This realistic Pedernales Falls State Park Guide helps you plan your first visit to this beautiful Central Texas park.

Pedernales Falls is a Texas State Park. It is a river park with waterfalls, springs, and a large trail network. This park is a hiker’s paradise in the Texas Hill Country.

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Sights & Places of Interest

Pedernales Falls State Park has an large number of sights. There is no doubt that the cascading waterfalls are the main attraction of this park. But there are also a few other notable places of interest.

Refreshing waters of the Pedernales River provide refuge from the Texas summer heat to both wildlife and visitors. Swimming, wading, tubing, and fishing are a few common activities in Pedernales Falls.

The park has also over 45 miles (72 km) of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Most of the park trails are not too challenging in terms of the elevation gain. They are great for beginner hikers.

But a few of the trails are quite strenuous due to their length and lack of shade. Hiking these trails could be a real hazard during gruesome Texas heat. Summer temperatures of 105 °F (41 °C) are common.

This Pedernales Falls State Park Guide walks you through the key sights in the park. It starts with Pedernales Falls, continues with the trails in the Swimming Area, and finishes with Wolf Mountain.

You should read on to get a comprehensive overview of the park. Pick a trail or two to hike on a day trip to this beautiful park in Central Texas.

1. Pedernales Falls Trail System

Most visitors start exploring the park by driving to the Pedernales Falls trailhead. The parking lot is at the very end of paved Park Road 6026. It is the furthest stop from the park entrance and headquarters.

This parking lot often gets busy on weekends and public holidays. You might have to wait a few minutes for a spot to open up. Once you park your car, you could start exploring the trails in this area.

The Pedernales Falls Trail System is a 1.8-mi (2.9-km) hiking trail. It consists of a few shorter out-and-back and loop trails. Together, they bring you to the Pedernales River, Falls, and Pools.

1.1. Pedernales Falls

The shortest trail brings you to Pedernales Falls in 0.25 miles (0.4 km). There is 104 ft (32 m) in elevation gain. The falls gave the park its name. No wonder that they are a signature attraction at Pedernales Falls.

It helps to set the right expectations before visiting these waterfalls. They do not drop from a high cliff into a ravine like Gorman Falls. Instead, they look a lot like river rapids or cascades.

The falls are also not at their best when the water level is low. This often happens during the summer drought. As a result, you might be disappointed when you see them as a first-time visitor to the park.

On the bright side, you could walk along the river right next to the falls. It is not safe to swim in this section of the river. But, at least, you could get nice pictures without crowds unlike at McKinney Falls.

1.2. Pedernales River

The Pedernales Falls Trail System brings you upstream along the river next. The Pedernales river created a few pools just a short walk from the main cascades.

These pools appear calm on the surface. But do not be fooled. They have a dangerous current. It is best to stay a few feet (meters) from these pools. Slippery rocks are your main enemy in this park.

The other river bank has a few caves. But you should not cross the river to explore them. There is a park rule that bans wading, tubing, and swimming in this river section. But this rule is only partly to blame.

The Pedernales River serves as a boundary of the state park near the falls. Private property begins on the other bank of the river. As a result, these caves are closed to the public.

2. Hackenburg Loop

You have two options after visiting the Pedernales River pools upstream. You could continue on the Pedernales Falls Trail System or switch to the Hackenburg Loop Trail.

The former option brings you to the western park boundary. The downside: you have to take the same path twice. You will cover a few sections on the way to the park boundary and, again, on the way back.

The 1.4-mi (2.3-km) Hackenburg Loop Trail brings you to the pools and lakes downstream. It does not have this problem. You could walk along the river before returning to the parking lot via a different path.

The total elevation gain of the Hackenburg Loop is 134 ft (41 m). In the end, the choice is yours. But the Hackenburg Loop is a better path if you have just a few hours in Pedernales Falls State Park.

2.1. Cypress Pool

The Hackenburg Loop brings you to another pool right away. This pool is large enough to have its own name. Cypress Pool has a powerful current during every season.

The river narrows as it flows from Cypress Pool. This section of the river attracts countless fishermen. It is hardly a surprise since it is free to fish in Texas State Parks.

This river section has a lot of rocks and boulders. It flows over them before making a bend. As a result, the Pedernales River looks more like a mountain stream than a typical Central Texas river.

2.2. Deep Lake

You will arrive at Deep Lake about halfway into the Hackenburg Loop Trail. This name is quite descriptive. It has to do with a slightly greater depth of this river section.

