Hamilton Pool Preserve

I really enjoyed my visit to Hamilton Pool Preserve. The hike down to the river was almost a mile, a bit longer but worth it for the peaceful scenery. The famous pool is located on the other side, about a 15-minute hike, separate from the river, and it’s truly the highlight of the preserve. I went on a holiday when swimming was allowed, but chose not to swim since the water level was low and I didn’t want to disturb the fish that were swimming around. It was just as nice to sit back and watch them. The staff were also very kind and helpful, which made the day even better.

We visited Hamilton Pool Preserve on a rare spring morning, arriving right as the gates opened for our reserved time slot. The forecast had called for rain, and it did briefly sprinkle just before our hike began, making the trail a bit slick. Thankfully, walking sticks were available at the entrance, which helped on the steeper, uneven sections of the trail. The hike down to the grotto is short but moderately challenging, with stone steps and natural obstacles. Once at the pool, we were struck by the unique beauty of the setting, a collapsed grotto, sheer limestone walls, and lush greenery clinging to the cliffs. Unfortunately, due to ongoing drought conditions in Texas, the waterfall was only a light seep through the rocks. Most of the grotto was also off-limits due to falling rock hazards, which was a bit of a letdown since much of the promotional imagery and videos highlight access that is no longer available. That said, the preserve still holds incredible value. We continued our hike to the Pedernales River and were rewarded with wildflowers, lizards, and the quiet beauty of the Texas Hill Country. For birders and nature lovers, this place remains a gem, even in drought. Hamilton Pool Preserve is a place of natural and historical significance, and it's clear that the staff and stewards are working hard to protect it. While the waterfall itself may not be flowing like it once did, the hike and surrounding environment still offer a rewarding and worthwhile visit. Come prepared, manage expectations, and let nature reveal her quieter forms of magic. Four stars for the stunning setting and the well-maintained trails, minus one for the limited access to the grotto and the ongoing effects of drought on the experience. Still very much worth a visit, especially for those who appreciate the subtle beauty of the land.

The greatest , most refreshing , beautiful , spacious swimming hole in hill county. It’s best to go during april - august for the clearest and cleanest water. You can also swim in the pedernales river. YOU NEED TO RESERVE BEFORE YOU GO

Stopped by Hamilton Pool while visiting Dripping Springs and the scenery was absolutely stunning. The natural beauty of the area is unreal—peaceful, lush, and a perfect escape into nature. Was a bit disappointed to find the overhanging cliff trail closed due to safety concerns, but still had a great time exploring the area and soaking in the views. Definitely worth the visit if you’re in the area!

Worst. Waste of time and money. Trail is good but no waterfall. Pool is small and too many bookings for a small size. Felt like little dirty pond. Too many restrictions due to danger of rocks falling from above.

Beginner friendly hiking trail that leads up to a beautiful clear blue pool. Depending on the weather and the season you go on, sometimes you will see the waterfall, and other times it will be nonexistent. Plan accordingly if you’re going to see the waterfall specifically. The hike is about 0.25 miles and isn’t very hard. Great place for people who like, or are interested in, a beginner friendly hiking trial or river trails. Water was cold on my last visit, so didn’t get to go swimming, but again, depending on the weather, it’s a great spot to cool off if going during summer time (sometimes they do close it off for swimming too, such as during Covid or when algae gets too much). If you do get in to go swimming, be careful since there’s no lifeguards on duty here. They also don’t allow pets (even on a leash), no drones, no feeding fish or wildlife, no glass containers, no stoves or starting a campfire, and no camping!🏕️ Overall, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a must visit for anyone in or around ATX, nature lovers, and beginner hiking enthusiasts looking to be rewarded with a beautiful view of the blue pool at the end of a trail. Highly recommended! 🛶🏊‍♀️🌲

Not like the pictures that we experienced in September. Water is very dirty and felt waste of the money spent for reservation(12$) and they are charging 8$ per person at the entrance again. The trail back the falls is closed at this time. I hope they maintain the place much cleaner

If you want to swim in cool water with limited people and spectacular views, this is the place to go. All the staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. They also have a hiking trail to the Pedernalas River that runs along the creek and is very scenic. While swimming you will see minnows, perch, catfish, and turtles. Plenty of parking under shade trees and clean restrooms. Note at the time of my visit the trail under the overhanging cliffs was closed because dangerous falling rocks. Overall wonderful place to visit!

