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Pedernales Falls State Park

Swimming hole in Johnson City, Texas · River

The Pedernales River sheeting across broad terraces of 300-million-year-old limestone is one of the great views in the Hill Country, and a short 0.25-mile path takes you to the falls overlook.

Typical season: Late spring to early autumn for swimming.

🧭Directions 📖About ✨Highlights 🗺️Map ❓FAQ

About Pedernales Falls State Park

The Pedernales River sheeting across broad terraces of 300-million-year-old limestone is one of the great views in the Hill Country, and a short 0.25-mile path takes you to the falls overlook. Swimming happens away from the falls themselves — it is prohibited there — at a designated beach downstream near Trammell’s Crossing, reached by a strenuous quarter-mile hike with steep rock stairs and no handrail.

That effort keeps the swim area feeling wild: a natural river beach for swimming, wading and tubing under big Texas skies. The park backs it up with more than 40 miles of trails, a bird blind and butterfly garden, and two camping options — 69 water-and-electric sites, or a primitive hike-in area about two miles out. The falls are at their most dramatic after rain — but rain upstream is also when the river is most dangerous, so respect every closure and warning.

Key facts

Address2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

GPS coordinates30.306667, -98.256389

Water typeRiver (designated swimming area on the Pedernales River, downstream of the falls)

Fee$6 per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under free. Gates are open 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Nearest townJohnson City (about 10 miles west of the park)

Best seasonLate spring to early autumn for swimming; the falls themselves are most dramatic after rain. Day-pass reservations are recommended and effectively required on busy weekends and holidays — the park fills up

Access difficultyModerate — the route to the swimming area is a strenuous hike of a quarter mile or more, with steep rock stairs and no handrail. The falls overlook is a shorter 0.25-mile path. Swimming is prohibited at the falls themselves; swimming, wading and tubing happen in the designated river area downstream, near Trammell’s Crossing

LifeguardNo — no lifeguards on duty anywhere in the park

CampingYes — 69 campsites with water and 30-amp electric hookups, plus a primitive hike-in camping area (about a 2-mile trek). Note: the water/electric campground is closed for construction 1–31 October 2026 and 1 January–28 February 2027

ActivitiesSwimming, wading and tubing in the designated downstream river area, hiking (40+ miles of trails), mountain biking, fishing, birdwatching (bird blind and butterfly garden), camping, geocaching

FacilitiesRestrooms with showers, campsites, picnic areas, park headquarters/store, bird blind

Highlights

The Pedernales River sheeting over 300-million-year-old limestone terraces at the falls
Designated swimming beach downstream near Trammell’s Crossing — swimming is prohibited at the falls themselves
Twin Falls and the spring-fed pool on the Wolf Mountain Trail

Access & fees

Entry costs $6 per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free, and the gates are open 8 a.m.–10 p.m. Book a day pass online in advance — reservations are recommended and effectively required on busy weekends and holidays, when the park fills. Remember that the falls themselves are view-only: swimming, wading and tubing happen in the designated river area downstream near Trammell’s Crossing, a strenuous hike of a quarter mile or more from the trailhead.

Stay safe

Flash floods are a real danger on the Pedernales River — if the water starts rising, leave the river immediately
There are no lifeguards anywhere in the park — swimming is at your own risk
Swimming is prohibited at the falls — swim only in the designated downstream area near Trammell’s Crossing
The route to the swim area has steep rock stairs with no handrail — wear sturdy shoes and take your time

Map & location

Get Directions

FAQs

Can I swim at Pedernales Falls?

Not at the falls themselves — swimming is prohibited there. You can swim, wade and tube in the designated river area downstream, near Trammell’s Crossing.

How much is entry to Pedernales Falls State Park?

$6 per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. Gates are open 8 a.m.–10 p.m.

Do I need a reservation?

Day-pass reservations are recommended and effectively required on busy weekends and holidays — the park fills up, so book online in advance.

Editorial review & methodology

Every listing is researched from official land-manager sources, including park, county and state pages, and each fact is re-checked against the named source before publication.

Each page shows its last-verified date, so you can see how recently the details were checked.

If you spot something out of date, corrections are welcomed via the contact page, and you can read more in how we verify.

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Photo: Aleksomber, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

Fee
$6 per day ages 13+; children 12 and under free

Nearest town
Johnson City

Best season
Late spring to early autumn

GPS
30.306667, -98.256389