Founded on the banks of the San Marcos River, the area is thought to be among the oldest continuously inhabited sites in the Americas
General Information
How to Get There
From Austin (30 mi): Take I-35 South from Austin approximately 30 miles to San Marcos, exiting at any of the main city exits between exits 204 and 206.
Overview
San Marcos sits on the I-35 corridor between Austin and San Antonio, built around the San Marcos River — one of the clearest, most consistently cold spring-fed rivers in Texas, holding a steady 68°F year-round and drawing tubers, swimmers, and paddlers by the thousands each summer. The river rises from San Marcos Springs at Spring Lake, part of an artesian spring line along the Balcones Fault marking the boundary between the Hill Country and the Coastal Plains; archaeological finds near the springs suggest the site has been continuously inhabited longer than almost anywhere else in the Americas. The city is also home to Texas State University, giving it a lively college-town feel, and to the San Marcos Premium Outlets, one of the most-visited outlet malls in the country.
Historic downtown San Marcos — known locally as "the square" — was laid out in 1851 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, anchored by the 1908 Hays County Courthouse and lined with bars, restaurants, and boutiques. The river also kicks off the Texas Water Safari, billed as the world's toughest canoe race, and its riverside parks — Sewell, City, and Rio Vista — give visitors easy access for swimming, paddling, and picnicking year-round.
Things to Do
Float the San Marcos River
Enjoy tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding, swimming, and river recreation on the crystal-clear, spring-fed San Marcos River, one of the city's most popular attractions.
Take a Glass-Bottom Boat Tour
Experience Spring Lake aboard a unique glass-bottom boat and observe fish, aquatic plants, turtles, and underwater springs at The Meadows Center.
Explore Downtown San Marcos
Discover local boutiques, restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, galleries, and live entertainment venues throughout the historic downtown district.
Visit Rio Vista Park
Relax along the river, watch kayakers navigate the rapids, and enjoy one of the city's most popular outdoor recreation areas.
See Wonder World Cave & Adventure Park
Tour the Balcones Fault Line Cave, one of Texas' earliest show caves, and enjoy educational exhibits, observation towers, and family-friendly attractions.
Explore Public Art and Murals
Discover colorful murals, sculptures, galleries, and the city's famous Mermaid March public art installations.
Visit Texas State University
Walk through the scenic campus and enjoy its architecture, public art, cultural venues, and connection to the city's identity.
Hike and Bike Urban Nature Trails
Explore miles of trails, nature preserves, and green spaces found throughout San Marcos and its surrounding Hill Country environment.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the San Marcos, Texas, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.
