Blue Hole Park
Georgetown, Texas · on South Fork San Gabriel River · Blue Hole Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- river
- FALLS
- Waterfall on site
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- Yes, see below
- SEASON
- Best in summer
About Blue Hole Park
Blue Hole Park is a city park in Georgetown, Texas on the South Fork San Gabriel River, just a few blocks north of the downtown Square. It centers on a scenic swimming hole, a limestone-bluff-lined lagoon with a multi-tiered waterfall where people wade and swim.
The park sits along the South Fork San Gabriel River within easy walking distance of downtown Georgetown, described by the city as 'a scenic lagoon bordered by limestone bluffs.' A riverside sidewalk leads from the parking area north along S. Rock Street to the swimming area.
Swimming at Blue Hole Park
Swimming and wading happen in a three-tiered stretch of the river below a small waterfall; water depth on the uppermost tier can reach about 7 feet while the lower tiers are ankle-to-foot deep, making it suit both waders and swimmers depending on which tier they use. The city does not monitor water flow or bacteria levels, so entry is at visitors' own risk.
How to get to this swimming hole
From downtown Georgetown, head north on N. Austin Avenue about five blocks; the park entrance is at W. Second Street and Rock Street, behind the El Monumento restaurant.
Parking: Free public parking at the corner of 3rd and Rock Street (surface lot and adjacent parking garage).
The hike in
- To the water
- ~600 ft one-way from the 3rd & Rock Street parking lot
- Time on foot
- 1-2 minute walk
Difficulty: easy - flat, paved park sidewalk, no trail or elevation gain
No formal trail; visitors walk a paved riverside sidewalk north from the parking area along S. Rock Street directly to the waterfall/lagoon.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Wading areas exist at the lower tiers and the park is marketed as family-friendly, but the uppermost tier of the waterfall reaches ~7 feet deep, the limestone rocks are described as very slick underfoot, there is no lifeguard, and the city does not monitor water flow or bacteria levels - so kids need close supervision rather than free rein.
Parking
Free
Free public surface lot and an adjacent parking garage at the corner of 3rd Street and Rock Street; about a 600-ft walk to the swimming/waterfall area via a paved riverside sidewalk.
Restrooms
Yes
Restrooms are available on-site per the City of Georgetown's official park page; exact location within the park (e.g. near parking vs. near the water) is not specified in available sources.
Hours
5 a.m.-10 p.m. daily (City of Georgetown park hours)
On the water
No source mentions kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or tubing at this location, and none of the official city/tourism pages list boat launch facilities here. The swimming area is a small, shallow, multi-tiered waterfall/lagoon in a compact downtown park, which is not a typical layout for launching watercraft. Could not confirm an explicit rule either way (only cliff/rock jumping is explicitly banned by city ordinance), so left as no watercraft confirmed rather than guessing a ban.
What regulars say
Visitors report that in summer the park 'can look really crowded' but there is 'still plenty of elbow room' to spread a towel or picnic away from the busiest spot near the falls. Multiple visitors warn that the limestone rocks in and around the water are very slick, making footing difficult while wading.
Blue Hole Park: FAQ
Does Blue Hole Park charge a fee?
No entry fee to access the park.
Is Blue Hole Park kid friendly?
Wading areas exist at the lower tiers and the park is marketed as family-friendly, but the uppermost tier of the waterfall reaches ~7 feet deep, the limestone rocks are described as very slick underfoot, there is no lifeguard, and the city does not monitor water flow or bacteria levels - so kids need close supervision rather than free rein.
Do I need to hike to reach Blue Hole Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Blue Hole Park?
Free public surface lot and an adjacent parking garage at the corner of 3rd Street and Rock Street; about a 600-ft walk to the swimming/waterfall area via a paved riverside sidewalk.
When is the best time to visit Blue Hole Park?
Summer, per first-hand accounts, though the site draws crowds then; visited year-round.
What are the rules at Blue Hole Park?
Swimming/wading is at your own risk (city does not monitor water flow or bacteria levels); cliff jumping or jumping from the rock faces is prohibited under city ordinance Sec. 12.20.050; alcohol, glass containers, off-leash pets, fires outside designated grills, commercial activity, and vandalism are also prohibited.
What water body is Blue Hole Park on?
Blue Hole Park is on South Fork San Gabriel River, a natural river verified in USGS hydrography data.
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