May 2023

SWIMMING

GUADALUPE RIVER STATE PARK

WITH FOUR MILES of river frontage along the blue-green Guadalupe, there are plenty of spots to swim at this Hill Country park. Toss in your tube, kayak the paddling trail or splash around beneath the bending boughs of cypress trees. Plus, the boulders in the river and the gravel shoreline offer prime spots to sun yourself like a lizard.

Balmorhea State Park

Balmorhea, said to be the world’s largest spring-fed pool, is a 25-foot-deep oasis in the West Texas desert with a popular high diving board. Swimmers and divers enjoy the clear spring water that remains between 72 and 76 degrees all year.

Garner State Park

Almost three miles of the spring-fed Frio River — where George Strait learned to swim, as he sings in All My Exes Live in Texas — wind through Garner’s 1,774 acres of scenic Hill Country terrain.

Lake Tawakoni State Park

The park at Lake Tawakoni provides more than five miles of lakeshore an hour’s drive east of Dallas, providing ample space for swimmers to spread out. Stay late in the day to enjoy a lakeside sunset.

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston Island fills the need for those who prefer a salty swim. Splash on the shore or play in the waves for a classic beach experience. Take a break from the water to watch birds or build a sandcastle.