I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more captivating 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. read more

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We were told by an employee that the drought, as well as the blooming algae has had Jacob's well closed to swimming for 4 years now... read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Blooming algae.. sad conditions at Jacob's well... - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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My family and I stopped by here while driving around and was a fun experience. They had a play area for 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. read more

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Stopped by on our drive through the Devil's Backbone drive. Worth it. At the date & time we visited, there was one parking lot open - C. There appears to be plenty of additional parking for when the preserve is expecting more people. Fortunately, lot C seems to be the closest to the actual Well. There's a visitor center with a nice, clean restroom. The trail there is well maintained. Jacob's Well itself was honestly a bit underwhelming. But I don't think it has rained in the area for a bit and there were only a few other people here - so I don't think it was necessarily at its "full potential". Nonetheless, after a bit more time, Jacob's Well does seem pretty cool once you take it in more. Would visit again if in the area. read more

This was my first visit and it was so beautiful. It's winter so we were the only ones there. It was so tranquil and peaceful to sit at the hole and enjoy the natural beauty and serenity. I absolutely want to go back and swim! read more

We were in town visiting and this place was recommended to us so we had to check it out. It's free and you can't swim, wade and dive because the water is below 1 foot. The locals informed us that it's been this low for 4 years now. They have a human sun dial and labyrinth. read more

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Stopped by during my lunch break while working in Wimberley Texas. Very nice park with good hiking trails and parking lots. There's a visitor center, and several gardens and placards all along the trail to tell the history and ecology of the area. The well itself did not appear to be flowing or if it was it was flowing only slightly. The hike as you get close to the well is a little bit more treacherous, but not too bad. Once you are there, the well is dark emerald green in color. It looks kind of mysterious. lol Good spot for a short hike to explore some nature and see a natural wonder. read more

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This place was SUCH a cool find before flying back home! Great place for swimming, plenty of shade. Picnic spot. Lots of kids enjoying themselves. Being from Oregon, the water is definitely murky and I needed a shower after, which they don't have btw, but they do have normal flush toilets/bathrooms to change and use as well. 5 stars :) There is a small ranger station where you need to pay a small fee for day use as well. read more

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I really wanted to visit Jacob's well since we were tourist in this area and probably would have be coming back! I looked on their website and seemed they were closed for swimming but open for tours. We did a 10am and it was a good group of us- the tour took us from what should have been a watery river to Jacob's well using the dry creek trail! Since there was a drought we were able to walk where water should have been! The tour explained when Jacob's well was created, who owns it, etc. when we got to the well we stopped to take pics and that was it! We spent maybe an hour there which included the tour and pics! It was really cool to see! They had other trails but seemed like there wouldn't be too scenic sk we decided not to. Apparently the well is super deep and there's a video on YouTube of their scuba divers diving into the area- super cool to see! Note ~ there is also a restroom in the nature area. Looks like they're waiting for a lot of rain to fill up the well and swimming area before swimming can happen! I think it was 14 inches of rain needed (might be wrong ) read more

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We went there on a weekend and surprising it was not overcrowded. It was 104 degrees that day and the family enjoyed the cool water. If you have younger ones, there are 2 different pathways to get there one has many stairs and walking along a cliff (the route we took). There is no easy way to get in on that side kind of have to crawl or slip in. The other path is kid-friendly and has rocks leading into the water with no step drop-off. The water is very shallow and is a fun surrounding area to explore. If you are into bird watching, there is a bird station there as well as a chart of birds in the area. Overall, it was a fun experience for the family. You do have to make reservations beforehand if you swim and there is a fee. Recommended things to bring if you swim are drinking water, sunblock, water shoes (rocks will hurt your feet), a bathing suit, snacks, and a towel. read more

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We visited Jacob's well during our trip thru Texas in middle May. It was stormy, with light rain, but we still decided to walk to the actual well and we didn't regret. We knew the water levels were unsafe for swimming, so no wrong expectations there, the walk itself was rewarding enough. The walking path is well maintained, lots of beautiful nature to observe on the way to the well even during a rainy day. We had a blast. I can only imagine how fun it must be being able to jump and freshen up in that gorgeous water. read more

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underwhelming based on the online hype. several of the photos are outdated. currently not allowed to go swimming in the well. was a turtle there & was free entry. cool to checkout. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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This place is so pretty and well worth the drive if you're coming from San Antonio, like me. You can't swim right now, which honestly I wouldn't anyway, so it was perfect. More crowded than I thought it would be for a winter cold weekend so I can only imagine what it would be like during the summer. It's a lot smaller than I thought it would be in person but it was still incredible to see. There are also a lot of trails around the well so you could easily spend a good amount of time here. It made for a nice Saturday afternoon. read more

