east of Hunt. For those looking to try Guerrilla Swimming Tactic No. 3–according to which any place a road crosses a river is a potential swimming hole–the highways between Kerrville and Comfort are promising, but be mindful of private property.) If you’re hungry: burgers at the Hunt Store. At the eastern end of Hunt, the first place that Texas Highway 39 crosses the Guadalupe River. Free. Crowded on weekends - Rope Swing.

23) Village Creek State Park

Lumberton

Village Creek, as wide and brown as the real Limpopo, slips slowly and silently through the Big Thicket to its confluence with the Neches, south of Lumberton. A one-mile hike through a dense forest of beech, tupelo, and magnolia trees takes you to a place where the stream makes a stately curve past a large sandbar. No need to worry about alligators here: The creek is spring-fed, which keeps the temperature lower than other bodies of water in the area, 74 to 78 degrees, making this hole less hospitable to the giant, fanged reptiles. Despite the constant metallic banging and screeching from an invisible manufacturing plant (which, one hopes, would be closed on weekends), I spent a pleasant hour or so here, alternately lounging in the sun and wallowing in the hole, and gradually the noise of civilization merged into the buzz and hum of the woods behind me and the gentle splashing of the water at my feet. If you’re hungry: Bring a sandproof picnic. Half a mile east of FM 3513 (Village Creek Parkway) down Alma Drive. 409-755-7322. Open year-round, 8–10. $2. Crowded on weekends - Shade - Camping.

24) Blanco State Park

Blanco

Oak and pecan trees shade the ducks waddling along the grassy banks of the Blanco River at this quiet spot near the welcoming town square. A small dam creates a wide lagoon for swimming and floating and a waterfall for splashing. This little city park (that’s what it is, despite being in the state parks system) has a perfect small-town-Texas feel. If you’re hungry: apple pie at Deutsch Apple Bakery. 101 Park Road 23. 830-833-4333. Open year-round, 8–10. $4. Crowded on weekends - Picnic Tables - Shade - Grilling - Camping.

25) Hancock Springs Pool

Lampasas

Lampasas grew up around these sulfurous springs, which were famous in the late 1800’s as a health resort. Train travelers would be ferried by mule, one trolley carload at a time, from the station to the Park Hotel. The open-air swimming pool was built in 1911. There’s a tearoom in the quaint two-story building next to the pool, which was restored in the nineties by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. If you’re hungry: cheeseburgers at the Country Kitchen & Bakery. Hancock Park, at the intersection of U.S. 281 South and U.S. 190 (E.E. Jr. Ohnmeiss Drive). 512-556-6831. Open June through August, Thur–Sat 12–7, Sun 1–6. $3. Crowded on weekends - Picnic Tables - Shade - Lifeguard - Grilling.