Visitor's Information
Hours: 9:30 AM - 5 PM daily
Fees:
30-Minute Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
Adults: $12
Seniors (65+): $10
Children 3–12: $8
2 & Under: Free
Looking for a little more time on Spring Lake?
• Extended Glass-Bottom Boat Tour (45 min, weekends only)
Adults $15 | Seniors $13 | Children 3–12 $10 | 2 & Under Free
• Private Boat Tour (up to 20 guests, 30 min)
Flat rate $180 – advance reservation required
Guided Wetlands Boardwalk Add-On
(30 min, weekends)
Adults $3.50 | Seniors $3 | Children 3–12 $2 | 2 & Under Free
Join a naturalist to explore the fragile wetland ecosystem before or after your boat ride.
Annual Passes are available for $35
The annual pass covers 12 months of unlimited access to the standard 25-minute glass-bottom boat tour, 15 percent off gift-shop purchases, and 15 percent off extended, wetlands, and specialty tours for up to six people. Guests of annual-pass cardholders also receive $2 off their boat ticket (up to six people).
Other Meadows Center Adventures
Did you know you can explore Spring Lake via kayak, snorkel, or SUP? The Meadows Center offers several cool eco-tours that allow you to see the lake in a new way while also learning more about environmental stewardship and what makes this area so biodiverse.
Safety & Comfort • Life jackets provided and required on specialty paddle/snorkel tours; optional on boat tours.
• Boats operate unless lightning or high winds are present – call ahead for weather updates.
• Service animals only; strollers & wheelchairs may be left dockside (two steps to board).
No charge to explore the grounds of The Meadows Center
Parking Lot Fee: $3.00 paid on-site at kiosk
Park Hours: 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The last tour departs 30 minutes before closing (4:30 p.m.)
Questions? Call the Ticket Booth at (512) 245-7590 during park hours.
Closed on Thanksgiving Day, Winter Holiday Break, New Year’s holiday (Dec 31–Jan 1), and for annual maintenance, typically Jan 5-9 and Aug 19.
Rules: Pets on leash. Scoop the Poop. No campfires, glass containers, motor vehicles, weapons, horses, or camping. Take only photos, leave only footprints. Refrain from biking on muddy trails. Stay on trails.
Explorer's Checklist
Latest Explorer Observation
Texas State University purchased the land where the Meadows Center now stands, transforming what was once a theme park into an environmental education center around Spring Lake, Texas' largest spring and headwaters of the 260-mile long San Marcos River.
LIVING WATERS
Eight federally listed Endangered and Threatened species make their home in Spring Lake the 3.8 mile-long upper section of the San Marcos River. Salamanders, fish, and other aquatic fauna, as well as unique plants such as Texas Wild Rice, rely on the flow of this clear, clean, constant temperature water from the Edwards Aquifer for survival.
SACRED SPRINGS
Archaeological evidence suggests that Native Americans lived in this area over 11,000 years ago and considered the springs to be sacred. The White Shaman Panel, a 4,000 year-old cave painting (considered the earliest map of Texas) depicts a pilgrimage route to Barton Springs, San Marcos Springs, San Pedro Springs, and Yanaguana. Several creation stories are tied to these places. To this day, they hold great meaning and preserve Native American heritage.
Educational Resources
Explorer Gallery