What an incredible experience. I have to say first off, I really appreciate that it's reservations only. Doing that limits the amount of people entering at once and allowing for a more enjoyable experience. Paying for a reservation and then additional money upon arrival allows this reserve and park to be properly maintained. I'm thankful for that and for the people who take care of it. It was a bit chilly the morning we went and the water was freezing. I still went in! I wanted the full experience and I got it. The way the water in the pool meets the rock formations is breath-taking. As is the rest of the park. It was a nice area to hike and breathe in nature.

A little slice of paradise, right outside of Austin! I went for the first time with my family and friends this past November and because we stopped by off-season, we had the entire grotto to ourself for a beautiful, tranquil thirty minutes. I was immediately taken by the blue-green water, so clear that you could see dozens of catfish living their best life right underneath the surface. Outlined by a limstone canyon, I felt like I was an extra in a movie. I'm not someone who usually swims when the weather is any less than 90 degrees, but the lagoon was so beautiful I could not resist jumping in. The water was cool and refreshing -- and I'm sure there are some types of health benefits from all of the natural sediment in the water (at least that is what I told myself). Things to note: - Bring cash to park - Bathrooms are clean, use before getting on the trail - There is a short hike from the parking lot to the grotto. It was a little challenging but my three-year old did it in a pair of crocs with no problem. - Bring towels, a small blanket to sit on, and snacks - No lifeguard, but there is a really friendly ranger who is happy to tell you about the history of the area and answer any questions - In the past several years they have had to close down certain parts of the grotto due to falling limestone. There is also no waterfall due to lack of rain. Be nice to the planet, climate change is real. Hope this area will be around for my children to enjoy in the future.

An Austin classic... it's not in Austin itself but definitely a place to check out if you are in the area. I've been a couple of times and always have so much fun. The trail is pretty easy and depending on the health of the water, you'll be informed of it's safe to swim or not. I recommend taking some snacks to picnic around there and of course, please pick up after yourself. They try to get people to make reservations before going, for crowd control and they try to be as ecologically friendly as possible. I'll be back again many more times and I can't recommend it enough for nature lovers.

Hamilton Pools used to be a cool gem now it's not. I came here about 6 years ago and decided to come back with my family so they can experience what I experienced 6 years ago, definitely was not it. The water wasn't crystal clear anymore it look so dirty and brown. Almost a very big chunk if not all the pool is closed off and can't swim past a square. Almost felt like we were in a fish tank with only so much to swim in. The area to the beach is very crowded with people and nowhere to sit anymore. The only square area you're allowed to swim in has debris and dirt floating everywhere they pretty much only let you swim in the nasty water. Definitely don't recommend anymore. There's way more hidden gems and better pools to go enjoy your day at with the family! Hopefully they rethink and open the pool again to how it used to be and take care of it more cause this place used to be awesome and now it isn't.

Lackluster. You need to make reservations in advanced to hike this short trail and reach the pool. I would say it's easy-moderate hiking but a very short trail. Parking is paid for at the gate with cash. The water wasn't flowing at of July 2024 so it was a pretty stagnant water pool with a few catfish. You can't walk on the rocks near the waterfall area due to safety. There's a park ranger also watching people to ensure everyone is following the rules. It was cool swimming with the catfish but I was definitely hesitant going in the water given the lack of water flow from anywhere. I would say this is a total skip and no longer looks anything like what social media may portray.

Very very neat! Sad we came during the time that there wasn't a waterfall, but it was still very neat. They currently have the trail going under the falls closed, which was a bummer. But it's beautiful still and I would highly recommend!

3/4 stars. Pretty place and probably even more amazing when waterlevels are higher. Only reason not 5 stars is because we couldn't swim or go around the pool on our walk. For now, its a scenic place to take a small little walk. I also thought it was highly inconvenient that we had to go back out of our reservation to go get cash for entrance. we thought when we made the reservation online that would cover everything.

I was very happy to grab a reservation for our day out of Austin. We really lucked out with being able to swim in the water. It has been closed all week and just reopened the morning of our reservation. My husband and I arrived at the very start of our reservation and had the whole place to ourselves for a good 10 minutes before others started to arrive. It never felt crowded the whole time but there was a threat of rain so I'm not sure if everyone that had a reservation did decide to show up. There were also very few people that stayed the whole reservation time as many people came and went throughout the afternoon.

Beautiful, but a very short hike and reservations must be made months in advance. Swimming was allowed in mid September this year, but the catfish will swarm you. $8 cash entrance fee for cars in addition to the initial reservation.

Short but challenging hike to the pool. Many birds doing loops and synchronized flying. Very large catfish (now called Texas Sharks by my family ). Well worth the trip. Oh, you'll need reservations.

