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Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve

Dripping Springs, Texas

4.1/5
based on 15 reviews

Details

Distance

0.46 miles

Elevation Gain

26 ft

Description

Added by Sarah Williams

Enjoy a clear, natural pool in a beautiful, overhanging rock cave. This is a great place to swim with family or friends and the 50-foot waterfall makes for amazing pictures.

Hamilton Pool Preserve, about a 45 minute drive from Austin, TX, is one of the most beautiful places to spend a hot, Texas afternoon. A short hike from the parking lot through a wooded forest opens up onto a scenic, natural pool. The small beach to one side is usually dotted with sunbathers and picnicing families, enjoying relaxing day out of the city.

The park has a limited capacity, and often fills up on warm weekends and even weekdays. Be sure to arrive early to avoid lines.

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Features

Chillin
Photography
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Picnic Area
Romantic
Scenic
Waterfall
Swimming Hole

Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve Reviews

Very cool and worth the trip. Be sure to call ahead to ensure open- they are closed a lot for bacteria levels being high.

This is an obvious must-do if in the hill country. In season, bring your trunks; off-season, bring your camera. However, you'll want to time it carefully. If there hasn't been a lot of rain, flow can drop to almost nothing, and the water becomes very muddy and green. If you come late in the day in mid-summer (especially weekends) the crowds are serious. This is more of an issue with parking, as the parking lot is limited capacity, and once it fills up, you can only wait until someone leaves to be allowed to enter the park (though they might make exceptions for motorcycles). Come in the morning, and you will find the water a lot less murky, and have it more yo yourself.

Must see gem in Texas! Less busy in the off-season such as the winter. There is also a trail you can take the opposite way of Hamilton Pool and there are little mini-pools you can swim in as well if you are there on a crowded day.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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