Take the short drive through the Texas Hill Country to Wimberley, Texas, where you can find Jacob’s Well. This natural spring with crystal clear water and rocks to jump off is a great swimming destination.
UPDATE: **Swimming at Jacob’s Well Temporarily Suspended as of June 29, 2022** The threat of high bacteria levels, other pollutants, and poor visibility conditions are unsafe for swimming. When swimming will be allowed again depends on factors beyond the county’s control. They will monitor conditions daily and update the information on the official website and social media pages. While refunds or rainchecks are not usually offered, given these unusual circumstances, they will be working with individuals who have reservations affected by the closure. Jacob’s Well Natural Area remains open for hiking, geocaching, etc.
Location and hours:
Jacob’s Well is tucked back into Jacob’s Well Natural Area, a park managed by Hays County Parks Department, at 1699 Mount Sharp Road, in Wimberley, Texas. The park is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with no entry after 5:30 p.m. To visit the swimming well on site, reservations must be made in advance and groups of 10 or more are discouraged. Reservation times are in two hour increments.
Admission Cost:
Entrance to Jacob’s Well Natural Area is completely FREE! If you wish to swim in the natural spring well, admission ranges from $5 to $9, and children under the age of four admission is FREE.
History:
Jacob’s Well Natural Area is comprised of five land surveys that all use the natural spring as a corner to tie the properties together. In the early 1850’s, a San Jacinto veteran and resident of Wimberley, William C. Winters, hiked Cypress Creek in search of the rivers source. He found the overflowing springs, that is now Jacob’s Well. Today, the well is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas!
Size:
While the size of the park that the well sits on is very large (over 81 acres!), the well itself is much smaller. The park includes a reasonably pathed hiking trail from the parking lot to the well. Once you get to the well, there’s a trail that will lead you down to access the water, about a 10-minute walk. There’s plenty of space to wade in the cool water around the well, in addition to a rock “bench” to sit on while watching the brave swimmers jump off the rocks into the well. The well itself is 12-foot in diameter and descends another 30 feet. Jacob’s Well has been explored by professional cave divers and shows multiple passageways that measure up to 4,500 feet!
Water Temperature:
This natural spring is a constant 68 degrees all year round!
Parking:
The park includes a parking lot at the top of the trail. Parking is totally free, however the lot is small. We recommend carpooling!
Kid-Friendly:
The park surrounding Jacob’s Well is very kid-friendly! With plenty of fun hiking, geocaching, play and picnic area, as well as a labyrinth and sundial, the kiddos are bound to be entertained. The natural spring is not as kid-friendly for little ones as the park, though. The trail to get to Jacob’s Well is not stroller-friendly and the well can be steep and slippery. The well is great for those kids who are very sure-footed and will enjoy the cold water! Lifejackets are not provided, so please bring your own if needed.
Prohibited Items:
No bikes, pets, glass containers, and alcoholic beverages. Patrons cannot dive from the rocks or SCUBA dive. Small coolers are allowed down to the well area.
Pro Tips:
We recommend packing a cooler and enjoying a lunch at one of the picnic tables after your reservation at the well. Or, take the 10-minute drive to Wimberley and see the town. Here’s some of our favorite things to do in the quaint town. Good shoes is a must when visiting Jacob’s Well! Water shoes that can be hiked in as well are a great option. Lastly, leave all inflatable floats and pool toys at home. Space is limited at the well and you won’t want to haul them down the trail.
Check out all of the swimming holes in the area here.
And if you want more ideas about how to spend a day in Wimberely, click here.
Featured photo via Bluesuedepimpshoes (Instagram)