This place was nice to visit although it's about a 45-minute drive from the city of Austin. The drive was quite. Reservations are needed and they do fill up fast on the weekends. We were able to go on a weekday when it was less crowded. When we got there the workers were nice and explained everything that we needed to know. We opted to do the longer hike that led to the river. It was a short mile-ish hike that was mostly flat. At the end was a secluded river that we were able to take the sights in. We then headed back to the pool where we had a small picnic. The pool was nice and cold but the sand to go into the pool was a bit rocky. When we were here they did not allow anyone to go underneath because rocks were falling and we did hear some rocks falling and hitting the water. All in all this was a beautiful swimming pool that I would definitely visit again.

I have been wanting to visit this place for years and recently i had the chance to go and it was awesome! I seen pictures about this place and always wanted to and cross it off my Texas to do list and i can happily say i visited this place! For starters you have to plan in advance, the peak season for visiting is around February till about September. During these times a reservation is required, no reservation no entrance to the park and they are strict! When I went there was a car behind me and they were talking to the admission guard for a while and they were turned right back around. The park staff that took my reservation number and admission fee were nice and answer all the questions I had about the park. Go online to Travis county parks and rec and follow the links to reserve your spot to visit. Times available are from 9 am till noon and from 1pm to 5 pm. It will show you how many 'slots' are available as the parking lot is small. It is an $11 fee to reserve your spot and you will need to bring cash $15 for the actual entry fee to the pool. I reserved my spot for June all the way back in April and there were plenty of spots open for June and July. It does say on the website that swimming is not guaranteed due to high water levels or/and high bacteria etc. Next, let me tell you the email i got 3 days before my reservation. I got that dreadful email telling me no swimming would be allowed due to high bacterial level, it gave me the option to reschedule my reservation without any additional fee. It also said that my reservation was good to re-schedule up to like 150 days. If i did not use it i would get a voucher to try another day. I had until midnight the night before to cancel or reschedule but i decided to go ahead and visit the pool anyway even if I was not allowed to swim. The day before it rained heavily overnight and the water levels were higher than normal causing no swimming allowed. It is about a 45-minute drive from Austin to dripping springs and let me tell you it is a beautiful scenic drive. This is a true gem hidden in the hill country and I allowed myself an hour to get there and it was easy to get there. I arrived around 11:30 am because there was no point in going at 9 am due to the no swimming allowed. The walk from the parking lot to the pool was short and downhill. There are benches along the way to stop and taking in the natural beauty or to just take a break. They do allow coolers and food(no glass containers) into the park but I just brought my backpack with lots of water and snacks. When swimming is allowed they have life jackets available. There is a park ranger at the pool to make sure people are not swimming when they are not supposed to. Around 30 minutes before the time reservation closes they go around to inform people it is time to head back to the parking lot. There are no lifeguards on duty so swim at your own risk. When i went it was humid but there is plenty of shade. People brought their own chairs and blankets and since swimming was not allowed many were just having a picnic, reading a book or just simply walking around taking pictures. I like how they limit the number of people allowed in the park because that prevents the pool from being overcrowded plus it makes it ideal to take pictures without people in your way. I enjoyed my visit even if i did not get to swim. I spend about an hour walking the trails and taking pictures before I headed back to the parking lot. Overall I really encourage everyone who even though about visiting to just go for it and visit even if you don't get to swim in it. It is definitely worth checking out this gem deep in the heart of Texas! I can't wait to go back!

Avoid until further notice. I secured reservations over one month before going but ended up wasting the $12 reservation fee because of the ever-changing rules and restrictions. As of now you'll pay $28 for two people ($12 fee to reserve PLUS $8 each) to walk up to the pool and see it, that's it, nothing more. You can't swim and you can't walk anywhere near the waterfall. I understand not being able to swim, but when I booked the reservation there was no indication any parts of the trial would be closed. I'd avoid going here and instead, visit Jacob's Well and the Blue Hole Swimming preserve because they're both free, open, and beautiful places.

Wow, this place is absolutely gorgeous! It's hard to believe it's only 45 minutes outside of Austin, TX. The minute I saw pictures of this place, I knew I had to make my way here during my visit in Austin. You won't regret it! I checked the Travis County Parks website to make reservations for Hamilton Pool Preserve the minute it was available. You get a choice of a morning (9am-1pm) or afternoon (2pm-6pm) reservation. I opted for the morning one and showed up at 9:30am to be one of the first few people there. The reservation costs $11 to book online plus an additional $15 per vehicle in cash for an entrance permit when you arrive at the preserve. The hike to the pool itself was a mere quarter mile although a bit rugged and rigid, so be prepared. Once we arrived, the view was amazing. The water is crystal clear and the waterfall falling into this grotto is just a sight to see! There are life vests provided (but no life guard), so you can even go swimming in the pool. It was too cold to go in during my visit, but I'm definitely making it a priority to come back during the summer to swim here. One of the most beautiful hidden treasures I've seen yet --love it!

