1. Blanco Shoals Park

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San Marcos, TX

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Blanco Shoals Park

3.8 (4 reviews)

Blanco Shoals Park Photos

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4 years ago

Helpful 3
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4 years ago

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10 years ago

Helpful 7
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9 years ago

I loved this park! The views were great especially by the water. I will definitely be going back soon!

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The Narrows - The narrows are narrow!

The Narrows

4.8(6 reviews)
34.2 mi

We came here in the early hours of the morning. Hiked a ways up the creek bed and saw tons of…read morewildlife. It was a nice hike... We heard it before we saw it. A rushing water sound made by the many waterfalls into the narrow canyon. I've traveled so many places, but I was awestruck at the beauty of this place. It looks exotic and out of place in Texas. Still, it was wonderful. It should be open to the public and protected at the same time. To get to it, walk the length of the Blanco River from either the north or the south. Really truly do not pass over private property. They will catch you and at the very least you will get a really expensive fine and Class C misdemeanor. They don't mess around. No one owns the river as the Blanco is known as a perennial River and these types of rivers cannot be privately owned. So, take the river from public property and walk up or down it to reach the Narrows. Don't litter as the place is pristine and really don't jump from the cliffs. We tried to be as respectable to the place as possible and left it how we found it. Please do the same when you find it.

This is the most serene , intimate, natural slice of Texas I have ever seen. The natural swimming…read moreholes are what I envisioned the fountain of youth to be like when I heard that term. I have been twice and want to go a few more times in this life while I still can. The water is perfect and clean, the canyon walls are pristine, and the area is quiet. I went to find it on the advice of a beautiful woman and it was worth the cost of doing so. It is extremely hard to get to if you don't have access from the surrounding property owners, and a sheriff will find you on your way out. I actually favor this situation by it has preserved the narrows, even though 99.9999% of people will never see or even know this spot. Life is not fair. I got an expensive misdemeanor after the second time. But I also took the beautiful woman with me the second time, and money can't buy happiness.

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The Narrows - The Narrows look amazing from below and above!!

The Narrows look amazing from below and above!!

The Narrows - Narrows

Narrows

The Narrows

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Old Baldy - Start point

Old Baldy

4.7(31 reviews)
14.9 mi

Old Baldy Park is probably best known for The Stair Climb. It's 218 stone steps that literally feel…read morelike you're going straight up to the sky. That's probably why it's dubbed "The Stairway to Heaven". Wow, climbing those steps is something else! The views from Old Baldy are outstanding. The very best views of the Hill Country landscape. I'd heard stories about people leaving painted rocks behind and it's always fun to find them when hiking through Old Baldy. This is one of my favorite spots to stop at whenever we're in Wimberley. Bonus is that dogs are allowed which means Sir Benjamin is able to throw on his shades and bucket hat to hike with his humans.

If you're looking for a quick outdoor escape in the Texas Hill Country, Old Baldy Park is one of…read morethe best hidden gems in Wimberley. This small park, just a couple miles from downtown Wimberley, is all about the climb and the view. It's only about a 0.2-mile hike, but don't let the short distance fool you--the 218 rock steps will definitely get your legs working. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the Texas Hill Country, making it absolutely worth the effort. The vibe here is peaceful and scenic--perfect for a quick nature break, catching a sunrise or sunset, or just enjoying some quiet time with great views. It's also very family-friendly and pet-friendly, though the stairs can be a bit challenging for some. Old Baldy isn't a long hike or a full-day park--it's more of a quick but rewarding climb. Simple, scenic, and one of those spots that feels like a local secret. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in Wimberley, especially for the views at the top.

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Old Baldy
Old Baldy
Old Baldy - Beautiful overlook on top

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Beautiful overlook on top

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Front entrance parking area

Jacobs Well Natural Area

4.2(163 reviews)
16.5 mi

I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more…read morecaptivating and visually appealing than my experience of it. But despite that notion, Jacob's Well overall is very underwhelming. The hike is probably the shortest and least challenging I've ever experienced. There are several mini trails that are great for kids to explore, along with a large tire swing at the front entrance. Jacob's Well is definitely very kid- and senior-friendly as it's not very strenuous at all to hike or walk around. It's a nice that it's there for everyone to experience nature but again, very underwhelming. We spent about half an hour there which was enough time to experience the entire area. Definitely worth a visit if it's your first time in Wimberley.

My family and I stopped by here while driving around and was a fun experience. They had a play area…read morefor kids, a garden, some swings, picnic tables and few trails you can walk. They are known for the well so we naturally went there first. I was expecting a bit more honestly but it was cool to see regardless. The park itself is free but if you want to swim, you have to reserve it and only can during season (starts in may). I can't speak much on the swim itself but the hike there wasn't really bad honestly. There are a few paths that require you to be careful (climbing rocks and bit of steep hill) so hang on to the rails, ropes and don't step close to the edges. The paths themselves are actually really small not very far hikes. You can complete most of the trails in a day if you like but watch your step on some of the paths. The ones I liked were more rocky paths and a bit challenging but nothing too painful. There wasn't many people around either on the paths so was able to just enjoy and do some bird sightings. We even enjoyed a picnic there and nothing around us to bother us. Overall this was a fun experience to visit if you happen to be around. I think this place is fun if you have kids and need to burn some of their energy.