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They only take swimming reservations and allow a certain amount of people to even explore the park at a time. Swimming reservations are booked til after July. We were lucky enough to be able to walk around without a tour guide and see Jacob's Well. Super cool.. as we walked by we felt the water and is super cold. The well is 7 feet wide and 30 feet deep. Super cool and a must see. Make sure to reserve your swimming time! read more

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Great little swimming hole in Wimberly! This was our first time at a swimming hole ever and we expected it to be a little bigger. The water is crystal clear and a little chilly upon getting in (outside temp was around 90 and water temp stays around 68-70 year round, I believe). Once you get in, the water is very refreshing! No dogs are allowed but we did see a dog when we visited. Aside from the actually well/hole, the water is fairly shallow but I would still keep an eye on children if you bring them. The scenery is beautiful and there are a few walking trails around. Make your reservations early and bring a picnic! read more

Love this place! You need to know that it is not huge and doesn't offer a while lot of swimming space surrounding the well. Also remember to book way ahead, try to go on a weekday to avoid big crowds, leave the pups and alcohol at home, take turns when there and bring goggles! The well was incredible! Goes down 147 ft and the water is so clear, refreshing and clean. There is nothing else like it. You have to go at least once! There are also trails so you can hike and then jump in the well after to cool off! read more

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As a first timer, I gotta say I've been through hurricanes that have created cooler puddles of water... this place was a complete waste of time. Should've known when I pulled up and the parking lot was empty. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Woohoo so much fun - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

Jacobs Well has been on my list of places to visit for a while. If you want to swim, advance planning is required. I made my reservations for September in July. We went mid day during the week and it was nice. Not crowded at all. The water is crystal clear and cold. Very refreshing during the heat. There are rocks for jumping into the deep well. Rules are posted many times in the park and the staff monitor the area to make sure people are following the rules. Hiking trails look nice, the whole park is a very nice place to visit. read more

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Great time to spend in nature. Highly recommend using the audio tour and learning about everything.

THE BIG: Gorgeous natural springs hole that feeds water into the neighboring blue hole! Must see in Wimberly! THE BLACK AND WHITE: The bae and I wandered here on a Friday because we had reservations to swim at Blue Hole but couldn't grab one in time for Jacob's Well. TL;DR - Grab a swimming pass, seeing this natural beauty makes you want to jump in. The hike to the spring is short, however on a hot austin summer, it's going to be worth it to jump in. The hole is really deep. I think the park ranger said around 300 feet deep and no one has touched the bottom. Plenty of spots to grab photos and bask in the glory that is Jacob's Well. THE FINAL BAMBOO: Gorgeous spot and I'm definitely going to be back with a swimming reservation. read more

Looking to get REFRESH with our Texas Heat with surrounding nature , BeautyPlus of mature trees super serene get away from it all? Look no further , this little gem hidden in Wimberley, Texas is by far one the coolest place to let your fears loose. Come and check it out yourselves! Make sure to make your reservation-! read more

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I can see why this is a dangerous diving well. There were people jumping off the cliff here and my heart stopped each time they jumped lol. Maybe it's because I've always been afraid of the water. But I feel like on little slip on the rock and you're done for. Easy hike, took us about 15 minutes from parking lot to the well. You need a reservations to be able to get in the water. No fee to just go and check the well out. The water is so clear! Such an interesting thing to see, if you're in the area I definitely recommend checking it out! read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - 137 feet deep well - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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I Was slightly disappointed when I saw Jacobs Well. I guess the internet hyped it up more than my expectations. It's hard to explore the cave because so many people want to jump into the well. On the other hand, it's still a unique experience and it's more of a one time visit to check off your bucket list. The cave is very pretty and the water is about 68 degrees. I went from the 4-6pm group and it was a good time to go because it was so hot. Overall, had a good time watching people jump in and conquer their fears of jumping in. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

We decided to come here to check out the well now that it's flowing again. However, we did not count on the torrential rains. Hah. This was the only day they had the guided tour and we opted to stick it out. Our guide had us wait until the storm cell passed and then we went on our adventure. We descended a perilous staircase down to the level of the creekbed. We saw the layers of stone that had been carved away from the water as well as some fossils. We then continued to the actual well, which had crystal blue water now that the water had begun flowing again. There were fish as well. Now this bridge and ledge can be slippery so be aware. Swimming is not allowed as they want the well to flow and clear itself out. You are welcome to go on to explore the higher trail after the tour is over. As for parking, it's a gravel lot that floods easily so puddles galore. Wear waterproof shoes. I ended up having to get new socks. All in all, though, it was a fun tour. read more

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Came here because of Mr Ballen. It's a nice short trail to the well. And the well itself looked mystical. The water is so clear that you can see them fishies. The water temperature was lukewarm cool. read more