A shell of its former self. No waterfall, cant hike the trail, also restricted to a roped off section to swim in thats the size of a hotel pool. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else.

Great spot to visit! We were one of the first to arrive and it made it magical. Such a classic Texas bucket list location.

Finally had an opportunity to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve. I was meeting some friends at Commons Ford Park so I made reservations. That has GOT to be the dumbest process. Pay on-line and then pay ONLY cash in person for each person when you arrive. They have been plagued by people reserving all the spots & reselling them. Not sure this new process is helping much. Just collect all money ahead of time and only let the folks in who register. It's how practically everything else in the world works. This place is insanely popular, so it would work and reduce the # of resold tickets. Anyway, that frustration aside, it was a pleasant visit. The place is spectacular even in the dry season when I went. You hike about .25 mile down a very slick path. It's all exposed limestone that has been worn down so be very careful. This is not close to an ADA flat road, so you've been warned. At the bottom, you can go left .75 miles to the river or right a couple hundred yards to the pool. You can no longer walk behind the falls because the ceiling is now unstable but you can still enjoy the scenery. I think you can swim, but it was a no go for me in January! Definitely a place you should attempt to visit, just be prepared for a very Byzantine process and keep trying.

Beautiful and pristine natural swimming pool just 40 min outside of Austin. It is a popular destination and requires reservations so definitely plan ahead. We lucked out and was able to snatch up a last minute cancellation reservation on our trip and it was definitely worth refreshing the website for 30 min straight at 1130pm the week before our trip to find those reservations. The hike up to the pool is about 0.5 miles from the parking lot so it is good for family with little kids. I guess you can even swim if the bacterial level is low but unfortunately the swimming was not recommended during our visit. There is another trail that is a bit more rigorous called a river trail that's about a mile on the other side of the pool and it was definitely worth the extra hike to reach the river. It's a pretty big area with lots of rocks to climb and the water was clean for a quick dip when you reach the river.

The wine tasting was an awesome experience and the environment is AMAZING! Great award winning wines and the employees are super nice and accommodating! Make this a stop on your visit to the hill country!!!

We had to get a reservation but when we got there which took us 2 hours they said no swimming today and there is no refunds! It's not an open pool because you have to make reservations why did they change the rules when we already made the reservation and they said "sorry it's part of the game" like what the he'll 1 star there glad I can't put 0 stars!

This place is the most hidden gem of Austin, which is why reservations even on weekdays can get scarce. If you have a friend visiting town or aren't in a rush yourself, I recommend booking ahead online. I brought my friend on a weekday and it was the perfect density of visitors. We felt like we weren't walking side by side and could take in the beauty of this natural body of water. I would go back a second time, and likely carry a towel in my backpack or even a small chair. Just note walking around, the paths get tight. When you cross over to the other side of the waterfall, it's a pebble stone-like sandy area to rest at. The day that my friend and I visited, people weren't allowed in the water, but that isn't always the case - updates should be online.

If you're visiting Austin, Texas, love the outdoors, or want something truly spectacular to share on your Insta story then a visit to Hamilton Pool Preserve is a must! Heads up: Reservations are required along with a $15 cash fee per vehicle, and spaces are limited so plan ahead accordingly. There is a bit of a rocky hike downhill to get to the pool, but the trail is well-marked. Hamilton Pool is a natural pool surrounded by large slabs of limestone. Drops of water fall into the pool from the stalactites above it, and there is also a breathtaking waterfall that hits a large boulder. The flow of the fall varies depending on the time of year and rainfall. When my friend and I went a few days ago it was late summer and the fall wasn't too powerful, which attracted a lot of people for photo ops. The spring water itself is incredibly refreshing and not too cool! I loved getting to swim under the stalactites and watch the water droplets fall in slow motion onto my face and into the water. There are also quite a few friendly catfish in the water who will swim right beside you in the shallower parts of the water. If you've never been to Hamilton Pool you are doing yourself a disservice. Make a reservation today and go take in this incredible natural beauty!