You could not see boulders and rocks in Deep Lake when the river level is high. But it fluctuates a lot with the time of the year and rainfall. The river is usually at its highest level in the fall and winter.

But whenever the water level is low, the Pedernales River becomes a more peaceful stream. You could see this change in the current a few miles downstream of Deep Lake.

3. Star Theater & Bird Blind

The Hackenburg Loop will bring you back to the Pedernales Falls Trail System trailhead. You would have been to the signature sights of this park. But there are plenty of other things to see in Pedernales Falls.

Get in the car and start driving towards the Visitor Center. Consider stopping at the Star Theater. You could see the stars at night without light pollution if you camp or leave the park after the sunset.

Most people visit Pedernales Falls on a day trip and depart well before the gate closes. But the Start Theater serves a different purpose during the day. It is a bird blind and a prime wildlife viewing spot.

You are certain to see vultures and hawks. Both are common birds in Pedernales Falls. You might also see cardinals, woodpeckers, and hummingbirds. Follow this bird checklist to have a better experience.

4. Swimming Area

You will pass two side roads before turning left. The Swimming Area is the second most popular area of Pedernales Falls. It is a prime swimming hole in the park. There are often crowds there in the summer.

The park permits swimming, wading, and tubing in this river section. But you do not have to engage in these activities. In fact, it is quite challenging to swim in the Pedernales River for a few reasons.

• The river is quite shallow when the water level is low.
• You could feel a strong current whenever the river level is high.
• There is an uneven river bed with a lot of slippery rocks.
• Water temperature often reaches 95 °F (35 °C) in the summer.
• Snakes could be present in the river from time to time.

It should be easy to see why swimming in the Pedernales River is not a walk in the park. But swimming becomes a life hazard during a flash flood. Flash floods are quick and deadly.

You must seek shelter at a higher ground if you notice the water level rising. Do not approach the river after a recent heavy rainfall. The beach, boulders, and trees might be all underwater.

You might not feel that visiting the Swimming Area is a good idea anymore. Still, it deserves to be on your itinerary even if you do not swim during your visit.

It is quite safe most of the time. An enormous parking lot helps with the summer crowds. Tables and grills are great for a family picnic. Last but not least, it is a gateway to the trails on the other side of the river.

4.1. Swimming Area Trail

Avid hikers could take the Swimming Area Trail, Warfle’s Trail, and Coyote Crossing Trail. The first trail of the three is a 0.4-mi (0.6-km) out-and-back path.

This trail goes downhill for its whole length from the parking lot to the river level. If you take the same trail back, you would gain 121 ft (37 m) in elevation.

There is a sand beach at this section of the Pedernales River. The beach attracts crowds in the summer. But there is more to the Swimming Area that wading in the river.

You will see meadows with wildflowers and cacti next to the beach. Both will be in bloom if you visit the park in the spring. While there are very few bluebonnets, it is still a sight to see during the Texas Spring.

4.2. Trammel Crossing

You could follow the Pedernales River from the beach to the Trammel Crossing. This saves you from a need to hike uphill and take the Coyote Crossing or Warfle’s Trails. These trails are mere connectors.

The Trammel Crossing is a 0.8-mi (1.3-km) low-water crossing to the other side of the river. Pedernales Falls State Park has a unit on the east bank. This crossing is the only way to get there.

You will get about ankle to knee deep in the water depending on the river level. The level will be lowest in the summer. Spring and fall crossings after days of rain are more challenging.

The water temperature differs with season, too. It is warm in the summer, refreshing in spring and fall, and outright cold in the winter. Late spring and early summer are the best times to hike this crossing.

4.3. Cypress Mill

You should get ready for a long hike once you are on the other side of the river. This section of the park is home to a 5.5-mi (8.9-km) loop trail. It consists of three trails.

• Cypress Mill Loop: a 3.8-mil (6.1-km) path with 518 ft (158 m) in elevation gain.
• Cypress Mill Spur: a 1.1-mi (1.7-km) slightly longer alternative to a part of the Cypress Mill Loop.
• Hill Country and River Overlook: a 0.2-mi (0.3-km) spur from the Cypress Mill Loop.

You could hike over 6 miles (10 km) in this unit easily if you include the Trammel Crossing. These trails are unpaved country roads like Doeskin Ranch in Balcones Canyonlands. There is almost no shade.

4.4. Hill Country Overlook

This somewhat boring trail rewards you with a viewpoint at the halfway point. You could see an endless sea of cedar and oaks of the Texas Hill Country.

