Have you taken a visit to Inks Lake State Park for a splash in Devil’s Waterhole? Located about 50 miles northwest of Austin in Burnet, Texas, Inks Lake State Park is a gorgeous Hill Country gem known for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, picturesque sunsets, and of course jumping off rocks into the cool waters of the Devil’s Waterhole. Because the water in this lake comes from the Colorado River and usually stays consistent, you can enjoy it year round and go for a swim on any day the weather is warm enough for a dip.
Devil’s Waterhole is a popular natural swimming area that’s surrounded by beautiful rock formations on the northeast side of the park. You can take a short hike to it (easily following marked signs within the park), or you can access it by paddle. This swimming spot features the park’s big rocks with ledges rising up to 40 feet above the water. Do take note that while diving and swimming are allowed at the waterhole, there is no lifeguard, so you will swim at your own risk. In other words, please be careful!
Because Inks Lake State Park is very popular for day trips and camping, reservations were booking up weeks in advance over summertime weekends. We actually secured our day passes about a month in advance, only to wake up to rainy, cooler weather on the day of our reservation. While our plans to swim were thrown off, we decided to go anyhow and hike around. The rain proved to be perfect! We hardly saw anyone else in the park, and the clouds kept us cool on our hike!
Please enjoy some of our photos below of our rainy day hike at Inks Lake State Park, and be sure to book your reservations for a future day visit or overnight campout. Rain or shine, Inks Lake should be on everyone’s list of places to visit in the Texas Hill Country!
More Info: If you’re visiting to swim, we highly recommend wearing water shoes, bringing along floats, folding chairs or picnic blankets, plenty of water and snacks, and bug spray, too. You will find many more park details on the Inks Lake State Park website where you can also book your reservation. Day passes are $7 for adults, and children ages 12 & under are free.
