hamilton pool preserve

This is a Texas must see but temper your expectations. It is gorgeous but very crowded and can be difficult to get in to if you don't arrive early.

Great place to take out of towners. Can't wait for the weather to get warm too because the water looked so enticing. Short 5-10 minute hike down about 85 steps to the pool/cavern. Very much worth the visit!

I can't add much to what has been said. This really is an enchanted place. There's a bit of rough path to get to the pool, maybe not suitable for the old and infirm, but being only moderately each, I took my time, kept my footing, and was rewarded with an experience well worth the effort. Just one thing: We were there early on a weekday with not very good weather and by the time we left the place was getting crowded. If you want it to yourself, you'll need to plan ahead.

My family and I recently visited Hamilton Pool Preserve on a mini vacation while in the Austin area. When we arrived, we had to pay $15 to get in which we thought was a bit high. After we visited the pool, it was worth every penny. This place is a gem. Once you park, you have about a .25 mile downhill hike to get to the pool. It is pretty rough terrain to get to the pool so don't plan on bringing children's strollers or wheelchairs. When we visited, there was plenty of water flowing from the waterfall into the pool. We walked around the entire pool and got some great photos. No one was swimming as the water temperature was 49 degrees. After we visited the pool we hiked the .6 mile trail to a river. The trail followed a beautiful creek with little clear pools along the way. We saw a bunch of turtles sunning themselves. Pretty easy hike but again, not for wheelchairs or strollers. Well worth the trip. I would highly recommend anyone near Austin make the trip to Hamilton Pool Preserve.

Spent the afternoon here hiking and enjoying the pool. There is a short hike to the pool, and a longer hike down to the river. The pool is beautiful and relaxing. One word of caution: we decided to climb down the rocks in the back of the pool so we could sit with just our feet in the water. Unfortunately we seemed to have disturbed a water mosssican that was in the rocks. It was a bit unnerving but eventually it became uninterested in us and swam under some rocks further away. We didn't see any signs that said no climbing on the rocks but personally I would advise against it, and just stick with the crowd.

A 30mins drive from South Austin , this is one underestimated place of beauty most Austin dwellers have heard of but not visited :) You have got to visit this place to soak in all the beauty it has to offer. Even different times of the day bring out the varied lure of this place . Add to that the out-of-the-world , space-ship resembling topography and you are set to have the time of your life. You can have a great hike / bike session while exploring this place. The place offers the hamilton pool on one end of the trail (a quarter mile , one-way , of rugged , stony, step-y hike) and the river trail on the other end (again around a mile, one-way) - so all in all a good scenic workout trail. The entrance fee is $8 for pedestrians/cycles. and $15 for car parking . The pool trail is definitely more rewarding with the grandeur of the canyon and the breathtaking view of the close to 50 feet high, multiple-stream waterfall and the turquoise pool below .Even in the chilliest of weathers , people find the courage enough to splash around . Do remember to fill your belly up before hand since there are no food kiosks around.More details for directions, timings, contacts, attractions on offer can be found at : https://parks.traviscountytx.gov/find-a-park/hamilton-pool

fun for some light swimming in beautiful setting. usually not crowded, still pristine; nice any time of year

My husband and I decided to do this short hike and have a picnic on a Wednesday which was surprisingly busy! I'd hate to see what it is like on the weekends! There was a $15 per vehicle fee which was WELL worth it!!! The hike to the pool was mostly downhill and very short, but on the hike back you had to climb some short man-made "steps" made of logs and stones. It wasn't a bad hike though. The pool was absolutely beautiful! Waters were crystal clear and the waterfall was just gorgeous! There were actually several people swimming as well! There were bathrooms and picnic tables but my only disappointment was that the only picnic tables were right by the parking lot! We took our picnic lunch all the way to the pools thinking there were tables there. It was still really nice though. Will definitely go again!

Beautiful and peaceful, fun to swim and go hiking. Worth the drive. Nice hiking on the property away from the pool, near the river. Always been there when the water is flowing. Very low cost per car. I enjoy going at least once a year. It can be a fun family event too.

Our third time visiting the place, last weekend weather was perfect (65 deg.) to visit the pool and water really really flowing this time. I'm a photographer a this place is such a stunning subject, nature at its best.

The preserve is located North/Northwest of Dripping Springs. Take 290 to the intersection with Ranch Road 12 North in Dripping Springs (Home Depot and Walgreens on the corner), then turn left on Ranch to Market road 3238 (10 miles point - the road is also known as Hamilton Pool Road)...the pool is located on the right about 8 miles further down the road.The pictures look very nice and enticed us to go, but we were not aware there is a $15 (per car) entrance fee. I mistakenly thought I'd get in on our Texas Park Pass if there was a fee, but no, it's a Travis County facility. We went on the advice of other hikers who recommended the one mile down and back (parking lot to the "pool")...but they failed to mention the admission fee. So, we'd have paid the price if I'd had a swimsuit or got there earlier, but it was 3pm and we'd just planned to walk the short trail to see the sights and that seemed a bit pricey for a 20-30 min walk. Looking forward to another "prepared" visit.

Hamilton Pool is terrific (assuming the waterfall is flowing). We just went on a beautiful 70 degree Austin February day and the pool is phenomenal. The waterfall was really flowing and it is gorgeous. The hike around the pool is fun (a bit muddy in places) and absolutely worth it. The water was actually swimmable (if you could brave the 50 degree temperature). The walk down to the river is also worth it. There are multiple little cascades by the trail and the sound is very relaxing. It is absolutely worth the trip out there.

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a bit of a drive if you are coming from the Austin area, but driving into the hill country is well worth it. It is $15 per car, and once you get past a very surly and serious park gatekeeper you'll be happy to walk into the grotto and/or the river. We did not swim, but imagined it would be pretty packed during the warmer summer months. It isn't a "hike" by any means - about .25 miles to the grotto and another .80 miles to the river. It is very accessible for a variety of folks. We would visit again in the future and recommend to others.

This place is absolutely gorgeous and we were fortunate to go on an equally gorgeous day. The downsides were that the large main trail was closed and you couldn't go swimming (with the permanent look of the sign, it looked like it's like that a lot) but yet, we were still charged $15/car for entry. The 1/4 mile hike down is not terrible but there are areas where it is only pure rock you're walking on and having heels or something without grips is not smart. There is an outdoor restroom (for men and women) and a self-guided brochure you can take that points out numbered areas along the trail. Right down the road is the Westcave Preserve so I would recommend doing those on the same day if you have time and are able.

The pool is situated amidst large rocks and oak trees. The beauty is magnified by time you reach the pool, after a the winding trail. I went here just after a rainy day....so the trail for a bit slippery (I'd recommended good shoes at all times). At the entry point we received information on the bacteria levels of the pool, which was way to high for a dip on the day of our visit. Still, we enjoyed the rocks, the dripping water, and pool that shimmered under the sunlight. This place is a good stop for catching a glimpse of nature's picturesque beauty!