5 solid stars for this park and their beautiful, breathtaking views. I love the outdoors and today was a good idea to try my new hiking shoes. I have lived in Austin for ten years and I have heard how beautiful this place was. Sadly, the crowds deterred me from coming. I learned that beginning May 1 through Sept 30th you will have to start making reservations to visit so I was contemplating on doing that, but we wanted to just try to go there. Let's do it! We arrived and there is a tent you pull up to. They will explain that there is a $15 entrance fee and it's cash only. They warned us that the parking lot was full so it was going to be a wait that could take up to 30 minutes. We were ok with that so we pulled forward to wait. The wait was only twenty minutes. The line moves nicely. The trail leading to the Hamilton Pool area was not bad at all. Just be careful since the trail has uneven ground and the area where it is wet may be slippery. The views were breathtaking! I can see why people want to come here. A girl that was leaving said, "Don't go to the left of the trail. It's a joke!" I wasn't sure what she meant so we walked up the trail all the way around the pool. We decided to walk the .6 mile to the Pedernales River. The trail felt so long since it was 84 degrees outside. Oopsy. When we got to the end I was like "Is this it?" That's when I realized what the girl who passed by me was meaning when she said don't go left. I posted a pic here of what I saw. I definitely want to get outdoors more so I hope to come back and see the beauty again. Maybe coming early so it's not as hot. Love this place. Thank you!

Gorgeous! Everyone should see this place at least once. 9-1 or 2-6. Make reservations online - $11. Then pay additional $15/carload at the gate for up to 8 people. No pets, glass or alcohol. It's a pretty steep walk to the pool, so wear sensible shoes. Sometimes you can swim, sometimes not (bacteria levels). It's still worth it even if you can't swim. Pretty waterfall, flora & fauna, water, wildlife. The people are the only detractors. Be nice to the fish!

THEY ALLOW SWIMMING AGAIN!! Check their website before you go, in case they close swimming again. Also, if you plan on coming here during the summer, you MUST make a reservation. Hamilton Pool is a must-see when visiting Austin. It is a beautiful, natural pool with waterfalls. Just breathtaking and the water is so clean and clear. There is a small beach area to sit at and you can also walk around the pool, in the grotto. Love it! Even though it's about a 10 minute hike from the parking lot, they offer walking sticks, if needed. They have free life vests to use. It's $11 when you book your reservation online. At the entrance, you will have to pay an additional $15. Cash only. If you visited Reimer's Ranch or any other Travis County parks beforehand, show them that pass and it will only cost $5 to get in. Note, there are two sessions, 9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. No entry 30 minutes before each session ends. You have to leave by the end of the sessions so make sure you have enough time to spend there!

I feel like giving a monument like Hamilton Pool anything less than five stars is one of the most asshole things anyone could possibly do. Hamilton Pool is beautiful. There's not much else to say, I could pontificate for a while about how pleasant it is or I could bitch about how difficult it is to get in now that you need reservations. I wont however do any of those things because Hamilton Pool is beautiful. Make reservations, take a hike here if the weathers warm swim but most importantly stop, breathe and enjoy something transcendentally beautiful.

I came during the winter, when no one was in the water (except some crazy kids for like... 30 seconds). It was beautiful just to be there, see it, and walk around it, though. I heard it's much more crowded during the summer time, because you can actually swim in the pool, but I was happy with my winter time visit. The hike down to the pool is not that strenuous - I saw many kids and elderly people along the path. The trail that goes down towards the river was a pleasant walk, as well. I thought it was neat seeing how some of the trees grew right out of the water - at times, it felt like something you'd see in a movie. In terms of hikes we did in the Austin area, this one was most enjoyable for me because of the pool, but if you're looking for a challenging or rigorous hike, you won't find it here. There was also a $15 per car admission fee, which I felt was worth it.

Like fools we tried to visit on opening day May 1st without a reservation. Turns out all the signs were correct and you actually need a reservation. But, by luck they had reservations online for the next day. $10 to reserve, $15 to enter the park and we were set. The parking lot holds something like 75 cars and that's all they allow to visit at a time. There are two sessions, 9 am - 1 pm and from 2 pm - 6 pm. Swimming is disallowed 30 minutes prior to the end of the session. Once you enter the park, you'll hike about a third of a mile to the pool. The pool and water fall are incredible. The park is clean and the rangers are friendly and helpful. They are also quite stern and keep people from doing stupid things. There is a swim beach that you can spread out a blanket or towels to bask in the sun or have a picnic. On our visit the water was a brisk 67 degrees so we didn't spend a ton of time in water. Prior to returning to the car we hiked back toward the parking lot but stayed to the left and followed the trail to the river. It's nearly 2 miles round trip but totally worth it. Wear appropriate shoes, I found out quickly that flip flops are not appropriate hiking attire. The views all throughout this park are stunning. The trees, vegetation, water and wildlife are spectacular.

Came here on a holiday weekend and made a reservation way in advance. I made sure to add this to my list of places to visit during my trip. Surprisingly there was no one on the trail to the pool despite the parking lot being packed. I wish we came when there was an opportunity to actually get in the water. Still a great short hike and amazing views.

