Hamilton Pool is a gorgeous natural gem located just a short 45-minute drive from Austin to Dripping Springs, but its breathtaking beauty makes you feel like you’re so far from home. This fascinating recreation destination features a collapsed grotto with beautiful blue-green water, surrounded by awesome rock formations and also boasts a 50-foot waterfall. Hamilton Pool Preserve also has numerous hiking trails to enjoy year-round where you can spy rare plant species or birds such as Golden Cheek Warblers and Cliff Swallows. It’s really an amazing place to check out with the family.

May 2024 Update: As noted on the Hamilton Pool Preserve website, visitors are currently not permitted to get in the water due to recent rain and the potential for bacteria.  The earliest date for swimming will be May 10, 2024, and you can check up on that here. Water access is never guaranteed with a reservation.

Reservations: To plan your day at Hamilton Pool, you’ll need to reserve your ticket in advance, and then bring cash to pay in person. Get more info here.

It’s important to keep an eye on the Hamilton Pool website for all updates.

Read on about our Marketing Manager’s first time visiting this iconic, popular Central Texas swimming hole (pre-pandemic), and take note of her tips for taking your family…

The good news is that Hamilton Pool Preserve was everything and MORE than I expected. But I feel the need to start this write-up with the most important news: reservations are very hard to get! To manage the crowds at this popular destination, reservations are required to visit Hamilton Pool. Take note that cars will be turned away if they arrive without a reservation. It won’t work to just show up.

When we arrived, a friendly gate attendant checked our reservation and went over all the rules for visiting this nature preserve. We parked, stopped in the rustic restrooms, and then made our way down a quarter-mile hike to Hamilton Pool.

The trail is not far, but it’s pretty rocky and steep in sections as it descends into the canyon. (Take note that there’s no way you could get a stroller down the trail.) You’ll really want to wear some sturdy shoes on the trail and then change into water shoes when you get down to the pool. Flip flops would be hard for little feet to manage on the rocky terrain. We really enjoyed the little hike down in the morning but have to admit that it wasn’t as fun uphill in the hot summer sun on the way back up. (Just take one last jump in the cold water before making the trek back to your car to help stay cool.)

Hamilton Pool Preserve is a part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve which is a 30,428-acre system of endangered species habitat. It’s a really pretty area! Besides the hike down to the pool, there is another trail that will take you to the Pedernales River, offering plenty of nature to enjoy along your walk.

When we arrived at the pool, we were just amazed by how gorgeous it was. We put our towels and bags down on the pebbly “beach” (no sand), and enjoyed looking at the canyon and waterfall. The 50-foot waterfall is made from Hamilton Creek, which spills out over limestone into the canyon, and it never completely dries up, although it can sometimes slow down to a trickle.

The pool itself has such clear water that you can actually see all of the fish and turtles swimming around you. Water levels at this pool stay pretty constant, even during periods of drought. The middle gets very deep, and there are life jackets available onsite to borrow free of charge, which we highly recommend. Plenty of people brought big floats or pool noodles to splash around with, too. 

We had such a fun time swimming around in the pool and exploring the grounds. I will say that it did feel pretty crowded on the summer Sunday that we were there, and we totally understood why the reservation system is needed. But despite the fact that there were lots of people around us, it still felt like such a peaceful getaway — a perfect day trip from Austin.

A few notes before you go:

• Make sure you have a reservation. (See details below.)
• Print your reservation receipt and show it to the Preserve staff when you arrive (or show it on your phone).
• Hamilton Pool Preserve does not usually allow swimming after heavy rains and the threat of high bacteria, so you should always call their info line at 512-264-2740 to check first.
• Bring water shoes as well as shoes you can hike comfortably in.
• Bring drinking water. There’s no water or concessions available.
• Leave pets at home.
• Glass bottles and alcohol are prohibited.
• There is no lifeguard; put the kiddos in life jackets if they are not strong swimmers.
• All wildlife is protected at the preserve and only observation is allowed. So no fishing allowed.

Reservation Info: You can make your reservations online. For more info, you can visit the Travis County Parks website or call (512) 264-2740.