Totally worth the drive and walking up the stairs. The only thing is to be aware of the parking…read moresituation..make sure to get their early ..parking spaces are limited and the street is narrow.

Amazing view. Very peaceful. Get there early and beat the traffic and get ready for lots of stairs…read moreto climb. Totally worth it.

Blanco State Park (@blancostatepark) is a hidden gem in the Texas Hill Country, offering a peaceful…read moreriverside escape that feels both scenic and relaxing. Nestled along about a mile stretch of the Blanco River, this relatively small park delivers big on charm, making it perfect for a day trip or a quiet weekend outdoors. One of the standout features of the park is the low-water dam and walkway, which creates calm pools on one side and gentle flowing water on the other. Walking across it gives you beautiful panoramic views of the river, just like in your photos--calm water, limestone edges, and plenty of space to take it all in. The setting feels very serene, especially with the surrounding trees and open sky. The river itself is the heart of the park. Whether you're swimming, fishing, or just sitting by the water, it's a relaxing experience. The water is usually calm and shallow in areas, making it great for families, while deeper sections are perfect for swimming or paddling. Wildlife is another highlight--you'll often spot birds, turtles, and even ducks or geese hanging around the shoreline, adding to the natural vibe. The mix of cypress trees, limestone banks, and clear water really gives it that classic Hill Country feel. Beyond the water, the park has easy walking trails and shaded paths, ideal for a casual hike. These aren't intense hikes, but they're perfect for a laid-back stroll through nature. Picnic areas and campsites are scattered throughout, making it easy to spend a full day here or even stay overnight. Blanco State Park is not the biggest or most dramatic park in Texas, but that's exactly its appeal. It's calm, scenic, and easy to enjoy--perfect for relaxing by the water, taking photos, or just disconnecting for a while. If you're looking for a peaceful outdoor spot with beautiful river views and a laid-back atmosphere, this park definitely delivers.

Lovely State Park in a cute little town? Yes please! We stayed here 2 nights and had a great time…read more Too cool to get in the river, but we hiked along both sides of it and walked into town to visit the cute shops and enjoy the small town atmosphere. The Main Street is BUSY, but it was an easy walk. The park itself is clean, right on the river, and has fairly level nicely treed camping spots. Plus....You can't beat the price for full hook-ups.

Located just west of Austin near Johnson City, Pedernales Falls State Park is one of the most…read morescenic natural escapes in Central Texas. Spanning over 5,200 acres along the Pedernales River, the park is known for its dramatic limestone formations where the river cascades over wide, layered rock slabs--creating the iconic "falls" that give the park its name. Pedernales Falls has a rugged, peaceful Hill Country vibe. It's the kind of place where you can spend hours exploring rocky riverbeds, hiking through shaded trails, or just relaxing by the water. The mix of open river views, rolling hills, and quiet wooded areas makes it feel remote. Ideal for a day trip from Houston, definitely worth checking out.

PFSP is a lovely state park that is very accessible from Austin, only about an hour away. The…read morefastest route that we took was very scenic but of note the back roads to get there were winding, and there were some big dips and even a spot with some nasty potholes that knocked the hanging carplay screen off from the perch on my dash. The back road is also VERY dark, I meant to go another way when leaving after a star party that night (around 8:15pm) but I went back the way I'd come by accident and the road was DARK. I was able to navigate it ok with my high beams on but I definitely saw several deer and there are no streetlights so you have GOT to be careful. We actually even saw a car flipped over in a ditch around a sharp curve on the way - there were several police officers there assisting but drives the point home that winding and dark road can be pretty dangerous. It's one lane each way too. All this said - the park is cute! The main part folks go to see is the falls area, which is easy to get to from the visitor center. There are miles and miles of trails; the trailheads are a little difficult to find for some of them but there's a decent bit of parking around the areas. They do quite a few events too, as mentioned I came in the evening for a star party (most are 6p-9 or 10p ish) and they're free but you do have to sign up in advance. It's nice and dark out that way and check the weather bc it does get cold too - in Feb it was like 40-50F that night so you needed layers. Entrance fee is $6, seems universal for all Texas state parks. You can get a good flavor for the park in just a couple hours, or you could stay all day since there are many long trails. It's worth a visit if you're nearby!

A great trail and right when you come in. My 11yr old daughter and I loved the creeks. The path is…read morepaved and perfect for all ages and the doggos.

