Barton Springs Pool

After being not allowed in the Barton Springs pool area due to having a service animal, we found our way to this area, which was maybe better anyway since it was free and dog friendly. It’s not as well kept as the other are (or really maintained at all), but it does have kayaks, paddle boards, and other features the pool does not… so that’s a win.

I’m kind of surprised that there isn’t a lot of reviews for this place. I personally haven’t been to Barton Springs proper in over 20 years. I’ve been dying to find a place in the area where I can swim with my dog Samuel. He’s pretty hesitant when it comes to water and I know he can swim it just takes a little more support and guidance. My friend said that she had brought her dog her several times so I told her we should go together. We parked in the lot where there was a playground and I think where the train runs through. Then we were able to walk down the stairs and into the open area. There wasn’t a lot of people or pups there so we were able to find a nice spot to put our stuff down and walk into the water. Everyone was nice, dogs were playful and it was pretty clean. There’s lots of people that come through on kayaks or paddle boards, park and hang out. The water is pretty chilly as expected but on a hot day it’s perfect. The water is clear and you can where you are walking. There are some parts that are slippery with algae but some of the rocks make a great place to sit and hangout. I’m so glad that I got to bring my dog down here and I can’t wait to come back.

Youll find us here almost every sunday swimming or kayaking. Bring an ice chest. 15 $ an hr for kayak rental, cash only. Dogs welcome

Nice place for hang out with your friends, family in a really hot day, and if you have dogs this is the spot. We have a 8 moths pup and he absolutely loves it. We love the option to swim here and go to zilker afterwards. It’s a really cute and beautiful natural place.

After spending a couple hours running the trail or hanging out at Zilker Park, this [free] portion of Barton Springs is the perfect spot to bring our dogs to cool off. It’s a little deep in some areas but for the most part the cool, refreshing water will come up to your waist. The rocks can be a little rough and/​or slippery so I usually keep my sandals on just to be safe.
The only negative thing I have to say about the downstream area is the need for dogs to be on leashes. There were 15 – 20 dogs swimming and splashing around, not bothering anyone. The «police» showed up and demanded everyone leash up their dogs. This resulted in almost every single person with a dog leaving. I guess I don’t understand the point of having a spot where your dog can swim and play with other dogs, but need to be on a leash. As dog owners, we’re responsible for their actions and should be able to control any situation that arises.

first review after coming here for years. it’s gone downhill so fast it’s quite a disappointing sight. if you have a dog, you will LOVE it. if you have kids, you might love it. if you want to chill, have a cold beer, and maybe a smoke and cool off, you’re gonna have a bad time. dogs everywhere. i get it. i love dogs too. but dogs pissing and shitting in the water is disgusting. less than 1000 feet downstream are people SWIMMING in this water and dog owners show no remorse. they laugh it off like it’s all good. a dog knocked over my solo cup and the owner had nothing to say about it. if you want a better experience (but no access to your own cooler or wares) head over the fence to the pool. the vagabonds and drunkards will most likely keep out since there’s a fee to get in. won’t be coming back after many years of free fun in the sun.

Great place to bring your dogs for a swim! My pups loved cooling off in the cold water although it was definitely too cold for me to do much swimming with them. It is absolutely the ideal place to go to enjoy nature, relax, and enjoy the summer. I would definitely suggest waiting until later in the summer to go if you were wanting to get in the water, too.
There isn’t really any walking or hiking to do in this area which was unfortunate to find out. There also wasn’t a whole lot of room to actually swim. It is more so for people who just want to lay around and enjoy the sun– but, hey, there is nothing wrong with that! The dog area was a little crowded but my dogs loved being off leash in the water and playing with all the other pups! :)
This part of Barton Springs is referred to as the «free area» but just so you know, they do charge $ 5 for parking.

To me, this used to be a great place to play with your dogs, but I’ve stopped going here. The last time I went, there was a family fight going on near the trail that leads to the entrance, which involved a skinny white teenager with a mohawk ripping his shirt off (as in ripped it in half) and yelling at what appeared to be his mother while four or five other children either tried to break it up or sat in the grass spectating. Awesome to watch, but I didn’t really want my dogs accidentally involved in a redneck family feud. And weird altercations like this aren’t that uncommon. What are pretty obviously drug deals seem common place on one side of the pool, and there are always a couple of incredibly drunk guys lounging about. I don’t really enjoyed being leered at by creepy men or hit on by a guy missing a front tooth the minute my boyfriend runs back to the car for a tennis ball. On top of it, we’ve sadly had so little rain recently that it smells like dead fish and poop in this area. Until Barking Springs cleans up, I’ll find somewhere less shifty to take my dogs to swim.

Can anyone tell me exactly how to and where to park to get to the free dog Area of the Barton springs pool! Coming into town for the day and wanted to enjoy a nice day in the sun with my pup:)
Ryan

Great place with no entrance fee and few (if any) rules enforced, but would definitely not recommend bringing kids along on summer afternoons, especially during weekends. I went on a mid-​July Saturday around 4pm, and I knew to expect for it to be pretty packed, but there was entirely too many people — never know what to expect on a crowded, hot day. We walked past several drunk-​seeming guys, smokers and a TOPLESS lady of all things.
This is an awesome place to bring our furry friends, but beware crowded, chaotic summer afternoons, especially if you have kids!

