Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park
Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park
Swimming hole in Burnet, Texas · Lake
A short trail east of the day-use area at Inks Lake State Park leads to one of the Hill Country’s prettiest swims: a deep, clear cove walled in by pink granite so old it dates back a billion years, where Spring Creek meets the lake.
Typical season: Late spring to early autumn.
About Devil’s Waterhole at Inks Lake State Park
A short trail east of the day-use area at Inks Lake State Park leads to one of the Hill Country’s prettiest swims: a deep, clear cove walled in by pink granite so old it dates back a billion years, where Spring Creek meets the lake. When the creek is flowing, small waterfalls spill down Valley Spring Creek just above the waterhole.
What makes Devil’s Waterhole dependable is the lake itself — Inks Lake holds a constant level, so this swimming hole stays swimmable even in drought years when other spots dry up. Spend the day swimming, paddling over by kayak or paddleboard, fishing from the piers, or hiking the park’s nine miles of trails — then stay over in one of around 200 campsites or 22 cabins. Brave swimmers jump from the rocks, at their own risk.
Key facts
Highlights
- Deep, clear cove walled by billion-year-old pink granite (Valley Spring gneiss)
- Constant-level lake — one of Texas’s most reliable swimming holes
- Small waterfalls form on Valley Spring Creek just above the waterhole when the creek is flowing
Access & fees
Entry to Inks Lake State Park costs $7 per day for ages 13 and older; children 12 and under are free. From the parking lot, the Devil’s Waterhole Nature Trail runs about 0.2 miles — it starts steep, then levels off — or you can paddle to the cove instead. Reserve day passes online in summer: entry can pause when parking fills, and campsite reservations are recommended too. The park, about 9 miles west of Burnet, has around 200 campsites and 22 cabins for overnight stays.
Stay safe
- There are no lifeguards anywhere in the park — swimming is entirely at your own risk
- Rock jumping is at your own risk — check the water below before any jump, every time
- The shoreline is uneven pink granite — watch your footing, especially when wet
- The access trail starts steep — wear shoes with grip for the walk in
Map & location
FAQs
How much is entry to Devil’s Waterhole?
It is part of Inks Lake State Park: $7 per day for ages 13 and older, children 12 and under free.
Why is Devil’s Waterhole reliable in a drought?
Inks Lake is a constant-level lake, so the waterhole stays swimmable even in drought years when other Texas swimming holes dry up.
Do I need a reservation?
Day passes can be reserved online and are recommended in summer — entry can pause when parking fills. Campsite reservations are also recommended.
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: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
At a glance
Fee
$7 per day ages 13+; children 12 and under free
Nearest town
Burnet
Best season
Late spring to early autumn
GPS
30.730517, -98.369194
Nearby spots
Krause Springs — ~22 miPedernales Falls State Park — ~30 miHamilton Pool Preserve — ~30 miSources & updates
Last verified: 29 October 2026
Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Researched by: Swim Hole Finder team