Visit your city - Hamilton Pool

Hamilton Pool

Lately, I've been advocating for visiting the city where you live like a tourist. If you'd like to see some of those posts, you can read about The Cathedral of Junk, Dinosaur Tracks, The Skyline Club,  and Stickwork. 

One of my favorite places to take visitors to Austin is Hamilton Pool. West of the city, Hamilton Pool consistently shows up on lists of the most beautiful places in Texas and the best swimming holes in the world.

The pool was created thousands of years ago when the rock dome over the pool collapsed. This area was a ranch for decades and cattle overgrazing caused significant damage to ecosystem. In 1985, Travis County purchased the property and now it is part of their park system.

I wish I had taken more pictures during our visit, but I was so enchanted by the natural beauty of the setting, I just forgot.

If you go: You MUST make reservations to go to Hamilton Pool between March 1st and October 31st. There is a strict limit on the number of visitors allowed on site, so reservations can sell out weeks in advance during the busy season. Cost is $15 per carload with discounts for seniors. Getting to the pool requires a rather steep quarter mile walk from the parking lot. You'll definitely need shoes (flip flops are not recommended). 

The pool is natural water and is not chemically treated. It can sometimes close unexpectedly due to high bacteria levels or flooding. Check their hotline (512-264-2740) before heading out.
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