Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve in Texas

Executive summary by darmansjah

Hamilton Pool Preserve is currently NOT allowing swimming due to recent rains and the potential for high bacteria levels.  The earliest time swimming might be allowed is Thursday, September 26.  For updated information about Hamilton Pool Preserve please call our public information line at (512) 264-2740.  During summer days when swimming is allowed, and especially on summer weekends, the number of people trying to visit Hamilton Pool greatly exceeds the number of people the canyon can accommodate.  Hamilton Pool Preserve is a historic swimming hole which was designated a preserve by the Travis County Commissioner's Court in 1990. The diverse vegetation of Hamilton Pool ranges from semi-arid species in the uplands to riparian species in the canyon. Hamilton Pool Preserve is a part of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve (BCP). For more information about BCP, call the Travis County BCP coordinator at (512) 854-9383.

 Hiking trails

A unique natural area surrounds this pool, collapsed grotto and canyon, formed by thousands of years of water erosion. In the mid 1860s, Morgan C. Hamilton owned the property now known as Hamilton Pool Preserve. In 1980, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cited Hamilton Pool as the most significant natural area in rural Travis County. In 1985, Travis County purchased 232 acres from the Reimers family and implemented an aggressive land management plan to restore Hamilton Pool. Ongoing land management practices at Hamilton Pool Preserve include prescribed burns, prairie restoration, endangered species surveys, biological inventories and water quality monitoring.

Pets are prohibited. Swim at your own risk (when swimming is allowed).