Krause Springs

Not a hot spring

Krause Springs often turns up in searches for Texas springs, but the water is cool. The owners say the springs flow at about 68°F20°C all year. That makes it a welcome swim on a Hill Country summer day and a cold one in spring. If you are looking for warm water, Texas has very little of it, and it is all far west: Chinati Hot Springs near Ruidosa (see our Chinati Hot Springs page), the hot spring in Big Bend National Park (its road has been closed until further notice since October 2026, so check before you go), and the spring-fed pool at Balmorhea.

What to expect

Krause Springs is a privately owned property in Spicewood, about 30 miles west of Austin. The Krause family opened it in 1955 and has owned it for more than half a century. The owners say it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The owners count 32 springs on 115 acres. Several feed the two places you can swim:

• The upper pool is manmade and spring-fed, with a small stone waterfall running into it. Staff clean it weekly, on Thursdays at 5 p.m.; the lower pool stays open while they do.
• The lower natural pool is a creek pool among limestone and trees. It is spring-fed too, but it can look silty after low rainfall or on crowded days. It drains into Little Cypress Creek and on toward Lake Travis.

Around the pools there are butterfly gardens, fountains and wind chimes, plus a day-use area with barbecue pits. It is a family place on most days, and very busy on summer weekends.

One big point in its favour: the owners say the springs keep flowing in drought, and they never close for low water the way some nearby swimming holes do.

Getting there

The address is 424 County Road 404, Spicewood, TX 78669. From Austin, take TX 71 west through Bee Cave toward Spicewood, then follow County Road 404 to the entrance.

Parking is free on site. The pools are a short walk from the lot. Wear shoes with grip for the rocky ground around the natural pool.

Plan your ride home. The owners say Uber and Lyft drivers will not take requests from Krause Springs back to Austin, so drive yourself or book a return in advance.

When to go

The property is closed each winter, roughly November 1 to February 15, while the owners make improvements. It opens daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. the rest of the year.

Late spring and September are the best balance of warm air and fewer people. The 68°F20°C water feels cold before the air heats up, so April swims are brisk.

Summer weekends are the busiest time, and late summer and early fall weekends draw big crowds too. Arrive when the gate opens if you want space by the water. Weekdays are calmer.

After heavy rain the property drains into Lake Travis, and the lower pool may run murkier for a while.

Prices and booking

Prices posted by the owners in 2026:

Guest	Day visit	Overnight
Ages 12 and up	$11	$17
Ages 4 to 11	$6	$10
Under 4	Free	Free

• RV site: $17, listed alongside the overnight entry rates; confirm with the office whether per-person entry is added. There are 24 RV sites with water and electricity, booked through RoverPass.
• Tent camping: in the East, Second Level and Third Level campgrounds. Tents are allowed on RV sites 1 to 6 only, for an extra fee.
• Photo shoots: $30 plus entry.
• Payment: the owners tell guests to bring cash. A 2026 guide reports cash or Google Pay at the gate; do not count on cards.

Day visitors do not need a reservation. Overnight guests can leave and come back during business hours, but the gate closes at 8 p.m. and you cannot return until morning.

Rules

• No glass. Staff confiscate it.
• No pets, except approved service animals with current vaccinations, kept out of the pools and restrooms.
• No drones or generators.
• No smoking except in the parking lot and at your own campsite.
• No weapons on display, and open carry is not allowed.
• Floats up to 5 feet are fine; there are no rentals but there is an air pump. Kayaks under 5 feet are allowed on the lower pool only.
• Fishing is allowed downstream where the springs drain into Little Cypress Creek, not in the pools.
• Fires: barbecue pits in the day-use area, or your own pit if it is off the ground. Check the Burnet County burn ban first.
• Quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Where to stay nearby

The simplest option is to camp on site. Restrooms have sinks and showers, but the showers run unheated spring water, so expect a cold rinse.

Otherwise, Spicewood, Bee Cave and Marble Falls have hotels and rentals, and Austin is within an hour. Hamilton Pool Preserve, another cool grotto swim west of Austin, makes a natural pairing; see our Hamilton Pool Preserve page, and note that it requires reservations and often closes to swimming.

Safety notes

• Cold water: At 68°F20°C the water can chill you faster than you expect. Watch children for shivering and blue lips.
• Footing: Rocks around the natural pool are slippery. Water shoes help, and the owners recommend them.
• Murky water: The lower pool can be silty, so you may not see the bottom. Enter feet first.
• Heat: Hill Country summer afternoons are hot. Bring plenty of drinking water.