Spring Lake

Texas State University purchased Aquarena Springs in 1994, changing the focus of the former theme park from entertainment to preservation and education. The 90-acre acquisition has enabled Texas State to preserve the beautiful, ecologically fragile site for the people of Texas, while opening up classroom, lab, and research possibilities for the University. Visitors can view and interact with a variety of educational exhibits and attend various conferences and meeting functions at what is now known as Aquarena Center.

The unusually clear springs at Aquarena flow at 150 million gallons per day from the Edwards Aquifer into Spring Lake, the headwaters of the San Marcos River. The river flows through the Texas State campus and San Marcos to join the Blanco River four miles downstream and the Guadalupe River near Gonzales.

Sometimes called the "perfect river," the San Marcos River is home to unique and rare species of plants, fish, aquatic insects, and amphibians, some of which exist nowhere else in the world. For example, the San Marcos Salamander, classified as "threatened" by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is found only around the deepest springs and in shallow areas near the Inn at Aquarena. The Fountain Darter, a small fish classified as "endangered," exists only in Spring Lake and the San Marcos River and Comal River in New Braunfels. Texas Wild Rice exists only along a short stretch of the San Marcos River, although scientists from Texas State are attempting to reintroduce the endangered plant into Spring Lake.

Archaeological sites and artifacts near Aquarena date back over 12,000 years. Evidence has been discovered of Clovis culture, making Aquarena one of the oldest continually inhabited sites on the North American continent.

An inn built on the shores of Spring Lake in 1929 was first known as Rogers’ Spring Lake Park Hotel, and operated as a health resort and spa. Paul Rogers initiated the further development of Aquarena Springs Resort by launching the first glass-bottom boat and, in 1951, the first submarine theater. Aquarena Springs then operated as a theme park until its 1994 purchase by Texas State University.

Operations at Aquarena are currently controlled by various University units. Aquarena Center (the park and conference facilities) is operated by Continuing Education. The golf course at Aquarena is operated and maintained by Recreational Sports. The Inn is operated and maintained by Auxiliary Services. A restaurant formerly known as Peppers has been leased to Landry’s and renamed Joe’s Crab Shack. That lease agreement is monitored by Auxiliary Services. A second restaurant is no longer in service. The Landing is leased to Texas Parks and Wildlife, with whom Texas State is also developing a joint venture known as the Texas Rivers Center at Aquarena.