A 126 acre regional park and idyllic, crystal clear swimming hole lined with cypress trees, located in Wimberley, Texas.
Location: Wimberley, Texas
Swim Season:
- May 1st-September 4th (9 AM-6 PM)
- Weekends in September (9 AM-6 PM)
Reservations to swim at the Blue Hole can be made here
Date Visited: Monday, August 30, 2021
Overview
Located in the Texas Hill Country, in the city of Wimberley, Texas, is by and large, one of the most beautiful swimming holes one could ever lay eyes on. The natural, spring-fed swimming hole is stunning, with beautiful cypress trees lining the shores.
With waters that are often crystal clear, rope swings, and a grassy lawn area and picnic areas, this is the perfect spot for a summer day. Blue Hole Regional Park has a lot more to offer, as well. With nearly 5 miles worth of trails, a playground, basketball court, volleyball court, community pavilion, and amphitheater, visitors will have a whole array of things to keep them busy here.
Entrance into the park is free for all visitors and recreational activities. However, swimming in the blue hole does require advanced reservations (with a time slot) and a fee. In addition, swimming is only allowed from May 1st-September 4th and on weekends in August, unless the park deems the water unswimable. There are two time slots that visitors can choose from to reserve. 9 AM-1 PM and 2 PM-6 PM. For those preferring to stay all day, another option is to book and pay for both time slots. Reservations for day passes open up on March 1st and do often fill up quickly (see pricing at the bottom of the page).
In 2005, after an immense fundraising effort by the city of Wimberley to save the Blue Hole from threats of development, the city purchased the land as a community park. Today, the city has grown the park into a 126 acre park and swimming oasis, that residents, visitors, and future generations will all be able to enjoy and cherish.
Scout’s Story
My wife, my daughter Scout, and I had now been on the road for over two months. Collectively, we all spent the prior night camping in the unbearable Texas summer heat at Krause Springs. The only upside to that, was that as soon as the sun came up we were ready to get out of the tent and get going. Having booked our reservations a few days prior, we were giddy with excitement to get to the Blue Hole. Thunderstorms had been in the forecast for days and we were lucky that they didn’t roll through on this day. Although I had read stories of how crowded the Blue Hole can get, I booked the first swimming slot of the day and hoped for the best, but assumed it would be packed and raucous.
Knowing that the Blue Hole opened at 9, we arrived early, waiting outside. Once the gates opened and we showed our reservation, we made our way to the grassy picnic area. Directly in front of the lawn area was one of the prettiest swimming holes I had ever laid eyes on.
I was absolutely blown away. I wasted no time and left my wife to set up a spot on the grass as I jumped into the water. After a few minutes, my wife joined me, along with our 3.5 month old daughter, Scout.
Swimming in the Blue Hole
We started off at the far left end of the Blue Hole, being that is where the shallowest section was.
Our daughter, Scout, laughed and giggled as we splashed her in the water.
There was one thing that I couldn’t quite grasp. Why wasn’t this place packed? Surprisingly, it was just the opposite. As time went by, a few families showed up here and there and the swimming hole eventually had a reasonable amount of us in it. However, it was not overwhelming and the entire atmosphere was super peaceful.
As Scout was only 3.5 months old, we didn’t want to keep her in the somewhat chilly water for too long. My wife exited the Blue Hole with her, but encouraged me to keep swimming.
After nearly 2 hours, I finally, reluctantly, decided we should go. Swimming here was such an amazing experience and by far exceeded any expectations I’d had. The waters were stunningly clear and the cypress trees were so magnificent and something that I just wasn’t used to seeing. Overall, this was an experience our family will never forget and I am hopeful that when my daughter is a bit older, we can all revisit and once again, take in the tranquility that enticed us on this day.
Getting to Blue Hole Regional Park
333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676
Notes, Questions and Thoughts
Blue Hole Regional Park does require advanced reservations, that come with a time slot and fee.
- Anyone over the age of 60 = $6
- Non Resident ages 13-59 = $12
- Resident and Military ages 13-59 = $6
- Resident and Non Resident ages 4-12 = $6
- Kids 3 and under may enter free of charge and without a reservation.
The threat of high bacteria levels, other pollutants, and poor visibility conditions can make for unsafe swimming. The swimming area may be closed if these threats are present. The park monitors these conditions daily and updates information on their website and social media pages.
- Are dogs allowed at Blue Hole Regional Park?
- Dogs are not allowed in the Blue Hole swimming area. However, they are allowed in the rest of Blue Hole Regional Park.
- For those interested in Blue Hole Regional Parks cancellation, refund, closure and rule policies, you may find those here
