Hamilton Pool – Cool Things To Do In Austin
Located about 30 miles west of Austin, Hamilton Pool is a managed natural preserve. It offers day use for picnicking, hiking, swimming and nature study.
“The preserve’s pool and grotto were formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. There is a 45 foot water fall creating a great swimming hole. You need to also hike some of the nature trails along the creek. Swimming is allowed only when the water quality meets safe standards. Water quality is monitored regularly.
“The well-marked hiking trail leads from the parking lot to Hamilton Creek. At the creek, the trail to the right goes to the pool and the trail to the left follows the creek downstream to the Pedernales River. Bald cypress trees, lush, diverse plant communities, and a variety of wildlife species occupy the grotto and downstream areas. The hike from the parking lot to the pool is about 1/2-mile round-trip; the hike along the creek from the pool to the river is about 3/4 mile, or l 1/2 miles round-trip from the parking lot.
Extreme care is crucial for the delicate and beautiful ecosystem which forms the Hamilton Pool Preserve. Visitors are asked to please understand the necessary rules for preserving the park’s unique beauty for generations to come.”
Important Information
I suggest you call the park’s telephone recorder message (512-264-2740) for updated information. The parking lot is sized for 75 cars, and when all spaces are taken, cars are held up at the gate until a space opens. Drinking water or concessions are not available in the preserve; chemical toilets are provided.
The fee to get in is $10 per vehicle with the 75 car limit, you could wait up to two hours to get in. The parking lot fills up by 10am. The preserve is open daily from 9am – 6pm, no one is allowed to enter after 5:30pm. There is no fishing, no camping and no glass containers allowed.
They don’t allow pets in the preserve and they don’t allow you to leave your pets in the car while you visit the preserve.
How To Get There
Hamilton Pool Preserve is located about 30 miles west of Austin on FM 3238. From SH 71/U.S. 290 junction southwest of Austin, take SH 71 about 81/2miles to FM 3238 (Hamilton Pool Road), turn left and travel about 13 miles to the preserve. The entrance to the 232-acre preserve is on the right.
Travis County honors the Federal Golden Age Passport and the Senior Citizen State Pass.
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