Krause Springs' 32 natural springs have never once shut down for drought, and they never will — they flow straight out of the Hill Country limestone at a steady 68 degrees no matter how dry the summer gets. According to ATX Things' own read of the property's current FAQ page, day admission runs $11 for anyone 12 and up, and the gate locks for good at 8 PM sharp, no exceptions.
What is Krause Springs, and why doesn't it dry up like Austin's other swimming holes?
Krause Springs is a 115-acre, privately owned swimming and camping property in Spicewood, about 30 miles west of Austin, according to the family's own site. It's been open since 1955 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The draw is 32 individual springs on the property — some feed a manmade upper pool with a small stone waterfall, others feed a natural lower pool that flows straight into Little Cypress Creek and on into Lake Travis.
That constant spring flow is the whole pitch: while Barton Springs and the Greenbelt swing with rainfall and lake levels, Krause Springs' owners say flatly that the property has "never" closed due to drought, because the water isn't coming from a creek or a reservoir — it's coming out of the rock itself, year-round, at close to the same temperature every day.
Krause Springs
$What does it actually cost to get in?
Day-visit admission is $11 for anyone 12 and older, $6 for kids 4–11, and free under 4, per the pricing chart posted on the property's own site. Overnight guests — tent campers and the 24 RV sites with water and electric hookups — pay $17 for adults and $10 for kids, which covers the campsite and pool access together. A private photo shoot is $30 on top of the entrance fee.
Bring cash. Krause Springs takes cash or Google Pay at the gate — there's no indication cards are accepted, and it's a 30-mile drive back to an ATM if you show up short.
What are the actual hours, and what happens if you're running late?
The property opens at 9 AM and closes at 8 PM, seven days a week, according to its own posted FAQ. Anyone arriving after 8 PM is turned away — full stop, no late entry — and if you're camping overnight, the same rule works in reverse: leave during the day and you're welcome back before closing, but once the gate shuts at 8 PM you're locked out until morning, "for the safety of our overnight guests," per the property's own language.
The 8 PM cutoff is not a soft closing time. Krause Springs says explicitly that anyone showing up after 8 PM will not be allowed to enter — or re-enter, if you left during the day. Plan your drive home accordingly.
One seasonal note worth knowing before you plan a trip further out: Krause Springs closes for several weeks every winter, typically between November 1 and February 15, for property upkeep — so late-summer and fall weekends are peak season, not a shoulder-season afterthought.
Which pool should you actually swim in?
There are two distinct pools, and they behave differently. The upper pool is manmade, spring-fed, and cleaned by staff every Thursday at 5 PM — it's the more consistently clear option. The lower pool is the natural one, flowing directly from the springs into Little Cypress Creek; the property's own FAQ is upfront that after low rainfall or a busy weekend, it can take on "a more silty hue." Small kayaks under 5 feet are allowed in the lower pool; floats and inner tubes up to 5 feet are fine in either, and there's a free air pump on-site — but Krause Springs doesn't rent tubes, so bring your own.
Krause Springs doesn't rent floats or tubes. Bring your own — inner tubes and floats up to 5 feet are allowed, and there's a free air pump on-site if yours needs a top-off.
What should you pack, and what's banned outright?
No glass, anywhere on the property — bottles get confiscated at the gate, so decant into cans or plastic before you leave home. No pets beyond approved service animals with prior management sign-off. No drones, no generators, no open carry of weapons. Quiet hours run 10 PM to 8 AM for anyone camping overnight. Pack cash, non-glass drinks, water shoes (the rock underfoot gets slick), sunscreen, and a trash bag — the property asks visitors to haul out what they bring in.
How do you actually get there, and what's the catch nobody mentions?
Krause Springs' own directions page lists the physical address as 424 County Road 404, Spicewood, TX 78669 — about 30 miles west of Austin via Highway 71 through Bee Cave. Parking on-site is free. Here's the detail that catches first-timers: Krause Springs says outright that rideshare drivers "do not accept requests" for pickups back toward Austin. If you're not driving yourself, you need a return ride arranged before you leave, not an Uber pulled up on your phone at the gate.
No Uber or Lyft pickups back to Austin — Krause Springs' own FAQ confirms rideshares won't accept requests from the property. Drive yourself, carpool, or arrange a ride in advance.
What locals should know
- Address: 424 County Road 404, Spicewood, TX 78669 — about 30 miles west of Austin via Hwy 71.
- Hours: 9 AM–8 PM daily; arrive or return after 8 PM and you won't get in.
- Cost: $11/adult, $6/kids 4–11, free under 4 (day visit); cash or Google Pay.
- No glass, no pets (service animals only), no drones or generators.
- Bring your own float or tube (5 feet max) — Krause Springs doesn't rent them, but has a free air pump.
- No rideshare home — Uber/Lyft won't pick up from the property; arrange your return ride in advance.
- Closed roughly Nov 1–Feb 15 every year for property maintenance.
Krause Springs is one of several spring- and creek-fed options Austin has leaned on through this summer's heat. ATX Things has also covered Reimers Ranch Park's no-reservation alternative to Hamilton Pool, St. Edward's Park's hidden rope-swing hole, McKinney Falls State Park's day-pass workaround, and Barton Springs Pool's 2026 admission fees and swim secrets. For real-time creek and swimming-hole conditions closer to town, check our live flow tracker. If you're mapping out other cost-saving weekend plays, our Austin Restaurant Weeks guide runs through mid-September.
For current burn-ban status before you plan a campfire, Burnet County posts updates directly at burnetcountytexas.org.
FAQ
Does Krause Springs ever close because of drought? No. The property's owners say the springs flow year-round regardless of rainfall, and the pools drain efficiently into Lake Travis after heavy rain — unlike creek-fed swimming holes closer to Austin, Krause Springs has never closed for lack of water.
What are Krause Springs' hours? 9 AM to 8 PM, seven days a week, according to the property's own site. Anyone arriving after 8 PM will not be let in, and overnight guests who leave during the day can't re-enter after the 8 PM gate closure.
How much does it cost to visit Krause Springs? Day admission is $11 for ages 12 and up, $6 for kids 4–11, and free for kids under 4. Overnight camping guests pay $17/$10. Cash or Google Pay only.
Can I get an Uber or Lyft back to Austin from Krause Springs? Not according to the property itself — its FAQ states rideshare drivers don't accept pickup requests from the location. Arrange a ride in advance if you're not driving.
Are pets or glass allowed at Krause Springs? No standard pets — only approved service animals with prior management sign-off. Glass containers are banned outright and will be confiscated at the gate.
We're watching for Krause Springs' winter closure date to firm up as the season turns — follow @austintexasthings for that update, and for tomorrow's next Austin story.
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