You would have to hike the entire length of this trail on the way back. This is the main downside of the Cypress Mill Loop.

The views from the overlook do not justify such a lengthy hike. You are better off skipping the Cypress Mill area all together if you only have one day in the park.

Instead, hike uphill from the Trammel Crossing to the Twin Falls Nature Trail. This is the best course of action for a first trip to Pedernales Falls.

4.5. Twin Falls

The Twin Falls Nature Trail is an easy loop trail in the park. It covers 0.5 miles (0.8 km) with 95 ft (29 m) in elevation gain.

The trail brings you to Twin Falls. This is a small spring fed waterfall. You used to be able to swim in the pool just below Twin Falls.

The park closed the area for restoration a few years ago. You could now only admire the waterfall from a viewpoint now. This is a similar experience to Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park.

You need to take the 0.3-mi (0.5-km) Coyote Crossing connector trail back to the parking lot. There is also an option to park next to the Trammel Crossing and Twin Nature Falls trailheads.

5. Wolf Mountain

You could start wrapping up your first visit to Pedernales Falls after returning to the parking lot. All other trails in the park are quite demanding. They have a distance of 3+ miles (5+ km) each.

You need to know your limits before setting foot on these trails. With that said, you are welcome to hike these trails if time and fitness level are not an issue.

In this case, you would want to park at the Wolf Mountain trailhead near the Park Headquarters. At first, there is just one trail for you to hike.

The Wolf Mountain Trail is a 5.4-mi (8.7 km) moderate out-and-back path. The elevation gain is 357 ft (109 m). There are few shaded spots on this trail. As a result, it is a challenging hike under the Texas sun.

You will cross Regal Creek, Bee Creek, and Mescal Creek on your way to Wolf Mountain. You will loose elevation as you get close to each creek. And you will hike uphill right after the creek crossing.

You will approach a three-pronged trail fork about 2 miles (3.2 km) into the trail. This trail intersection gives you three ways to continue your hiking journey.

• You could keep going on the Wolf Mountain trail. It becomes a loop around the mountain soon after the trail fork.
• You could extend your hiking adventure to Jones Spring.
• Or you could take the Camping Trail to the primitive campground.

Unless you are camping in the park, the first two trails should be your main contenders.

6. Jones Spring

If you feel the strength to continue your hiking journey in the park, you could hike to Jones Spring. This small spring feeds Walnut Creek that flows into the Pedernales River.

This spring is the easternmost attraction in Pedernales Falls. It is right at the boundary of the state park. Jones Spring is no Gorman Spring or Honey Creek near Guadalupe River State Park.

But it might still be worth a hike. You could reach Jones Spring by hiking the 2.6-mi (4.2 km) loop trail. This moderate trail involves 148 ft (45 m) in elevation gain.

You will pass the rock house ruins on your way to the spring. The house dates back to 1885. The trail will also Tobacco Creek and Walnut Creek. The rest of the path is just like Wolf Mountain and Cypress Mill.

7. Juniper Ridge

You will merge onto the Windmill Road on the other side of Wolf Mountain if you take the entire trail. You could also push your Pedernales Falls hiking adventure to the next level.

This decision involves taking the Juniper Ridge Trail. This 9.7-mi (15.6-km) trail brings you almost to the Visitor Center. With 550 ft (168 m) in elevation gain, this is by far the most strenuous trail in the park.

You would need another hour or so to reach the Wolf Mountain trailhead. In this case, you would hike almost the entire trail network of the park.

The only remaining trails will be Madrone, Horse Trail South and North, and a couple of connecting trails. This is a great end to a long and sweaty day at Pedernales Falls State Park.

Continue with this Pedernales Falls State Park Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Pedernales Falls

Pedernales Falls State Park is in Central Texas. The park is in the Hill Country just outside of Austin, Texas. You could reach the park in under an hour from Downtown Austin.

Austin Airport is the right choice when visiting Pedernales Falls. It lags behind Dallas and Houston in terms of direct flights and number of passengers. But Austin Airport has developed into a bigger airport.

You could also visit this state park from other major Texas cities. But you need to expect a longer drive to reach the park from San Antonio, Houston, or Dallas.

It takes about 80 minutes each way to reach the park from San Antonio. Pedernales Falls is about 3.5 hours away from both Houston and Dallas. It puts Pedernales Falls just outside the reach of a day trip.

You could choose between two routes if you travel to the park from Austin. Without a doubt, Highway US-290 is a much faster way to the park.

The second route brings you to Pedernales Falls via Bee Caves Road and Fitzhugh Road. It is a far more scenic and adventurous way.