Photos do not do this gem any justice! Visit in person and not virtually! I was visiting a good friend in Austin which is about an hour away, give or take. I've had this destination on my list for a while and doing my research, I thought that reservations were needed regardless of swimming or not. I was under the impression that the numbers of visitors are limited to avoid over crowding. My friend Abbey suggested we drive by anyway and see if we can get in and WE DID! The hike isn't challenging at all! There are inclines but doable! There is so much vegetation and the water is a beautiful blue-green, turquoise color. Walking up to the pool and grotto had me at an aw! The beauty of this place struck me and I was speechless. There are ferns, a waterfall, rock formations, etc, there is so much to see! Walking around, behind the waterfall is a sight to see! I can only imagine how it is to swim in the water on a hot Texas day, must be magical! Pros: - So much to see! - The hike isnt too challenging - They provide walking sticks Cons: - Parking fills up, come early! - Overcrowding Bookmark this place and make a trip out!

This place is absolutely beautiful and secluded!!! Hamilton Pool has beautiful pools, a large cavern, and beautiful trials! It's just gorgeous! The main pool is the natural spring preserve that Hamilton Pool is know for. However there is another trial that takes you on a 25 minute hike to the the river, definitely worth the hike! The pool is refreshingly cool with crystal clear water! So clear you can see the fish in the water (of course when people start to stir the water it will get less clear). Its just amazing! THINGS TO REMEMBER PRIOR TO GOING: Dont forget to reserve your time well ahead of time, at least a few weeks ahead of time. You'll need to pay $11 to make the reservation online and $15 to get into the park, Cash only, so bring cash! It's all well worth it Bring cash for the entrance fee and pack chairs/food and drinks (The picnic tables are only located near the parking lot Wear good water shoes (you'll need them for the rocky bottom pool)

A beautiful place to check out if you're near Austin. Parking is $15 cash only. I came here during the winter time so we were able to get in easily. On their website, it said you don't need to make reservations as of right now. Always check their website for updates as the pool may be closed due to bad weather. Currently right now, there is no swimming. No pets are allowed or alcohol. After you paid the parking fee, they will give you a parking ticket to display on your dashboard. Keep the ticket because it can get you into other places such as the Hippie Hollow Park. Valid only for that day. After you've parked, follow the trail to the pool. The beginning of the trail is a bit rocky so make sure you're careful going down the rocks. There is a station with walking sticks. I would suggest getting one. It's quite useful if you're clumsy like me. There are also people coming back from the pool so take turn letting each other go first. On the trail, you get a nice view of nature. The pool has a small waterfall. Great place to take pictures. The day that I came was especially cold so there were a few icicles hanging. Some areas were blocked off at this time. Not much to do since there is no swimming. You can just enjoy the waterfall and nature. I will definitely have to come back in the summer to get the full experience.

My boyfriend and I were in Austin for a weekend in mid-December for a wedding and this was something that I absolutely wanted to check out. We drove straight here after we landed at the Austin airport and arrived around 3PM. There was no line to enter the parking lot and we paid a $15 admission fee to park. The walk over took us about 15-20 minutes because we took lots of pictures along the way. I couldn't help but to stop often because it was so beautiful and peaceful! It felt really nice to be in the middle of nature and I only wish we had gotten there earlier to enjoy it all longer.

I took my former boss here with his family when they came to visit from Minnesota on a sweltering hot day a few weeks ago with the hubby since we have never been and I have never seen a collapsed grotto in real life. Used the online reservation system and it was painless getting a reservation during the week a couple of weeks before hand. Did the afternoon session and got in a little after the time slot since we got some food to have a picnic here at. Tons of rules but you can pretty much do whatever you want as long as you aren't stupid about it. We just ate at the picnic table so we wouldn't have to trudge down the path with 3 kids in tow and a bunch of food. That was a good life decision. You can drink adult beverages, just no glass and cover it with a coozie. The walking path is very nice to get to the swimming hole, we did see a baby snake unidentified but most likely poisonous when you were almost to the swimming hole hanging out on a log so just be careful. The beach is small and rocky, but we spent most of our time in that water. It was so cool and delightful. I walked around the back and got some great pictures and walked over to the waterfall which gives you a nice massage. You can swim to it as well, but I am not the best swimmer so I kind of hung onto my hubby and had him pull me around where it got deeper. No lifeguard, slippery rocks so it can be deadly...use your common sense. This is such a gem, I hope that it continues to stay as gorgeous as it is and we don't mess it up. The online reservation system in the summer is great, no line no crowd just in and out pretty much. We are definitely coming back during a weekday to just pretend we are in our own secret paradise.