Awesome swimming hole! Water was cold (maybe not as cold as the Frio River) and clear for the most part. Go to the restroom before arriving unless you don't mind portapotties in the parking lot, which are a 10 minute walk away from the swimming area. You can bring your own food and drink, but no alcohol, pets, and smoking allowed. If you want to make the most of your time here, arrive before your reservation time and don't choose the 4pm slot because the employees will tell you get out of the water at 5:45 so you end up not getting your 2 full hours of splash time. Even if you don't plan on diving, belly flopping or cannon balling into the deep well, there are plenty of shallow spots to sit in the water or on the wall. I really liked that having a reservation (don't show up without one) limited the number of sunbathers, which was leas than 40. read more

This place is so mesmerizing and beautiful! I had passes for swimming the last day available (September 30). The water is always 68 F and is perfect after your hike. It is a short, easy 10 minute hike down to the well and there are plenty of signs. I recommend the lower entrance because it is not as narrow. Like all the other reviewers I highly, highly recommend water shoes. There are a lot of rocks in the bottom of the "pool" and a lot of them are really slippery. Definitely take proper footwear or you'll be slipping all over the place in the water. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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Made reservations a month in advance only to be told that we weren't allowed to swim due to the algae! But we were able to hike around the area & also check out this man made swimming hole. Due to the insane high temperatures you can tell that area is slowly drying out. Overall is was a nice place to visit! read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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Very cool Nature area for walks and dip in Jacobs well. You'll have to reserve for swimming. Which is a good idea they do this. It was cool to see people jump off the cliff and into the well. I hear the temperature is really cold! I just say in the shallows with my chair. Wear water slash hiking shoes it is pretty steep hiking down to the well. Some chic thought she was Wonder Woman slipped and scraped her knee. So, a first aid kit and the right shoes would be handy for the show offs and the clumsiest peoples. read more

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Once again when Government takes over, changes are bound to happen. And thanks to all of the media for putting Jacob's Well on the "Best Swimming Hole" list. Sarcasm here. Hays County is now in charge. Entrance has moved to the other side of the river and is located right off the main road, which is probably a nice relief to the neighborhood we originally used to drive through to get to the entrance. My first visit was in 2014 (that I remember. I think I've been before but not sure.) We parked fairly close and walk down a little trail. Well, that is now longer the way. It's now a hike from the new parking area... so much so that I never made it to the hole on the most recent trip. I wasn't dressed for a hike. I just wanted to take a peek at how it changed. I was in the area and just wanted to see what was new. I heard after my initial visit that changes were going to be made and boy did they happen. It looks good, just isn't the same tho. When I pulled in, there was a sign saying "Closed for Swimming" but open for hiking. Swimming Season begins May 1. I am sure when the guard gate opens, that is when they charge an entrance fee. So what is keeping the hikers from swimming right now? ... since I didn't make it that far, my guess is another gate to the river? Swim at your own risk. No lifeguard on duty. Don't bring kids. Don't bring pets. So what I am understanding... you must make reservations to swim, you get assigned a two hour time slot for that swim and it will cost you $9. Water is cold... really really cold. Try going on a day and time with less people, it will make your visit that much more special. Jacob's Well is amazingly beautiful... I'm sure the changes will help keep it that way! read more

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Just beautiful !! So happy I go to swim here on the last day for the season ( September 30th) on my trip to Texas. The water is crystal clear and the scenery is gorgeous . Definitely something to take off your Texas bucket list. Entrance to the park is free and swimming cost is $9 for a two hour time period, you must reserve online prior if you would like to swim. The walk to the well wasn't too bad at all in my opinion, I did it with sandals. I would bring water shoes next time though since there is lots of rocks in the water and it's a little slippery. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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This watering hole was on my Texas bucket list.I finally got to go last weekend. I am so glad I did. It was beautiful and refreshing. The water was a tad bit cold, but tolerable on a hot Texas day. I was too chicken to jump, but did enjoy seeing everyone else do it. Make sure you make reservations. I made mine in April. They give you a two hour window to swim. When we went, they were not at capacity even though the website said otherwise. There is a short, easy walk to the hole. The water is pretty shallow except for the area where people dive into. We didn't have any trouble with parking. Do be aware GPS leads you to the wrong location. Definitely a must experience at least once in your lifetime destination. read more

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My husband and I stopped by Jacob's Well while on a small vacation to Hill Country over Easter Weekend. The well was not open yet for swimming but you could hike back and see the natural beauty. The hiking path was a bit treacherous at places and you really had to watch your step. This pathway to the well is not good for anyone with mobility problems and I would be weary of bringing small children as one miss step they could fall off a step hill. Thankfully, the well was closed for swimming when we went. Otherwise, we would have never gotten to see it because in summers, it can book up weeks even months in advance. I don't know how many swimmers they allow in at a time because the area is actually very small and would not be able to accommodate large crowds. read more