For one, this route has a low water crossing. This crossing might be impassable after a rainy day. This drive also brings you to breweries, wineries, distilleries, and olive oil companies in the Texas Hill Country.

Where to Stay near Pedernales Falls

You would need to camp if you would like a place to stay right in the park. Pedernales Falls State Park has two campgrounds.

An organized campground with showers and electricity is next to the Twin Falls Nature Trail and Trammel Crossing. A primitive campground is about 2 miles (3 km) into Wolf Mountain and Jones Spring Trails.

All other places to stay are outside of the park. There are a few places to stay in the nearby towns of Dripping Springs and Bee Cave. Courtyard by Marriott Austin Dripping Springs is a great hotel close by.

But picking a place to stay in or near Austin is a no-brainer when visiting Pedernales Falls. It provides you with the best selection of hotels and vacation rentals in the region.

You could find almost any type of lodging in Austin. The city had a ban on short term rentals for a long time. This ban has been overturned in a federal court.

Your preferences and budget are the main factors for picking a place to stay. But time of the year also plays a role. Austin hotel supply becomes sparse in the fall. Music and sport events are to blame.

The city hosts Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival on two weekends in September/October. It is also home to a Formula 1 race in October/November. It is difficult to find a place to stay during these dates.

You could look for a place to stay in San Antonio if you visit Pedernales Falls in the fall. The city is further away from the park. But staying there could give you a chance to explore other destinations.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Pedernales Falls State Park is open year round. The park has seasonal closures for hunting and controlled burning. These closures are about two weeks in the fall or winter.

The park is open for day use from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The gate closes at 10 p.m. and reopens at 8 a.m. You would need to leave the park before this time.

The park charges admission fees of $6 per adult. Children 12 years and younger visit the park for free.

Texas State Parks Annual Pass

You could also look into buying a Texas State Parks annual pass. The pass costs $70 per year. It admits the pass holder and up to 14 guests. All guests must enter the park the same way as the pass holder.

The pass also gives discounts on camping, equipment rental, and Texas State Park store purchases. It gives the most value if you travel with a large adult group or visit Texas State Parks frequently.

It is much harder to break even on the Texas State Park pass than on America the Beautiful annual pass. The smaller the group, the more you would need to visit Texas State Parks.

Day Pass

The proximity of Pedernales Falls to Austin brings crowds to the park. In response, the park introduced a reservation system.

You could buy a day pass up to 30 days in advance. Annual pass holders get the day use fees waived automatically when using the reservation system.

The day pass guarantees admission during the stated time slot. Do not drive to the park gate earlier or later than that time slot. The park rangers will likely deny admission.

You cannot get into the park if you do not have a day pass on most days. The park routinely reaches capacity even on the weekdays.

Flash Flood Warning

The Pedernales River is no different than other rivers in Central Texas. It is prone to flash floods after a powerful or lengthy rain upstream. Do not count on getting a flash flood warning in time.

Cell phone coverage could be quite poor in this part of Texas. Instead, learn what signs to look for. This knowledge might once save your life. As they say in Texas, turn around do not drown.

You need to run away from the river if you notice that the river level is rising. Mud and debris are the other things to look for. The river is usually very clear. It is time to leave if the water turns brown or grey.

Takeaways: Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales Falls State Park is a scenic park near Austin, Texas. Both the Pedernales River and Falls are picturesque and memorable. Still, there is more to this state park beyond a visit to the iconic falls.

You could tailor your visit to Pedernales Falls thanks to different areas and activities. There is plenty to do in the park from hiking, biking, and horseback riding to fishing, birding, and swimming.

Go to the Swimming Area or Twin Falls trailheads if you would enjoy swimming, wading, and tubing in the river. Make use of the charcoal grills at the picnic area if there is no burn ban in effect.

Take the Twin Falls Nature Trail to see a spring fed waterfall. Or cross the river at the Trammel Crossing to enjoy the Hill Country views from the River Overlook.

Head to the Bird Blind and Star Theater to watch birds during the day or stars at night. The park is a prime bird watching destination in Central Texas.

There are a few moderate hike and bike trails in Pedernales Falls. Wolf Mountain, Jones Spring, and Juniper Ridge do have large elevation gains. But their distance and lack of shade make them a workout.

Just pick an activity that works best with the weather and your preferences. Pedernales Falls is a must-visit destination for any nature lovers in Central Texas thanks to this variety.

Take a look at this Pedernales Falls State Park Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!