Concan Swimming Hole

Concan, Texas · on Frio River

Verified · 2 independent sources

WATER: river
ACCESS: Local spot, unofficial
FEE: Free
SEASON: Best in summer

About Concan Swimming Hole

This swimming hole sits on the Frio River at 'First Crossing,' a low-water road crossing near the junction of FM 1050 and SH 127 in Concan, Uvalde County, Texas. The Frio is a classic Texas river to swim in, and this is one of several informally known swimming and tubing spots in the Concan area, distinct from, and downstream-adjacent to, the more developed swimming areas at Garner State Park further upstream.

The site is a Hill Country river crossing where the spring-fed Frio River runs over limestone bedrock, bordered by private riverside cabins and lodges (e.g., Neal's Lodges, Concan Cabins) rather than a public park. Parking for the general public is available in the highway right-of-way at the FM 1050 bridge.

Swimming at Concan Swimming Hole

At low water, this reach of the Frio is used by swimmers and tubers rather than boaters; at higher flows (roughly 1,500-2,500+ cfs) the crossing turns into a whitewater play feature rather than calm swimming water. Water is described as cool and clear, typical of the spring-fed Frio.

How to get to this swimming hole

Located on the Frio River at the low-water crossing near the intersection of FM 1050 and SH 127 in Concan, TX; public parking is available in the highway right-of-way at the FM 1050 bridge, with the run continuing downstream to a takeout near the SH 127 bridge.

Parking: Roadside/highway right-of-way parking at the FM 1050 bridge access point.

The walk in

No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. No hike is required. First Crossing is a low-water road crossing where FM 1050 meets the Frio River, so the water is directly adjacent to the roadside right-of-way parking -- essentially a walk of well under a few minutes from the car to the water's edge, not a trail approach.

Plan your visit

Bringing kids

OK with supervision

At low, normal flow this is a shallow low-water road crossing over limestone bedrock -- easy, gradual entry typical of these Frio crossings -- but there are no lifeguards, and known hazards sit just downstream: a low-head dam described as deadly above ~1,500 cfs and a 3.5-ft drop ('The Falls') further down. Kids should stay at/near the crossing itself rather than floating downstream, and flow should be checked (flash floods can spike the river quickly) before letting children swim.

Parking

Free

Public parking is in the highway right-of-way on the south (downstream) side of the FM 1050 bridge, per American Whitewater's river guide; this is informal roadside parking, not a maintained lot, and space is limited. No fee is charged for this public access point; the adjacent private lodges charge only their own overnight/day guests to use their separate river frontage.

Water clarity

Clear

Multiple independent sources describe this stretch of the Frio as cool and clear, consistent with the river's spring-fed origin over limestone (Wikipedia, riverflowco.com, Neal's Lodges). No visitor-report source specific to turbidity after rain was found for this exact location, so clarity after storms/high flow is not confirmed either way.

Hours

The public FM 1050 right-of-way access has no posted operating hours (open road/river access). Nearby private lodges limit their own guest-only river frontage to set hours -- Neal's Lodges runs 9:00am-9:00pm during peak season (roughly May 1-Oct 1) and 9:00am-5:00pm off-season -- but those hours apply only to their private sections, not the public crossing.

On the water

KayaksCanoesTube

Restrictions: American Whitewater's river-guide entry for the FM 1050-to-First Crossing reach notes the run suits kayaks, canoes, and tubes; at low flow it's used mainly by swimmers/tubers rather than boaters, while at higher flow (roughly 800+ cfs for wave trains, 1,500+ cfs for play holes, 2,500+ cfs for advanced moves) it becomes a whitewater play run. A low-head dam ~2.7 mi downstream becomes hazardous/deadly above ~1,500 cfs and must be portaged; flow should be checked against the current gauge before bringing a boat.

No motorboat or personal-watercraft use was found referenced for this reach -- it is a shallow, rock-bedded low-water crossing unsuited to powered craft. Garner State Park, about 8 miles upstream on the same river, additionally rents kayaks, paddleboats, and tubes through its own concessionaire for its section of the Frio, per the park's official TPWD page.

Rentals nearby

Neal's Lodges

Tube rentals (with or without bottom), cooler tubes, and a tube+shuttle combo for float trips on the Frio at Concan; shuttle-only rides also offered. Kayak/canoe rental not mentioned on their site.

Prices: Tube rental $15; cooler tube $15; tube & shuttle combo $20; shuttle-only $15/ride; $30 refundable deposit required on tube rentals

Concan, TX, directly on the Frio River adjacent to the First Crossing area · Shuttles run 10:00am-5:00pm (first come, first served, may cut off earlier depending on float time); lodge/river access hours are 9:00am-9:00pm peak season (Memorial Day-Labor Day-ish) and 9:00am-5:00pm off-season

Star Rentals

Tube and kayak rentals for the Frio River, per the funrivers.com Concan-area outfitter directory

1397 Co Rd 350, Concan, TX 78838 (phone 830-232-5511)

River Kayak & Tube Rentals

Kayak and tube rentals for the Frio River, per the funrivers.com Concan-area outfitter directory

275 Co Rd 348, Concan, TX 78838 (phone 830-591-6963)

Concan Swimming Hole: FAQ

Does Concan Swimming Hole charge a fee?

No fee identified for the public FM 1050 bridge access; adjacent private riverside lodges (e.g., Neal's Lodges, Concan Cabins) charge guests for access to their own river frontage sections.

Is Concan Swimming Hole kid friendly?

Do I need to hike to reach Concan Swimming Hole?

No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.

Where do I park for Concan Swimming Hole?

Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Concan Swimming Hole?

When is the best time to visit Concan Swimming Hole?

Spring through early summer for reliable swimmable/tubeable flows; by late summer the river can drop dramatically (occasionally to near-zero flow in drought) and conditions should be checked against the current gauge rather than assumed.

What water body is Concan Swimming Hole on?

Concan Swimming Hole is on Frio River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.