Make a splash at 8 swimming holes near Houston
When the heat and humidity of a Houston summer (and spring and fall) start to weigh you down, these swimming holes are a fantastic way to stay cool.
During Houston’s extended summer, you’ll need to be strategic about beating the heat. Sure, you can complain about how hot it is outside while blasting the AC or a fan indoors. This can be a fun distraction for a bit, though you’ll quickly tire of it. A better option is to immerse yourself in a giant body of water. Lakes and swimming holes are ideal places for this.
Unfortunately, Houston’s freshwater sources are typically home to Cottonmouth Water Moccasins and American Alligators. We want to advise you on good places to cool off with a swim, not offer a guide on how to befriend alligators and snakes.
With that in mind, here are eight spots in or near Houston that may not technically be swimming holes but are still great swimming spots nonetheless.
1. Scott’s Ridge
13274 Scotts Ridge Rd, Montgomery, TX 77356
Scott’s Ridge is one of our favorite swimming holes across the entire state. Resting in the middle of Sam Houston National Forest at the western edge of Lake Conroe, Scott’s Ridge offers an energizing experience from the moment you cannonball into the water. Would you rather not swim? Cast a reel for some fishing or cruise around the water on boats, tubes, or water skis. The swimming area is separate from the other water activities, making it easy for everyone to enjoy their own thing. The forest’s admission is $5 per car, with the lake open from April to September.
2. Twin Lakes RV Scuba Park
19230 Morris Ave, Manvel, TX 77578
As the name suggests, Twin Lakes RV Scuba Park is often used as training grounds (or water) for scuba divers. However, non-divers can enter for just $5 and find a pleasant oasis for swimming. It’s an aquifer-fed pool, so you’ll get a nice, clear view of the marine life underneath the surface, including turtles, bass, catfish, and perch. You’ll also find five sunken fishing boats, an Airstream trailer, and a school bus. Perhaps that’s a sign of what happens when you get too chatty with the bus driver.
3. Lake Livingston State Park
300 Park Road 65, Livingston, TX 77351
The third-largest lake in Texas, Lake Livingston on the Trinity River is known for its white bass population. If fishing isn’t your jam, there are tons of other things to do around Lake Livingston State Park. Hiking, mountain biking, birding, camping, and geocaching are all fair game. And while this won’t impact your swimming at all, it’s cool to know about the R.C. Thomas Hydroelectric Project. The project uses water from Lake Livingston to power about 12,000 homes in East Texas and can potentially offset 64,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. You may also recognize Lake Livingston from the Animal Planet show “River Monsters,” whose creators went searching for alligator gar. (Don’t worry; the official swimming spots won’t produce encounters with any of the show’s monsters.)
4. Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday
19785 Highway 105 West Montgomery, TX 77356
Another way to enjoy the waters of Lake Conroe is by camping at Lake Conroe/Houston North KOA Holiday. Swimming in the lake is a main attraction, though you can also partake in plenty of activities like fishing, horseshoes, and basketball. Bonus points if you can sink a shot from the water, in which case we need to get you a tryout with a professional team immediately. When you need a break from the lake life, explore downtown Montgomery, the birthplace of the Texas flag.
5. Ratcliff Lake
18551 State Highway 7 E, Kennard, TX 75847
The Davy Crockett National Forest surrounds the 45-acre Ratcliff Lake. That lake was once a log pond that the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill used for water. The Ratcliff Lake recreation area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It’s suffered some damage via Hurricane Ike and tornadoes, but it’s still going strong. After you take a dip in the water, you can dry off with a picnic or a hike. The 20-mile Recreation Trail goes all the way to Neches Bluff Overlook, which offers a picturesque view of the trees and water.
6. Double Lake Recreation Area
301 FM 2025 Rd, Coldspring, TX 77331
A year after establishing Ratcliff Lake, the Civilian Conservation Corps moved to Coldspring and built the Double Lake Recreation Area. The nature in this area is especially bountiful, and the five-mile walk along the Lone Star Hiking Trail is a beautiful way to take it all in. Should you prefer something a little speedier, hop on your two-wheeler and ride along the 21-mile mountain bike trail that circles the lake. Accessing the park costs $7 per vehicle per day.
7. Lake Texana
46 Park Road 1, Edna, TX 77957
Spanning over 10,000 acres with 125 miles of shoreline, Lake Texana is a bit of a hidden gem outside Edna. The reservoir on the Navidad River supplies drinking water to the surrounding areas, and it’s also perfect for a splish-splashing good time. The lake is stocked with catfish, bass, and crappie for recreational fishing. You’ll also spot several plant species like spikerush, pondweed, and bull’s tongue. There’s also a slight chance you could meet a hair metal band whose members have the same name as those plants.
8. The Blue Lagoon
649 Pinedale Rd, Huntsville, TX 77320
If you’re a certified scuba diver or want to take lessons, Texan Scuba at The Blue Lagoon is an all-inclusive facility in Huntsville with a spacious water area and a well-stocked gear shop. Alas, you won’t be able to get a clay mud facial like you can at the Blue Lagoon in Iceland, but you’ll still learn a thing or two about diving. Getting a swim and an education is a pretty good deal.
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