Blue Hole Regional Park
Wimberley, Texas · on Cypress Creek · Blue Hole Regional Park
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- creek
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15
- SEASON
- May
About Blue Hole Regional Park
Blue Hole Regional Park is a City of Wimberley-operated park in the Texas Hill Country centered on a spring-fed swimming hole on Cypress Creek, shaded by mature bald cypress trees. It is a well-known, officially managed swimming destination requiring advance reservations during the May-through-Labor-Day swim season.
The park sits in the Texas Hill Country a few blocks from the historic Wimberley Square, with the swimming hole and surrounding trails shaded by towering, centuries-old bald cypress trees along Cypress Creek.
Swimming at Blue Hole Regional Park
The Blue Hole is a natural, spring-fed pool with clear water around 70°F. Depth ranges from about 1 foot in the shallow entry area to more than 18 feet deep further out, with the bottom sloping gradually; young children can stand in the shallow end while deeper sections suit confident swimmers and rope-swing jumpers. There are no lifeguards, so swimming is at each visitor's own risk, and water clarity drops as crowds stir up sediment near the entry steps.
How to get to this swimming hole
The park is located at 333 Blue Hole Lane in Wimberley, a short drive (a few blocks) from the historic Wimberley Square; a parking lot serves the swim area entrance directly, with no hike needed to reach the water.
Parking: An on-site parking lot serves the swim area; spots closest to the entrance fill up early on busy days, so early arrival is recommended.
The hike in
No hike is needed to reach the swim lawn - it sits centrally in the park a short, flat walk from the parking lot. The park does contain separate recreational trails not required for swimming access: the flat Overlook Trail/Storybook Trail loop, a paved Wimberley Regional Hike & Bike Trail connector, and a 0.4-mile Cypress Creek Nature Trail toward the historic Wimberley Square.
Walk from the parking lot to the water is only a few minutes on level ground.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
OK with supervision
Shallow entry near the stone steps lets kids as young as ~4 touch bottom, but the pool slopes to 18+ feet near the rope-swing area and there are no lifeguards on duty. Water is a cold, spring-fed ~70°F (young kids often shiver/blue lips until age ~6) and the bottom is rocky, so water shoes are recommended. Personal floats/noodles and borrowable life jackets are allowed, which helps with supervision.
Parking
Free
Free parking lot directly at the swim-area entrance; it fills quickly for popular time slots, after which visitors park along nearby streets. A drop-off zone exists but can back up when busy; arriving early in your reserved slot is recommended for a close spot.
Restrooms
Yes
Stone restroom building with attached changing rooms located right next to the swim lawn; additional restrooms near the playground; the pavilion also has an attached restroom facility.
Water clarity
Varies with season and flow
The official tourism listing describes 'crystal clear' spring-fed water, and a first-hand visitor account confirms it 'starts out the day really clear' but gets stirred up and murkier near the shallow entry steps as crowds arrive later in the day. Swimming is also suspended by the park after heavy rains or during low-flow periods that cause unsafe bacteria levels or poor visibility. Visitor tip: arrive early or swim in the deeper water away from the shallow-end foot traffic for the clearest view.
Hours
Park grounds open 8 a.m. to sunset daily (free, no reservation needed for trails/playground/picnic areas). The reserved swim area operates 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m., May 1 through Labor Day plus September weekends; resident-only 'Wimberley Nights' evening swim runs Mon/Wed/Fri 6:30-8:30 p.m. in season.
On the water
Restrictions: Large multi-person rafts, kayaks, and paddleboards are explicitly prohibited in the designated swim area. Small personal (single-user) tubes, pool noodles, and life jackets are permitted; borrowable life jackets are available on site.
Cypress Creek at this location is a still, spring-fed swim lawn rather than a floatable stretch, so there is no on-site paddling; watercraft use would need to happen elsewhere (e.g., the nearby Blanco or San Marcos rivers, which are different water bodies).
What regulars say
Visitors report the bottom is 'very rocky' and uncomfortable barefoot, recommending water shoes; mosquitoes were noted as a nuisance in early June; no speakers are allowed in the water area; and the swim lawn itself has 'less grass and more mud/dirt,' so visitors suggest bringing something to sit on. Early arrival is repeatedly recommended for both clearer water and easier parking/close time-slot access.
Backstory
Blue Hole Regional Park has received notable recognition, including a traveler-voted award from a major travel platform (2021), a USA Today top-10 swimming holes listing (2018), and a Texas Monthly ranking as the second-best swimming hole in Texas (2008).
Blue Hole Regional Park: FAQ
Does Blue Hole Regional Park charge a fee?
Reservations are required for the designated swim area only (other park amenities like the playground, trails, and picnic areas are free). Half-day swim passes start at $15; season passes start at $175 (on sale March 1 for residents, April 1 for non-residents); 'Wimberley Nights' resident swim sessions cost $2 per person on select summer evenings.
Is Blue Hole Regional Park kid friendly?
Shallow entry near the stone steps lets kids as young as ~4 touch bottom, but the pool slopes to 18+ feet near the rope-swing area and there are no lifeguards on duty. Water is a cold, spring-fed ~70°F (young kids often shiver/blue lips until age ~6) and the bottom is rocky, so water shoes are recommended. Personal floats/noodles and borrowable life jackets are allowed, which helps with supervision.
Do I need to hike to reach Blue Hole Regional Park?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Blue Hole Regional Park?
Free parking lot directly at the swim-area entrance; it fills quickly for popular time slots, after which visitors park along nearby streets. A drop-off zone exists but can back up when busy; arriving early in your reserved slot is recommended for a close spot.
When is the best time to visit Blue Hole Regional Park?
Official swim season runs May 1 through Labor Day, plus weekends in September; swim slots run 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2 p.m.-6 p.m. Early-morning visits are noted by visitors as best for clearer water and easier parking.
What are the rules at Blue Hole Regional Park?
Prohibited: alcohol, smoking/vaping, foul language, drugs/weapons, fishing, drones, unauthorized motorized vehicles, fires or cooking outside designated grill areas, feeding wildlife, littering, and pets in the swim lawn area. No lifeguards are on duty; swimming is at the visitor's own risk. The City of Wimberley disclaims responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged personal items.
What water body is Blue Hole Regional Park on?
Blue Hole Regional Park is on Cypress Creek, a natural creek verified in USGS hydrography data.
More swimming holes near Wimberley
Cypress Falls Swimming Hole
Wimberley, Texascreek
🛶🏄🛟
Canyon Park Swim Beach #1
Canyon Lake, Texasreservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤
★ Top verifiedUpper McKinney Falls
Austin, Texaswaterfall pool
🥾 0.6 mi hike
Blue Hole Park
Georgetown, Texasriver
⛺
★ Top verifiedHancock Springs Free Flow Swim Area
Lampasas, Texasspring
Stillhouse Park
Belton, Texasreservoir
⛺🛶🏄🚤