My favorite thing about Texas is the outdoor life. People in Texas are always outside… even in the crazy heat. One of the best parts of the outdoor life in Texas is the abundance of swimming holes. These watering holes aren’t your average creeks with warm water and scary snakes either. Texas has some of the most magical places to swim in the world. These spots have the bluest and the coolest waters you’ll ever see and feel. One of my favorites just happens to be a short drive from Austin, Jacob’s Well.
Jacob’s Well is a natural area located in Wimberley, Texas. It sits on 81 acres and was discovered in 1850 when settlers discovered a fountain (it was more of a geyser with very cold water and less of a hole back then) of beautiful clear water. Over the years Jacob’s Well has been explored by divers and scientists who want to know more about this magnificent body of water. The well is full of caverns both large and small. Some caves have yet to be explored because of their small size.
Today Jacob’s Well is visited by people from all over the world. The water stays constant at a cool 68 degrees Fahrenheit which is perfect for those hot summer days in Texas. It’s a beautiful, scenic, and easy hike down to the well (except for a few stairs) complete with wildflowers and bird watching. It also happens to be in one of the sweetest little towns in Texas. Below are my Tips, Tricks and Don’ts that I did to help you plan your trip to this amazing piece of Texas.
Tips, Tricks and Don’ts that I did
- Make a reservation. We got lucky this year because I forgot I made reservations and ended up making another, so we went twice. The Park itself doesn’t require reservations, but in order to swim you must have a reservation. Reservations open in March, and they go fast so don’t wait!
- Jump! Part of the Jacob’s Well experience is jumping from the rocks that overlook the well. The first two times we visited we didn’t jump and I kind of feel like we missed out. The third time we went I knew I wanted to try it and I’m so glad we did. For one thing the cold temperature of the water is less of a shock jumping in rather than slowly getting used to it. The second thing… it’s fun! I felt like a kid again. Don’t get crazy or dangerous and try any wild dives but jumping from the lower rocks is a blast. I didn’t know how much fun it could be until I decided to jump…. and jump again! Keep scrolling to see both of my jumps in action!
- Do explore the entire park. The first couple of times we visited the park we went straight to the well and only the well. Last weekend we decided to get there early and run the trails. It was awesome. We got to see part of the park that I had no idea even existed. The trails are well maintained and easy to run (or walk). It’s a great activity to do before cooling off in the cool waters of Jacob’s Well.
- Don’t forget your water shoes! Jacob’s Well is a natural water source and has a lot of slippery algae. We watched several people accidentally take the plunge into the frigid waters because they slipped. The rocks in the water can also be painful without the added protection of water shoes.
- Don’t forget to bring a change of clothes. The visitor’s center is super nice and has changing areas so you can change out of your wet clothes before exploring the town.
- Speaking of the town… Don’t skip out on exploring the town of Wimberley. It’s a charming little town, has a lot of shopping, and has some of the best restaurants and one of the best bakeries we’ve ever been to. I’ve included links to a few of our favorites here. https://www.sugarshackbakerytx.com http://www.wimberleycafe.com
- For more information about the history of Jacob’s Well here’s a link to their website. https://hayscountytx.com/departments/hays-county-parks-recreation/jacobs-well-natural-area/
- If you liked this post, check out my blog about visiting Stubbs in Austin, TX here https://eats8.food.blog/an-intimate-concert-with-2000-strangers/
- As always, don’t forget to Enjoy!
Mae Bakes 