Exploring Hamilton Pool
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a natural pool that was created when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. The pool is located about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin, Texas off Highway 71. Since the 1960s, Hamilton Pool has been a popular summer swimming spot for Austin visitors and residents. Hamilton Pool Preserve consists of 232 acres (0.94 km2) of protected natural habitat featuring a jade green pool into which a 50-foot (15 m) waterfall flows with water temperatures reaching 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The pool is surrounded by large slabs of limestone that rest by the water's edge; large stalactites grow from the ceiling high above. The ceiling and surrounding cliffs of the grotto are home to moss, maidenhair fern and cliff swallows. The Ashe juniper (cedar) uplands of the preserve are home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.[2]
The natural pool and creek are not chemically treated, so water quality is monitored regularly and swimming is occasionally restricted. Hamilton Pool is part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve and is a protected environment.
In 1980, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cited Hamilton Pool as the “most significant natural area in rural Travis County,” which was later acquired by Travis County in 1985 in an effort to restore the land through an aggressive land management plan. Historically, the property had been over-trafficked with no regulation, so there has been immense effort since to restore the pool to its most natural state—which is both beautiful and an important part of the local ecology. The preserve includes the pool itself, which is a glistening grotto with a 50-foot waterfall pouring into the center and lush ferns growing along the cliffsides that surround the pool. Hamilton Pool is a spectacle, indeed, and it’s bright blue waters and steep cliffs are accessible with only a minimal hike.
WHAT MAKES IT GREAT
The preserve is a magical oasis backdropped by lush fern canyons. With blue waters and green flora, the setting couldn’t be more idyllic and almost unexpected in the Central Texas landscape. While swimming is sometimes restricted, when it is allowed, Hamilton Pool Preserve is a perfect place to throw down a towel and take a dip in the peak of Texas summer. The pool is a refreshing escape, shaded by giant trees, overgrowth and the cliff walls, which shelter you from the scorching sun and give relief from hot summer temperatures.
Beyond that, the longer hike to the Pedernales River gives visitors the opportunity to visit a less popular section of the river which courses through the area and attracts thousands of visitors through neighboring areas. At 1.8 miles out-and-back, the hike is an easy-to-moderate hike.
WHO IS GOING TO LOVE IT
While the nature of the trail is limiting to visitors with mobility issues, it’s an otherwise easy trek through beautiful landscape and a real prize at the end. The ease of the trail makes the preserve a favorite among families, those who are looking for an easy hike, and those who just want to kick back in the shelter of the cliffside shade spend a leisurely summer day by an old school swimming hole. The preserve is also a favorite among those who love photography, as Hamilton Pool is a commonly photographed setting in Central Texas. There is no bad angle, no matter which time of year you visit.
The article and the whole story you can find here:
Guide to Exploring Hamilton Pool Year-Round | Austin, TX Insider Blog (austintexas.org)
Thanks to: Visit Austin