![]() You know how travertine springs form from minerals around hot springs? Same idea. As it bubbled over, it picked up all kinds of minerals which were deposited above it- these minerals form the roof of the crater. Miles below the Earth's surface, it was warmed up by geothermal heat and began to percolate back up. So how did this magical natural wonder come to be? It all started when pure melted snow began to seep and erode into the Wasatch Mountains ten thousand years ago (give or take). Somewhere secluded and serene, with the right lighting, and maybe a nice place to hang out is ideal- and Utah's Homestead Crater nails all of the criteria- it's a massive hot spring inside a cave. When finding a place to relax, the right setting is super important. And remember to leave yourself plenty of time to hike to a good location, relax a bit, and hike back. Also, pack as light as possible! You might find yourself regretting bringing along a huge cooler halfway through the hike. And if you're bringing a picnic, a camera, or anything else you need to keep dry, make sure to bring a waterproof bag. You'll also want to pack water, snacks, and sunblock, since there's not a ton of shade along the river. You're going to be trekking through the river and up, down, over, under, and around rocks, and the right footwear can help make the hike more pleasant. Even though the park is a local favorite, especially as the dog days of summer hit, there are so many secluded spots, nooks, crannies, and coves, that you'll feel like you discovered the place yourself!Ī few tips for hiking up the river: The best time is summer and early fall- the water will be really high and running very fast in the spring and early summer, making the hike more difficult and potentially more dangerous. These boulders and rocks are what make the swimming holes as well. The stream is strewn with boulders that make the hike an exciting challenge. Of course, like most good hidden swimming holes, you'll have to do a little work to get there, but the hike through the river is worth it- and kind of fun in its own right. ![]() You can find them hidden in forests and parks all across America, and one of the country's coolest is located in South Yuba River State Park. All you have to do is show up at the Nature Center at 10am on a Saturday and you can get a guided tour, complete with inside information about notorious floods and brave scuba divers who have tackled Jacob's Well! But, really fun at the same time.īetween 40,000 and 50,000 people visit each year, but if you want the full experience, then consider taking a tour of the preserve, led by one of Hays County's Master Naturalists. I did it with my 10-month old son in a bjorn and it was pretty rough at parts. It used to be a sacred meeting place for Native Americans, and in recent times it has become one of the most beloved swimming holes in Texas. It’s also an artesanal spring that pumps thousands of gallons of water per minute. This is one of Texas’ longest underwater caves. Texas certainly has no shortage of swimming holes to explore on hot summer days, but not all of them can also claim to be the longest underwater cave in the whole state- that honor is reserved for Jacob's Well in Texas's Hill Country, right smack dab in between San Antonio and Austin in the small town of Wimberley. It only costs $3 for adults ($2 for kids), and a portion of that money goes to a fund to help research and protect the Barton Springs Salamander, so you can cool off for a cause! In the '20s, the city of Austin obtained the property and built the dams to create the one huge pool we see today. He also named the three pools after his daughters- Parthenia, Eliza and Zenobia (those definitely sound like mermaid names.just sayin'). Spanish explorers to the area built temporary missions around it, and in the 1830s, the land was purchased by "Uncle" Billy Barton, who saw the area's potential as an attraction. In the 1730s, the springs were revered by the Tonkawa tribe, who used the pools for sacred rituals. It's fed by 3 pools of natural, underground springs that have been dammed up to create a massive 3-acre swimming pool.īarton Springs has been keeping Texans from overheating since before Texas was even a thing. If you happen to be near Austin, take a break from keeping the city weird and head to Barton Springs Pool for a dip. Texas may be notorious for its sweltering summers, but the Lone Star State also has some of the most magical swimming holes.
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