What a great place to biring your dog on a hot day. The water is fed from Barton springs pool os its always cool and refreshing. Lots of other people will have thier dogs there too, so if yours is friendly then they should love this place where they get to play and splash around.

«What should we do today?»
«Dude, sorry to tell you this, but the question is what CAN we do today. It’s 9am and it’s 95 degrees out.»
«Oh… holy crap.»
«We can swim.»
«What? Where??»
My friend Joe and I were in Austin for a few days staying with a friend. That was our conversation the first morning we were there.
Supposedly Barton Springs is a crisp 63 °F year round, and it sure felt like it! We hung out all day, and with that scorching sun, it was perfect. Admittedly, I could only handle that kind of cold on a hot summer day.
Our first stop was Barton Springs. There had been thunder, so everybody was out of the water. I guess if there’s thunder or lightening, they close off the springs for 20 minutes. If there’s nothing for 20 minutes, they re-​open. If there ‘s more, they reset the clock.
We waited for 15 minutes, till our friend remembered that we can just go downstream.
What’s downstream?
No fees, no rules, all the fun.
The only downside is there’s no grassy hillsides to lounge on like Barton Springs, on the other side of the dam. There are rocks, dirt, and cement. So pad your butt with a towel or bring some lawn chairs. Every now and then I found myself standing by the fence, gazing over at the privileged folk on that soft, green grass. Three bucks of privilege. But hey, we got to play in the water while the thunder was rollin!
I didn’t notice any dog poop in the water, but we poured rubbing alcohol in our ears afterward just in case. Next time I’m in town this place is definitely on the list.

I went to the «free section» where dogs, trash and dog poop were welcome. I would come here for my dogs but not for myself. Water was too cold for my liking and I felt gross even getting waste deep with sandals on. Down stream they had canoe rentals and a rope swing which was cool. Didn’t check out the $ 3 human only section but I’m assuming its just as cold but cleaner. Meh

Was in Austin for a couple of days and looking for a place to cool off… This place is paradise. When I took a canoe down river to see downtown Austin, I have to say that it was worth the road trip stop just to come here and visit downstream and the springs. This is one place you cannot pass up.

Got dogs? Bring them here in Austin to enjoy the good outdoors and get a swim in. I am always amazed that every time we go there is never a fight, the dogs are to tired after a good swim and romp to give a darn about fighting.
Rent a Kayak, canoe or just float in a tube.
Great fun for the family.

It’s fun to take your dog to barking springs, but plenty of people give nasty looks with dogs swimming near by. Lol. The sign nearby says swim at your own risk. Down the way the water shallows then shears off and gets 8 – 10 feet deep. Also some canoes and kayaks to rent. Good catch and release fishing as well.
Speaking of Fish, I’ve seen some fish in the creek ranging in size from 1lb to closer 15lbs.
Great scenery and plenty of wildlife.
Police and park rangers are a plenty. The foot bridge over the creek makes a perfect spot to jump in, if you’ve got the cajones. I’ve seen it so many different colors. Clear blue to sandy teal. Always has one thing in common. The surface temp is between 60 – 70 degrees.

I brought the new furball here to see if he was interested in a swim. We are still in the process of learning about each other, so it was worth a shot.
Coming here on a damp day, mid week meant that it wasn’t very crowded at all. There were just a handful of swimming pooches. And there were plenty of rocks to take a seat on.
Turns out the furball had no intentions of jumping in for a swim, but he did enjoy watching the ducks, geese, and other dogs having fun.
Nice place to relax with your furry friend… and it’s FREE!

I’ll swim here if there’s nowhere else to go. I definitely prefer the greenbelt, if it has been blessed with water.
I don’t like how many dogs there are. People should have the right, of course, but it just so happens to make the outing less enjoyable for me. I have a pooch myself. Love his guts. But, you know, the same with other people’s kids…
I also think it’s too cold for my taste. Actually, much to cold for me. I’m getting pissed off right now just thinking about it. It makes we want to run around stomping on baby chicks. I keep telling myself, «they’re just big crickets,» to subside the guilt for such an action.

Barton Springs Downstream is the «dog friendly» side of Barton Springs and I likey cause I can swim with my choice of babies (four legged and furry:) there.
Minus a star cause every time we go there with Michelle C. & her pup Mindy we have an «incident» like Snakes in the Water or our dogs running from us to chase down the smell of reefer smoking homeless people and their fried chicken… Speaking of fried chicken I was once there when a homeless guy tried to woo me with Church’s Fried Chicken when his «date» did not show up. Yep it is that kind of place…

A pal of mine referred to this swimming hole as «Barkin Springs.» An apt name as it is a great place to take your dog and yourself for a swim. Water’s cold, and you can bring your beverage of choice.
Just know that — like some humans — dogs sometimes take a wiz (or worse) in the water.