Located in one of five access points on Barton Creek, Campbell’s Hole is a popular beautiful swimming spot near Austin, where you can stroll, picnic, sunbathe and swim when there’s enough water in the creek bed. A great place for outdoor enthusiasts and those who are looking for a quick and refreshing getaway from the tiring city. This place is less crowded than other popular swimming holes on Barton Creek, still, there are many locals who love to come here and do that on a regular basis. Many of them also bring their dogs.
Location And Access
There are several ways to get to Campbell’s Hole, which is located in one of five main access points along Barton Creek. One is via the Spyglass entrance of the Barton Creek Greenbelt at 1500 Spyglass Dr, Austin. Go down to the creek and turn left. After half a mile, you’ll approach a pebble beach with signs prohibiting diving.
Another way to access Campbell’s Hole is to follow the path behind Barton Hills Elementary School, take the right fork after the trailhead, and move along the creek until you see a clearing and cliffs. If you’re not sure where to go, just keep close to the creek.
Campbell’s Hole is open from early morning until dusk, but it’s better to come as early as you can since the spot is popular with locals and can get filled quickly. Entrance is free.
Dog Policies
Fortunately for dog owners, dogs are allowed at Campbell’s Hole, so you can bring your furry companion to swim and have fun together.
Swimming Conditions
Like at many other swimming holes in Texas, the water levels in the creek depend on the rainfall. Sometimes the water is just too low and sometimes it rises high enough for comfortable swimming and even cliff jumping. If you take kids, they’ll be able to play safely in the shallow areas.
Hiking
There are hiking trails winding through the area, so walking around, watching wildlife, and enjoying the scenic river views is always an option once you’ve had enough of the sun and the water.
Driving Time
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10 minutes from Downtown Austin, TX
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1 hour 40 minutes from San Antonio, TX
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2 hours 55 minutes from Houston, TX
Hotels and rentals
If you're considering staying for one or even a few nights, there are plenty of options available near the beach. Chose your preferred accomodation type and your favourite room provider:
- Nearby rentals from VRBO.
- Nearby rooms and properties from Booking.com.
Beaches nearby
Additionally, there's a number of beaches near Campbell’s Hole Beach which you can visit:
- Barton Springs Pool Beach (1 mile)
- Deep Eddy Pool Beach (1 mile)
- Twin Falls Beach (2 miles)
- West Lake Beach (3 miles)
- Festival Beach at Lady Bird Lake (Town Lake) (4 miles)