Wolf Mountain is my new favorite hiking trail and my little secret path into the wild undiscovered…read more The only reason I am writing this review is because I am nice and like to share:) This beautiful trail is an easy hike through the Hill Country above the Pedernales River. Most of the trail is gravel used to access the primitive camping site. There is plenty of water right now thanks to all the recent rain. In addition to being a beautiful outdoor adventure you will discover some historical places along the trail including an old cemetery at the top of the hill and some ruins of an old ranch house. Jones Spring is a beautiful spot to stop for a snack or lunch break and swim - see pics! There is several other beautiful water spots along the trail to cool off as well. Wolf Mountain is a short 45 minute drive from Austin but a world away from city life!!! This trail is most easily found if you follow the Primitive Camping directions. Upon entering Pedernales State Park continue driving approx 3 miles into the parking area for Primitive Camping you will see the trail head at the end of the parking lot. Happy Trails.....

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.

Old Baldy Stairs Park, nestled in a residential area surrounded by houses is a must-visit…read moredestination whenever you're in Wimberley. The hike is short but very steep. And although the steps are very narrow, handrails on both sides make it feel safe. Upon reaching the top, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Wimberley Valley. Great way to get your steps in while breathing in nature. Note: There's very limited parking space.

There are a lot of trails here. It's a great hike if you're in the area and want to hike. There's…read morenot much of a view but it's still nice. We saw a lot of mountain bikers when we were hiking. Parking was very easy.

Canyonlands or Mount Lakeway Trails is a nice location near Lake Travis Schools in Lakeway. There…read moreare several different trailheads. I'd say this is moderate as some areas are very rocky, you get your heart rate going but can still keep a conversation. Some areas are heavily wooded and hilly, and other areas are flat with gravel. Little areas of water and tiny waterfalls are pleasant. There is construction going on and you can head that in the distance, but you can still hear the the bears and wildlife area. I definitely want to come back and check out the other trailheads here. Wear some good shoes as it can be slick.

Decided to take my daughter and grandson to a couple of caves. This was our second location and by…read morefar our favorite. A Cave Without a Name is stunning! Our guide, Julia, was a pure joy. So friendly and knowledgeable as well as just fun! I will be bank and be bringing others.

Smaller perhaps but cave includes dramatic formations. Smaller group meant guide could show us bat…read moreand salamander that make their home below ground. Gift shop has t-shirts, stickers, gems, rocks and open your own geodes.

Stopped by during my lunch break while working in Wimberley Texas. Very nice park with good hiking…read moretrails 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.

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.

We arrived early this morning for our first hike of the year. The rangers were very efficient; our…read morereservation was checked and our permit was brought out. We drove out to the water and decided to walk those trails. The trails are all very easy to navigate. The more challenging trails may not have actually been trails at all, but got us down to the river bank for some lovely photos. The grounds and trails are very clean and well maintained. The camp sites look really nice and the bathrooms (I'm told) were Buccees level clean. There's a Discovery center that seemed to be interesting for the littles. I really enjoyed the solitude and the zen. I suspect it probably gets pretty packed though.

Lovely park! Make sure to prepay entrance fee online and discount was offered with military park…read morepass. We parked near the end of the road where you'll find a parking lot with bathrooms and changing facilities. We met our hiking group and trekked off walking along the Guadalupe River. Make sure to bring water shoes with grip cuz you'll cross the river to get to more hiking trails. The water was cool and the flow perfect...depending on the time of the year, it can get quite powerful. The weather was gorgeous - fall vibes of overcast and cooler temps. We hiked a mix of many shaded forest areas and open fields . Captured many pics of the fall changes - leaves turning shades of yellow and orange. And I gotta kick seeing live armadillos scurrying amongst the long grasses. So cute!!! With the great weather and scenery, we hiked a steady pace and clocked in approximately 8.5 miles ! Loved hiking through the river : ) Clean bathrooms and changing rooms were a plus!

I have been going here for years, hiking and mountain biking. I've done a few races also. It is…read moremarked fairly well, but obviously whether can change making trails. Look different and signs get weathered. Always take a map, as they are always passing out at the Ranger station

We always make a stop here to hike, swim, and picnic with our kids. The rangers are awesome and…read morehappy to answer all of our kids questions. The trails are clearly marked and scrambling over the rocks to explore the falls and wading in the river are always a blast. This year we went after a heavy rain and it was awesome to see the river roaring over the falls.