Where to Swim (lakes, creeks, or rivers)? (San Antonio, Austin: rentals, camping)

[Aquajox]

Where do locals go to swim in a lake, creek, or river? I ask because I wanted to take my kids to a near by lake yesterday to go swimming, but I discovered that you cannot swim in most of the lakes around here. Only Canyon Lake and Lake Medina have swimming holes, but they were closed, and I think there is a fee. I took them to Landa Park last year, but that also had a small fee, and I believe it is seasonal. Are there any swimming holes (lakes, creeks, or rivers) that you can swim for free any time of the day or year within 30 miles of San Antonio?

[twinboysmomma]

Dumb question, but I am genuinely curious...is swimming in lakes safe with the alligators and water moccasins?

[Grimacus]

From looking at google earth, I dont see much of swim areas around SA, not to mention places to take a boat. Looks like the lakes to the west of Austin have great swimming spots but that looks to be an hour drive. While looking for a place to live we thought about New Braunfel since housing market there seems good, but heard it floods. But from my reading they have 2 great river systems to swim/tube in. BTW where did you guys live up here in the NW?

[Aquajox]

Originally Posted by Grimacus

BTW where did you guys live up here in the NW?

I lived in Snohomish County my whole life until coming down here. Marysville, Arlington, Everett, and Lynnwood. Graduated from Arlington. My wife graduated from Mariner in Everett.

[Aquajox]

Originally Posted by twinboysmomma

Dumb question, but I am genuinely curious...is swimming in lakes safe with the alligators and water moccasins?

You got me googling. Both appear to be rare in San Antonio from what I've read.

[Mr. Football]

I'm fairly certain that there has been no recorded fatalities in Texas with regards to Alligator attacks. Central Texas isn't considered the usual habitat (though they could certainly live there). They mostly live up on the coast, up in East Texas. You're more likely to get killed by a drunk SWT student on an innertube.

San Antonio area has lots of great swimming holes. Especially out near the hill country. Lake Medina, Lake McQueeny, the rivers up in Bandera, New Braunfels, Wimberley, etc.

[sapphire]

This place is about an hour out of town, but it's worth the trip.
River Inn Resort: Map and Driving Direction - Your first choice for serene Texas Hill Country Getaways!

[Aquajox]

Originally Posted by Mr. Football

San Antonio area has lots of great swimming holes. Especially out near the hill country. Lake Medina, Lake McQueeny, the rivers up in Bandera, New Braunfels, Wimberley, etc.

Are these places free to the public? And do they have schedules? I imagine if I drove around enough I'd find a spot to pull over and jump in, if this is the case, where's a good spot on say Lake Medina, since it's the closest lake to me? And how common are spots like that?

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by Aquajox

Are these places free to the public? And do they have schedules? I imagine if I drove around enough I'd find a spot to pull over and jump in, if this is the case, where's a good spot on say Lake Medina, since it's the closest lake to me? And how common are spots like that?

There are a couple of "pay" places on the south side of Lake Medina. One, that is also a boat launch area charges I think $10 per carload. Another nicer one costs I think $25 per carload and is geared toward people, not boats.

Wild Texas Parks: Medina Lake County Park - Bandera, TX
Joe's Place Marina & Resort at Medina Lake, Mico Texas - Marina, Boat Launch, Swimming, Party Room Rentals, Camping, Picnicing, Fishing, Scuba Diving, Dock

[OzzyRules]

Where are you from? It sounds like you have lived in places with more water than south Texas.