There is no shortage of outdoor adventure in the Hill Country, and the greater Austin Metro Area is no exception. But when it comes to water recreation, San Marcos is the clear winner – where crystalline lakes, refreshing rivers, and sparkling springs abound
A short drive south from Austin on I-35, San Marcos was once home to one of Texas’ premier water attractions, Aquarena Springs, an amusement park that operated on Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River, from 1951 to the mid-1990s. The park drew families from across the state and beyond with novelties such as underwater Aquamaids, Ralph the Swimming Pig, and a glass-bottom boat. The park has long-since closed, but visitors can still enjoy the quintessential San Marcos experience, including glass-bottom boat tours and rides, at The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, a Texas State University partnership on Spring Lake. On board guides share fun facts and trivia about the history of the area and the creatures that call the lake home, and there are self-guided walking trails and a wetlands boardwalk to view local flora and fauna in their natural habitat.
For a more laid-back experience, enjoy a leisurely float on the San Marcos River in the crystal-clear waters that bubble up from underground streams of the Edwards Aquifer. The river water is a near-constant 72 degrees owing to rainfall that enters the groundwater system, flows slowly through limestone channels, and bubbles out of springs that feed into the lake. The aquifer river flows through beautiful wildlife areas, home to threatened and endangered species such as the Texas Blind Salamander and the Comal Spring Riffle Beetle.
The Lions Club Tube Rental and River Shuttle began in the 1970s as a weekend fundraising project with 20-40 tube rentals a day operating out of a truck behind Joe’s Crab Shack. It has grown into the single largest fundraising event in the San Marcos area, supporting over one hundred local charities with its 800-850 rentals a day. Tubing season on the river is May through September, with daily operations May 27th – August 18th from City Park on Charles Austin Drive, but the fun doesn’t end here. With fewer swimmers and tubers to navigate around during the off-season, paddleboarding, kayaking, and canoeing enthusiasts can appreciate unique experiences year-round. Guided tours and clear kayaks equipped with LED lights offer incredible views of the ecosystem above and below the water.
The river, however, is not the only place to experience the water in San Marcos. Murals, sculptures, galleries, and traffic box art abound in the city with over eighty-five installations across town. Enchanted Waters, Currents, and Dive Into the Divine are just a few of the water-themed murals to view. Guardians of the San Marcos River, a six-panel sculpture featuring designs by San Marcos High School students, depicts the creation story attributed to the Coahuiltecan people and the five spirit guardians of the river.