Hamilton Pool is truly gorgeous: I saw it and thought I wasn't in Texas any more, and must have found myself in the Caribbean. To just walk down to the pool and look at the water then turn back would be a very short visit. To maximize your enjoyment, I recommend also doing the river trail, which is a beautiful, shady walk, and much less crowded than the swimming hole/pool. The whole experience was lovely and peaceful and a real oasis in the hill country. The actual swimming area isn't open right now (summer 2021), and often is closed for swimming because of bacteria levels. There's a ranger there, making sure people don't swim, so you won't be able to sneak in! Unfortunately, the 2021 winter freeze meant that there was structural damage to the area by the waterfall, so you can't walk near there. What prevents this from being a 5 star rating is the fact that the admission fees are quite high, compared to other state or county parks (which are either free or $8 per person): you'll pay $12 per car to reserve a spot (think of it is a parking/reservation fee) and an additional $8 cash per person, meaning it winds up being a $14/person entry fee if you go as a couple. It was worth it to me, especially since we did the river trail, but might not be worth it to everyone.

CAUTION. COVID19 RULES. Although the spot is extremely beautiful, you have to reserve ($11). Then when you get there, they charge you per person and tell you that due to Covid19, you cannot swim. So you are being charged to look at a pool.

It's quite difficult to get a weekend reservation here, but it seems like the best time to look is a few days before the end of the month (for trips in the next month). It is about a 0.25 mile walk down to the pool. There are two places along the way with benches where you can stop to rest if needed. The bathrooms were currently closed, but there are porta potties at the entrance and halfway down the trail. It is very family friendly, the trail was very easy to maneuver. When getting to the pool, it was overall underwhelming. It is basically a beach-like area overlooking a huge green-blue pool with a rocky overhang. Water flows over that overhang which produces a 'waterfall.' You are currently unable to walk around the pool and under the waterfall so I was a little disappointed. The pool is also closed for swimming. We took pictures and left, overall spent a little less than an hour here.

Beautiful natural pool. Make reservations online!!! They book up super fast during the summer. We made reservations two months in advanced for the 9am time slot and were the first ones to the pool around 9:30am. Unfortunately, we got an email a few days before that the bacteria levels were too high to swim, but we still enjoyed walking around the area. The hike to the pool is easy at 0.25 miles, but a little harder on the way back since you're going uphill. It's rocky, so wear shoes or super stable sandals! Be sure to come early for your time slot, whether it be 9am or 2pm - try to be there right when it starts! You'll beat the crowds and the fight for parking (sometimes they overbook and you might not be able to find parking..)

Absolutely beautiful! Nice short hike that's kid friendly. December had beautiful fall color. Please remember to make a reservation before you drive out there.

Know Before You Go: First timer here, and man what a neat experience! This is the season where reservations are required. You'll need to reserve online thru Travis County Parks and the fee is $11. You will need cash for entry into the park. Fee is $15. Reservations time slots are 9:00am-1:00 pm or 2:00pm-6:00pm. A park employee comes around 30 minutes before the reservation is over and asks that everyone head back to their car. There's also a trail on opposite end of the pool. but it was closed off for repair. It's a pretty simple walk down, but be aware the path is very tight and is not wide enough for to and from traffic. So you may need to wait on the side while people in the opposite direction walk thru. It is a beautifully breathtaking view. Definitely IG worthy. Can't wait to come back when it's warmer and take a dip in the water.

This place is beautiful. Reserve online, pay the ranger, take a short hike/stroll to the beautiful waterfall and then continue the other side. What a beautiful place. I want to come back to swim when it's warmer. The water looks so clear and refreshing.

Magical hidden place, water super cold since it isn't so hot, but the trail and view awe-inspirational

When I visited the Hamilton Pool Preserve a few months ago, I thought this place was a wonderful place to go for a walk and/or a dip in the water! The water is super clear! I loved looking in the water to see what kinds of fishes were swimming in there! Make sure that you make a reservation and go early because it gets packed easily!!

Came here in early 2020, before COVID shut downs happened. It was a gorgeous location, with an icy cold swimming hole. As two visitors from Maine, we decided to take a dip in the water, despite the frigidity. 45 degree water doesn't feel so bad when you came from a snowy, ten degree state. I was glad to have our family to show us around and book us a time slot to swim. I can imagine how insane this place must be in the summer. For a place with a tiny beach and just a few gathering places around the edge of the pool, people were setting up a whole coolers, tables, and bring in food platters. Would definitely come back here in the colder weather and avoid the crowds.

