You can find Volente Beach Water Park not too far away from Austin, and it is a great location to take your kids to.
Not only do you get a beautiful sandy beach here, but there is also a lively water park for you to check out.
The water park is home to lots of different things, some of which include waterslides, a pirate-themed kiddie play area, a volleyball court, and a restaurant.
While this is a bit more touristy than some of the other options on this list, it’s great if you just want some good old fun with your family.
15. Pace Bend Park
And finally, we have Pace Bend Park. It can be found on the shoreline of Lake Travis and it stretches on for about 8 miles.
This is a great beach to check out if you want a fun day out with your family.
There are plenty of activities for you to try, some of which include a boat ramp, a rope swing, biking and hiking trails, geocaching spots, and fishing coves.
Conclusion
There are plenty of beaches in Austin and the surrounding areas, and once you check out there beaches for yourself, you will find yourself visiting them again and again.
Next time you want to go to the beach, go explore some of these locations!
