Hamilton Pool Log Entries

Return to Hamilton Pool

A Texas Oasis
User: Lone_Star - 5/11/2013 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.20 Miles Duration: 45 minutes

As a Houstonian visiting the Austin area, I was thoroughly impressed by Hamilton Pool. It is an amazing geological formation surrounded by beautiful trees and birds. It is like a little oasis in Texas.

I arrived with a group after hiking Pace Bend Park earlier in the day, so I was pleased to find out that the steep $10/vehicle entrance fee we paid at Pace Bend admitted us to the Hamilton Pool for free since they are both part of the Travis County Park system.

This isn't a hike, per se, as much as a place to visit and take photos, although there is a nice little nature walk down to the river.

As impressive as photos of this place are, it does not compare to "being there" and experiencing the environment. The water in the pool was a murky brown when we went, but I suppose this is due to the fact that we arrived after a couple of days of rain and the bacteria count was high.

One more thing -- pets are not allowed.

Easy hike , beautiful foilage and trees
User: Jack3409 - 4/23/2012 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.50 Miles Duration: N/A

Enjoyed the mile hike to and from the river and thought the pool was very pretty too. Wish I had brought a swim suit I could have jumped in

User: JEMS1212 - 1/22/2012 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Pack a lunch and off you go to a place time has forgotten. It is like walking into a land of magic. On our visit there a movie was being filmed. The people were in mid-evil costumes and there were goblins in the woods. After your walk around the pool, which is an emerald green you head down to the Pedernales River where you can have your lunch and watch the pipers fly by.

One of my favorite places
User: JSTEMEN - 9/9/2009 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.20 Miles Duration: N/A

As the 23rd palsm says, he make me to lay down in the green grass and leadeth me to the still waters and restoreth my soul...this is what hamilton's pool does for me...I've gone a few times and never have been disappointed...taking a group of teenagers who gripped and complained at first that they had to "walk" go figure, but at the end of the day, they were all thanking me for bringing them to such a cool place...going again this next week, veterans day, by myself for peace and solitude...can't wait...been a few years since I've been there and I'm ready:) Happy Hiking

Worth the drive, but a little crowded
User: Whit - 11/27/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

It's been about nine years since I've been out here - the trail seems worse for the wear. Late afternoon walk, so not much bird activity. Drought means the falls are very thin, but sitll worthwhile

Get there early!!!
User: ANDYROOSKY - 9/8/2008 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: 20 minutes

This place is so much busier than it was 10-15 years ago, lucikly it hasn't changed overall. They have added bathrooms about 5 minutes away from the pool, which was comforting. The falls weren't falling a lot because of lack of rain but the water is cool. Bu sure to get there before 10 to pull right in or you might have to wait till someone leaves to get a parking spot...I rated this hike so high in difficulty because I was carrying my 3 year old girl, which is suggested because of the terrian is tight and bumpy. Don't bring heavy coolers or strollers....

Kids!
User: perk1963 - 6/4/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour

Yikes. By noon, this beautiful place was so packed there was very little walking space on the 'beach' to be had. I know they limit cars, but darn, how many people were in these cars?? It really is beautiful, though. Loved floating on our tubes just under the spray of the falls.

Visiting an old friend
User: inaustin - 3/12/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
Visiting HP was like visiting an old friend. I had been there many times but it was usually to the pool and without regard to the "furnishings" and "attractions". This time I went with a wider perspective in mind and kept an eye on plants and creatures who make this their home. I re-visited again two months later on a guided hike provided by Travis County and they offered an even wider sense of its history and native species. It was amazing to see a nesting vireo within feet of the trail and to see a canyon mock orange, the colorful Mexican buckeye, and the red bay colony. Unfortunately the entrance fee is a little high, so share the cost of gas and fee with friends!

less crowded off season
User: perk1963 - 2/4/2007 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: 1 minute

Great Swim
User: big tex - 5/30/2006 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty: N/A Solitude: N/A
Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Great swimming hole everyone must try it once!!

Pixies and Unicorns
User: pixistixs - 6/20/2005 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
A 30 ft. waterfall into a half open cave. It's as if pixies and unicorns are going to come flying out of the forest. This is the most beautiful thing I have seen in Texas so far. A steep hike down to the pool and then a leisurely hike back to the river. Get there early as the park has a maximum on visitors and closes around 6pm. Nice day trip from Perdenales or Krausy Springs camping areas.

beautiful
User: laceyg - 6/6/2005 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: N/A

User: scooterbeanie - 1/2/2005 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.00 Mile Duration: N/A

Non-swimming days are the best
User: Austin Explorer - 11/6/2004 [View Log Page]
Rating:

Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.75 Miles Duration: N/A
Due to higher bacteria levels the pool was closed to swimming. That meant fewer people in the park and less noise. The trail to the pool is very easy with a fantastic view awaiting. The trail to the river should not be passed up though. A couple of spots along the trail allow access to the creek's edge amongst the large Cypress trees.

Took Ehron
User: maxrebo - 6/7/2003 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Went once again with girlfriend

Waterfall, Creek, and Pedernales River
User: figment - 4/17/2003 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 2.00 Miles Duration: N/A
There is a short trail down the side of the canyon into the Hamilton Pool, with a large waterfall. Very nice. The trail follows the creek down to the confluence with the Pedernales River, and this section is less crowded. Going swimming in the river is more fun than the pool.

nice.
User: nocman - 5/15/2002 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: 1.50 Miles Duration: N/A
Hamilton pool is a nice place to visit, but get's crowded very fast. At the end of the hike you come to what looks like a sinkhole with a 45ft water fall. Parking is limited.

Nice, pleasant
User: maxrebo - 4/30/2002 [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty:

Solitude:

Distance: -1.00 Mile Duration: N/A
Pleasant walk to Pernadles River, lots of plant life and insects