Before coming to Austin, I had made reservations online for a time slot. They are incredibly strict with these, so don't bother showing up outside of your time frame because they won't let you in (not even to use the restrooms..). It is quite a walk from the parking lot to the actual pool. The walk includes a lot of stones on the trail as well as steps. I saw multiple people with coolers and supplies for their kids in carts, but those are extremely hard to take to the pool because you will need to carry it the entire time. I feel like they should have made this clearer. I luckily packed light and was able to bypass a lot of people en route to the pool. Since I got there early, it was not yet crowded and I could enjoy a quiet walk around the pool. Unfortunately, 30 minutes later there were close to 100 people crammed on the little beach area and in the water, making this idyllic place much less enjoyable.

Hamilton Pool strives to preserve this little gem. When I came, reservations were not necessary. However, they are now to limit the amount of people coming in, and to maximize the authenticity of nature. The water contamination is still an issue, especially after it rains. Make sure to check out the website before making the drive! Also, DON'T FORGET water shoes, a floatie, and some nice refreshments to relax and enjoy nature.

I have been to a lot of amazing places all over and Hamilton Pool is in the top 5 for most beautiful places I have ever seen. Its incredible walking down the path seeing some water and trees growing in the middle and then all of a sudden this glorious pool is in front of you! Its so breathtaking and surreal for it to be here in Dripping Springs. It almost could pass as something created for a movie scene and not a natural preserve. I took my parents and my mother said it is the most beautiful place she has ever been to in her life. She has a hard time walking over the stumps in the path to get here and I felt horrible watching her struggle to get down, but seeing her face and hearing how much she loved it made that treck down and back up worth it. She oohed and ahhed the entire time. Unfortunately we couldnt swim because the bacteria was too high, but it was still an awesome visit with her.

Hamilton Pool is my heaven on Earth. This 50-foot waterfall trickles from a mammoth limestone grotto and into a sea foam green pool--a cold pool at that. But with a quarter-mile hike through rocks and trees and carrying a cooler to get to this sweet paradise, plunging into that chilly water feels phenomenal. For any traveler or person hosting out of towners--or co-eds looking to skip class on a scorching day--Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve is a must-see and do. Though there is no lifeguard on duty, swimming is sometimes not permitted, so call ahead before you go. And as others mentioned, go early because there is a 75-car max 'til they start the "one car out, one car in" system. And don't forget your cash, because there's an entry fee: only eight dollars a vehicle Wear comfy tennis shoes for the hike, but don't forget your flip-flops because the rocky sands are too tough for even the manliest feet. And maybe the taking the cooler isn't the best idea. I mean, you can do it, but did you really go down there to eat and drink? I say take light snacks, drinks (maybe a beer or two, or mimosas in a plastic container, ahem) your portable folding chair, some tanning oil (or sun block) and just wear yourself out swimming. On another note, the water was murky and brown this past visit my sisters and I made, which was disappointing because I promised that it was such a sight to see. It still was, but I think the rain waters put a damper on this view, literately. I guess it wouldn't hurt to call and ask about that too before you go. And if you're with someone who needs special assistance getting down that trail, they do have a paved driveway that goes all the way down and if you call ahead they can help make arrangements to accommodate him/her. Restrooms are on site, and they also do guided tours and hiking (I've never gone down that trail, yet.). For more historical information, check out the official site on the 8000-year-old gem. http://www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/hamilton_pool.asp

My sister and brother in law were turned away at the entrance because they are VERY STRICT about rules and it is unclear on the website. You need to comb through every detail on the website. Be prepared to be turned away if you don't get every detail correct. They need to be more flexible because plans can change last minute especially for families. My sisters family and my family came to visit my sister who just moved to Austin Texas. We have not seen each other for at least six months. We wanted to do a fun family hike on Christmas day altogether. However when we arrive, the man at the front desk was pretty rude to us and told us that we don't have much time and we can easily be turned away at the bottom even after we hike all the way down to the pool. I think it was unnecessary that he told us that. And he was a bit aggressive. So then when we arrive to the parking lot there were plenty other cars and families hiking the trail! Then when we hiked down to the pool there was a Ranger that reiterated the same thing, that we only have 2 to 3 minutes to take photos and enjoy the pool. I did not fly few hundred miles just to see this pool for 2 to 3 minutes. Then he offered to take a photo for all of us, which I thought was nice, however he made this offhanded comment saying that we should feel "blessed" that he is taking a group photo for us because he doesn't usually do this. OK, why do you need to say that??? It is very unfortunate that it is such a nice natural place, however run by very rude staff and it just makes for overall bad experience. If you come here, expect to be barked at.