Cliff Diving
10 top cliff diving spots in Texas
The top cliff diving spots in Texas, with their breathtaking heights, clear waters, and rich history, are worth exploring.
If you’re searching for new cliff diving spots, Texas is a great place to start. The natural beauty of Texas, along with its sweeping variety of geographic features, make it well-suited for the thrill of a cliff jump.
Cliff diving has countless appeals, but Maria Paula Quintero, current Wild Card Diver in the 2023 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, puts it best. Quintero credits her “earliest childhood memory of diving” as the moment that catalyzed her passion for cliff diving.
Maria Paula Quintero of Colombia at Possum Kingdom Lake, Texas
© Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool
“That day was my first training session ever. I just wanted to go higher and higher,” she told Red Bull. “That feeling of height is simply the best!”
You might share Quintero’s love of heights, or want to get to know the sport better before the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series. In either case, the top cliff diving spots in Texas, with their breathtaking heights, clear waters, and rich history, are worth exploring. Below is a list of some of Texas’s most popular cliff jumps and what makes each one worthy of a visit.
01
Lake Travis
Located off of Starnes Island, a 45-minute drive from Austin, Lake Travis is the perfect place to begin exploring cliff diving. Lake Travis, with its free entry and shorter jumps from five to eight feet, can give you a taste of adrenaline in a low-pressure atmosphere. This site also tends to be more crowded, giving you the opportunity to try out cliff diving in a more social setting.
02
Possum Kingdom Lake
Michal Navratil - Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in Possum Kingdom Lake
© Dean Treml / Red Bull Content Pool
Known by both professionals and locals as the best cliff diving spot in Texas, Possum Kingdom Lake has dives for everyone. From six-feet jumps to the renowned, 91-foot Hell’s Gate, the lake lets divers work their way up — although the tallest cliffs are strictly for professionals. Because of Possum Kingdom Lake’s more remote location, two hours from Fort Worth, you’re not likely to encounter a crowd during your time there. This famous spot is also the site of previous Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, where Hell’s Gate got its moment in the spotlight.
03
Inks Lake State Park
In addition to its prime fishing sites and nine miles of hiking trails, Brunet’s Inks Lake State Park is known for the Devil’s Waterhole. The Devil’s Waterhole features cliffs at a range of heights, from 10 to 30 feet, making it ideal for divers of many skill levels. Because of the park’s popularity, visitors also use the Devil’s Waterhole to boat and kayak, so it’s important to look before you leap. The Devil’s Waterhole also has some shallower spots, making a depth test a necessary step. However, with cold, clear water and consistent water levels, the Devil’s Waterhole has earned its spot as one of the best cliff dives in Texas.
04
Pace Bend Park
An even more ambitious dive, with cliff jumps ranging from 40 to 50 feet, Paleface at Pace Bend Park is a hidden gem in Spicewood. With nine miles of shoreline, clear horizons, and lush camping grounds, Pace Bend Park comes highly recommended by locals. Because of its more remote location, it’s important to watch out for inconsistent water levels, as well as sharp shells on the lake’s floor. However, if you’re a more seasoned cliff diver, Pace Bend Park, located just 45 minutes north of Austin, might take you to the next level.
05
Krause Springs
Another Spicewood beauty, Krause Springs boasts a variety of natural sites, including a well-manicured botanical garden, and prime cliff diving spots. While the jumps, averaging about eight feet, are not nearly as high as Paleface, Krause Springs has a breathtaking ambiance. From butterfly sanctuaries to clear waterfalls, this cliff jumping site can provide a perfect entry point — and a perfect view — for new divers.
06
Lake Whitney
Just off of the Brazos River and 45 minutes from Waco, Lake Whitney is home to two standout cliff diving sites. The first, the Walling Bend, has the largest range of cliff heights on this list, from five to 30 feet. With a rope ladder and rushing — although inconsistently deep — waters, the Walling Bend is good for divers with a sense of adventure.
Ten minutes away, Soldier’s Bluff is slightly more manageable, with cliff heights ranging from seven to 20 feet. The journey to Soldier’s Bluff also includes a lengthy hike — which you can then punctuate with the reward of a thrilling cliff jump.
07
McKinney Falls State Park
While McKinney Falls State Park is a well-known site for hikers, swimmers, and campers, one of its biggest draws is the Upper Falls. With jumps ranging from nine to 18 feet, the Upper McKinney falls provide an intermediate dive in a well-populated park. Because of its popularity, you might have to navigate crowded parking lots and park litter. However, the Upper Falls are a good fit for cliff divers searching for a well-vetted site, located 15 minutes from Austin, featuring many outdoor activities.
08
Tonkawa Falls
Only a half-hour drive from downtown Waco in Crawford, Tonkawa Falls features two dives: one at five feet and one at 12 feet. With clear water for diving, Tonkawa Falls are another middle-level cliff diving spot, although the water can be shallow and hazardous at times. With the right depth checks and footwear, you can make great use of Tonkawa Falls’s breathtaking natural sights. When you’re done diving, you can enjoy the swimming holes at the bottom of the falls, where you’ll see everyone from fellow athletes to families.
09
Pedernales Falls State Park
The Pedernales Falls State Park in Blanco County has some of the most challenging hikes, including the nearly-5.5-mile Wolf Mountain Trail. It also has one of the largest ranges of top-tier cliff dives, from a beginner-friendly three feet to a more adventurous 16 feet. After a 50-minute drive from Waco, you can jump in and brave the Pedernales Falls’s intense currents, which require some previous skill to navigate. In between jumps, you can take in Blanco County’s native wildlife, from gray foxes to nine-banded armadillos.
10
Jacob's Well
Jacob’s Well, located in Wimberly, is as beautiful as it is complex. Forty-five minutes out of Austin, this site features natural springs, which cradle a narrow cave with diving heights as tall as nine feet. Regarded as one of the world’s most treacherous underwater dives, you might encounter scuba divers exploring Jacob’s Well’s nearly-140-foot depth. If you’re only going to cliff dive, just remember to bring some water shoes with good traction, as the ledges can get slippery with algae. While it might be a more complicated dive, its stunning views — especially when the sun hits the spring water — is well worth it.
Taking the plunge in Texas
Cliff diving in Texas is as much about getting your adrenaline fix as it is about appreciating the state’s natural beauty. Whether you choose a cliff that’s five feet or 50, you’ll surely feel your heart racing as you take in these breathtaking sites. With the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series approaching, now is the time to get acquainted with the sport — and have fun while doing it.