In this article:
• Wild fun: Waco Surf
• Luxurious & new: WorldSprings
• Oldie but goodie: Burgers Lake
• Hill Country mainstays: Barton Springs Pool & Deep Eddy Pool
• Glow-in-the-dark: Get Up And Go Kayaking
Summer is a time for adventure with our kids, and in the Texas heat, it’s into the pool we go. But with so many choices for where to swim—area pools and waterparks abound in DFW—we were inclined to seek out the prettiest, truest blue waters around Texas. These below are some of our favorite swimming holes and cool spots—from spring-fed lakes to luxurious pools—to swim, dive and even surf with your kids.
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Waco Surf
About an hour and a half south of DFW, this water resort is a surfer’s paradise. There’s no age restriction for surfing in their massive wave pool, but you must be a strong swimmer. Luckily, kids can try out the slower “Coaster” area to work on balance and other basics. For you or your littles who prefer lessons first, the Beginner Academy starts at $29, and there’s no fee for parents to watch from the sidelines.
Even more options for water recreation open daily May 10–September 7, 2025. Kids 6 and up can suit up for the cable park and book a 1-hour wake academy to get to know the ropes.
And if surfing or boarding isn’t your cup of sweet tea, try the wedge slides (it’s a steep drop that’s a major thrill), and this summer Waco Surf is also soon introducing Lil’ Wedgies. These new mini slides empty into a shallow pool, so they’re great for your littlest kids. And for parents who want a lazier day, there’s the lazy river. Grab a tube (with headrests and drink holders) and float the mile-long, slow-moving river for a gentler day on the water.
They offer a variety of passes, so generally you’re able to do only the activities you want to pay for. And for the slides and lazy river access, you’ll need the Water Park day pass: $39 for adults, $14 for children 6–16; kids 5 and younger are free. For two adults coming with two kids? The $99 family package is the best deal.
Waco Surf is also a great venue for its cooler-friendly policy. Bring a cooler with your own food and drinks, if you wish, or eat at one of several snack shacks. Want to make it a weekend trip? Book a stay in the Surfside hotel or cabins.
Location: 5347 Old Mexia Road, Waco, Texas
Learn more: wacosurf.com
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WorldSprings
Now, a little luxury closer to home. The new WorldSprings opened last summer at Grandscape as the only destination in Dallas for mineral hot springs—with not one but 46 pools. Here the water is always warm (unless you go for a cold plunge), and while this is an ideal spot for parents to come for a relaxing soak in the adults-only zones or a massage or sauna session (Dad, keep this in mind for a Mother’s Day gift), perhaps one of the lesser-known demographics is kids.
All ages are welcome in WorldSprings’ South Pacific Region, with the freshwater Globe Pool at its center. This is one of the largest pools on-site and easy to spot with the stone sphere. Kids 5 and up are welcome in the South Pacific’s 10 mineral pools, softened with magnesium, potassium and bicarbonate. And services, like the complimentary towels and ordering drinks poolside, make it easier to go with littles.
To visit, book your reserved time online for a 3-hour visit. Admission is as low as $39 for adults and $15 for children; under 3 free. Decide to stay longer? Stay up to 6 hours for an additional $15. Note that WorldSprings will be closed May 12–15, 2025 for maintenance.
Location: 3240 Plano Parkway, The Colony, Texas
Learn more: 844/476-2546; worldsprings.com
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Burgers Lake
On the opposite side of DFW, this spring-fed swimming hole in Fort Worth is an oldie but a goodie for nearly 100 years. The lake has a max depth of 20 feet, a sandy bottom, and sand beaches. The owners drain the lake every winter, so rest assured it’s nice and clean, and nothing will nibble on your toes.
It’s one of the few pools left with springboards. Generations have been doing flips off the several diving boards of varying heights, so your kids can venture to which they want. It’s quite the experience to join the crowd in cheering for hesitant youngsters summoning the bravery to make a big jump.
There are racing slides and even a trapeze swing that launches you into the water. Out of the water, there’s a jump pillow for the kids to bounce out the rest of their energy, as well as a sand volleyball and basketball courts and camping sites too, which you can reserve online.
Bring your own cooler with your own drinks and food, or grab some eats (fair-type food like burgers and ice cream from the on-site snack bar.) Burger’s Lake reopens starting May 24, 2025 and will be open 9am–7pm through the summer. A day pass is $20 for all ages, or get an unlimited season pass for $150.
Location: 1200 Meandering Road, Fort Worth, Texas
Learn more: 469/805-0270; burgerslake.com
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Barton Springs Pool
One of my own earliest memories is wading in the water at this very pool, and it’s also at the heart of many a Texan. The Edwards aquifer feeds this long, three-acre swimming pool at Austin’s Zilker Park, so the water is clear blue/green to the bottom and, notably, quite chilly. Bring wax to plug your kids’ ears so sensitive babes don’t catch a cold like my husband did on our last visit.
Even so, it’s absolutely worth going at least once in your life. A single diving board is all the play equipment there is, but you’re welcome to bring inflatables (glitter-free) in the shallow areas. The surrounding slopped lawns provide plenty of place to lay out your towels.
The pool is open daily year-round, except on Thursdays from 9am–7pm for cleaning. The pool can get busy during the summer and there’s no max capacity, so the easiest way to get in quickly is to pay in advance through the app or online portal and have your receipt ready to show. Admission is $9 for adults, $4 for kids, under 1 free. Note that the bathhouse will close for renovation starting June 10, but you can use the temporary facilities right next door.
Location: 2131 William Barton Dr., Austin, Texas
Learn more: 512/974-6300; austintexas.gov
Deep Eddy Pool
If it’s too busy at Barton Springs and you’re looking for a more peaceful spot, drive over to the Deep Eddy, an equally significant spot in Austin thanks to its claim as the oldest swimming pool in Texas, circa 1915. This manmade swimming pool is also naturally spring-fed (read: no chlorine). It’s as much of a draw for lap swimmers as it is for young families, thanks to the separate areas with lanes and a zero-depth entry into the shallow play pool. Plus, it connects to a trail around Lady Bird Lake. Admission is the same as at Barton Springs, and open daily except first Tuesdays monthly.
Location: 401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin, Texas
Learn more: 512/974-1189; austintexas.gov
Glow-in-the-Dark Float with Get Up And Go Kayaking
Want to flip the “daytime swim” routine on its head? Rent a clear, LED-lit kayak and go for a nighttime tour with Get Up And Go Kayaking, available for sunset and glow-in-the-dark excursions in three Texas spots.
Locations:
• Grapevine Lake (ages 5 and up for daytime tours; 10 and up for sunset and glow tours)
• the San Marcos River (open to 6 and older)
• and on Austin’s Lady Bird Lake (all ages welcome).
Learn more: getupandgokayaking.com
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The Bottom Line:
Where I’d visit again: Waco Surf, now even more kid-friendly with their Lil’ Wedgies slides
Where I’ll bring out-of-town friends: Get Up And Go Kayaking, and definitely using a tandem kayak to lessen my anxiety about the dark
Where I’ll avoid: The spring-fed pools during any other season besides summer. You need that hot, hot weather to counter the cool, even cold, water.
Top image courtesy of Waco Surf