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Jacobs Well Natural Area
Jacobs Well Natural Area
Jacobs Well Natural Area - Flowers all around

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Flowers all around

Canyon Park

Canyon Park

2.9(23 reviews)
19.5 mi

Now that it's almost Summer 2022 - yay! - and there are lots of changes this season in WORD-leased…read moreparks, it's time for an update to my review from last year. Please check out that comprehensive narrative if you want to learn about what "WORD" is and why the rules and fees here are different from other parts of Canyon Lake, which is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before you head to this park on the North side of Canyon Lake near Brookshire Brothers off 306, be sure to check social media (the "book of face") to see what WORD's latest updates are. That is where they will post any notices about the park being full, maintenance closures, or changes in policy. Make sure you sort Posts by Most Recent. https://www.facebook.com/Canyon-Park-on-Canyon-Lake-112315650954797 The biggest change for 2022 (April 1 - September 30 operating days) is a pricing increase for anyone without a vehicle registered in Comal County. If you are visiting from out of town, you will now pay $20 per carload. Locals driving their Comal County-registered vehicle (per the windshield sticker as proof) get in for $5 per carload. Gates will close when the park reaches capacity and no one is admitted after the gatehouse closes for the day at 6p. Gatehouse Hours (for Swim Beaches): Mon - Fri: 10a - 6p Sat, Sun, & Holidays: 8a - 6p Swim Beach Hours: Mon - Fri: 10a - 7:30p Sat, Sun, & Holidays: 8a - 7:30p Another major change this year is that the Madrone Trail parking area (for the free hiking, mountain biking, and trail running trail system) is closed every weekend from Memorial Day to Labor Day. This means you cannot access this trail system without paying to enter the park on the weekends, and you will be subject to park closure at capacity. For 2022, the boat ramp and day-use picnic sites at the tip of the peninsula (Park Areas 2, 3, & 4) have the same locals $5/non-locals $20 pricing structure, but you can get in as early as 8a (and should because these fill up fast each day in the summer). You must exit these areas by 7:30p, so plan accordingly to get your boat out in time at the end of the day or be banned. The WORD gatehouse staff do not mess around. More details available at https://wordcc.com/canyon-park/

The older male attendant with the beard refused to refund my $20 after our GPS took us to the wrong…read moreentrance and we had to make a U-turn before even getting to enjoy the lake. He told me, "No refunds, I'm sorry," and I replied, "You're not sorry." It was incredibly frustrating to lose $20 without seeing any part of the lake. I wish the staff had more discretion and common sense to handle situations like this, especially when the issue was caused by incorrect directions rather than us using the facilities. Couldn't even hold eye contact with me.

Photos
Canyon Park - Lake is low but usable

Lake is low but usable

Canyon Park
Canyon Park - Wild life

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Wild life

River Place Nature Trail

River Place Nature Trail

4.6(253 reviews)
31.4 mi

The River Place Nature Trail is the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery and an opportunity…read morefor a great workout. The trail is known for its steep elevation changes, lush greenery, and tranquil water features. This trail is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and fitness evangelists. The trail winds through dense vegetation with a mix of wooden steps, rocky pathways, and shaded stretches. One of the biggest attractions is the seemingly endless staircase sections. Looking up from the bottom, those steps appear to climb straight into the heavens. I was mentally preparing myself for the challenge when I spotted a sign that changed everything: "Beware of Snakes. Stay on the designated trail." Excuse me...what?! Will a snake know whether or not I'm on the designated trail? I'm thinking no. Those slithering little noodles of doom that can inject venom and potentially ruin your entire day or your life? At that moment, my inner adventurer immediately became my inner safety officer. Mission status: Abort. Abort. Abort. Instead, we claimed chairs overlooking the pond and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings from a much safer distance. It was incredibly relaxing...except for the part where I spent a good portion of the time imagining snakes conducting secret meetings somewhere in the bushes. All humor aside, River Place Nature Trail is absolutely beautiful. The scenery is stunning, the atmosphere is serene, and for those brave souls who aren't distracted by reptilian concerns, it's an excellent hiking destination. As for me, I'll admire it from the comfort of a chair with a clear view of the ground. There is a fee to walk the trials. If you do not pay the fee, please feel free to donate to the trail fund. This is a very well-maintained trail.

Nice canyon trail in the middle of the neighborhood. Glad that small piece of nature is preserve…read moreinstead turning into someone's backyard. 2.5 mile one way. It said it has a lot of steps (2736) but they are not continuous so don't worry. There isn't a overlook but at the hill top u can see over the valley a little bit. I started around lunch time . 11am. 89F. Maybe because I was little sick but I drank 24fl oz of water at 2mi mark. So bring more water if u plan on going back. Which will be a 6mi total hike. I see people being kids so it is not very difficult. Scenery: currently Texas is under a drought so all the creek is bone dry as u can see in my pictures. There many different of plants u can see along the path. Flowers and berries too. $10 during peak hours which I assume is weekend. And for parking, you can just park on the street

Photos
River Place Nature Trail
River Place Nature Trail
River Place Nature Trail - Trail

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Trail

Blanco Shoals Park - parks - Updated October 2026

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