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Swimming reservations for Jacob's well fill up months in advance. However, you don't need a reservation to visit to hike, and entrance/parking are free! Jacob's Well is well worth a visit, even if you don't have a reservation to swim. First, the swimming hole is quite cool to look at. You can watch people jump into it, which looks fun - except for those people who are jumping off the higher rock overhang, which has another lower rock jutting out underneath it, which they need to clear in their jump: yikes! There are lots of lovely, easy, short hiking trails, some of which have shade; you could spend an hour or two happily walking around the trails. There's a lovely little labyrinth, and if you're into geocaching, you can search for caches here. I visited on a summer weekday when it was super hot, but it was bearable in the shade, and not overly crowded. The view at Hamilton Pool is a lot more impressive, but this is a nice, free alternative that doesn't require reservations. read more

There are several little trails and small activities to do even when it's not swimming season

Visited today with my sister and our boys. They had fun jumping into the big hole! It was too deep for me so I stayed on the side and watched everyone! They allow 60 people for each 2-hour swim time and even though that sounds like a lot of people, it was actually really nice. Everyone took turns so there were no issues. The place has a gorgeous view. The walk to the well and back is about 10 minutes or so which isn't bad. There are tons of picnic tables around the area, too, so we took a picnic lunch to enjoy while we were there. read more

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Easy to get to, smaller area then I thought but I loved it. They had a small group of maybe 25 people when We went so it was nice during the week day. I definitely recommend going during the week and not on a weekend. read more

Jacobs Well Natural Area - This doesn't look high but once you're up there it is! - Parks Near Me - Wimberley, Texas

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Such a beautiful lil Texas treasure. It's serene, it's relaxing - and it's free! This well is about waist deep - except for the giant black hole that you see near the cliff in which the hole is 40-feet deep (as one friend told me). But according to the website: "It is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas and an artesian spring. Jacob's Well surges up thousands of gallons of water per minute and acts as headwaters to the beautiful Cypress Creek that flows through Wimberley, sustaining Blue Hole and the Blanco River, recharging the Edwards Aquifer, and finally replenishing estuaries in the Gulf of Mexico." Tips: :: Wear comfy shoes for the hike (shoes with a solid grip because those rocks are slippery) and even water shoes for the swimming hole. :: Bring sunscreen, bug spray and drinking water. :: Don't mess with Texas, so pick up your trash. :: There are onsite restrooms by the office, parking and a rec center with activities and programs for the kiddies. They do tours. :: There are a few picnic tables along the short hike. MOST IMPORTANT NOTE: :: DO NOT jump off the giant rock. You'll might catch a few people doing that - but not really to their fault. The small typed up paper sign isn't really visible. The giant boulder is slowly shifting and will soon plumet into the water ... and you don't want to be anywhere near that sucker. read more

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I have always seen this place on one list or another for "best swimming holes in TX" or "one of the prettiest places you would never guess was in TX" and felt I finally had to go and inspect it for myself. The parking area and entrance to the trail were pretty easy to find, but the hike to the "Hole" itself could be a bit treacherous as you are walking along the creek that feeds it at a bit of a height with some parts being pretty narrow and having to climb over or around rock outcroppings. It was thoroughly enjoyable, but I couldn't believe some of the little kids parents were letting wander the trail...maybe it's just me. When I first arrived at the park's namesake, my jaw literally dropped. Most photos do not do the clarity and hue gradients justice! Seriously, the variations of blue-greens to indigo to just black is just incredible! If I were to just see a picture of the hole I would think it was someplace in Belize, not a random state park just outside of Austin! This place is notorious for being "one of the most dangerous places to dive" and for the jumpers taking a leap of faith off a rock overhead. There weren't any the afternoon I came, but I can see the allure. It looks like a chasm to the underworld or some secret portal. I could not imagine scuba diving it and I would not personally jump into it, but from the beauty and mysteriousness it exudes, I can understand why so many others would. You can actually hike down to the hole and along the creek on the other side, but after having a picnic overlooking Jacobs Well and dipping my toes (the water is Barton Springs cold!), I decided to call it a day. This place should definitely be on your "Texas Must See" list, whether you are an adrenaline junkie or just able to appreciate the glories of nature in the most unexpected places! read more

I really love it over here. I sweet little hidden gem. It did cost us 27$ hours o swim and I wouldn't suggest bringing lots of little kids as the location isn't large and maybe not suited for the younger kids. It may be dangerous. The water was clean clear and perfect and everyone there was extremely friendly. We went on a Mon so it wasn't too crowded and there was plenty of parking. I would think it can get very busy though during the summer on the weekends. Very small hike down, and make sure you make reservations if you want to swim, ahead of time online. Really neat location though. read more

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