Unique trails and play areas make this a great family hiking spot in Wimberley, TX.
In our mission to spend 1000 hours outside as a family every year, we’re sharing some of our favorite hiking spots in this series titled “This Week’s Hike”. Jacobs Well is our latest pick.
✅ Trails for Children
✅Swimming (during summer only and when water levels are normal)
✅ Bathrooms
✅ Playground and Open Fields
✅ Free Admission for Park and Trails (and free parking)
✅ Stroller-friendly Trails
❌ Reservations needed
Jacobs Well is on everyone’s summer bucket list as a favorite Texas swimming hole. The depth and mystery of the well add to the draw of this small town destination.
However, during the other seasons, this unique 81-acre park is still a great destination for family hikes and outdoor play.
We’re excited to share everything we love about hiking at Jacob’s Well in Wimberley, TX!
Short but Interesting Trails along Cypress Creek
The trails down to the well and along the dry creek bed are not stroller-friendly or wheelchair accessible, but they are manageable for children and adults of all hiking abilities. There are some steep stairs and uneven ground, but there are some fun surprises along the way, such as bouldering and even crawling within a cavern parallel to the creek. You’ll opportunities to extend your hike on flat, elevated ground too. You can also listen to the audio tour on your phone as you hike.
More Trails
Additional stroller-friendly trails through the woods can be found between the parking lots. They loop around the park, and there are off-shoots (some with uneven terrain), as well as stops along the way to read informative signs, navigate a labyrinth, and watch for winged friends at the bird blind. My kids enjoyed all of these stops, but what they enjoyed most of all was…
Geocaching!
The geocache designers at Jacobs Well take their roles very seriously. These caches aren’t just capsules hanging in a tree. You have to work to find them. If you like treasure hunts and solving clues, you can print the Geocache Brochure ahead of time and use the hints instead of your map to locate the caches.
Once found, you’ll be required to do additional problem-solving onsite to get full access. We found two caches but didn’t even solve one of the puzzles to open it, so we’ll definitely be back to continue the search.
Easy Parking and Access
Google Maps will take you directly to the entrance. In the off-season, you can bypass the check-in station and park in Lot C, near the Hays Master Gardeners’ greenhouse. Right next to the parking lot is trail access and a large play area.
Play Area, Nature Center, Gardens, and Restrooms
Leave extra time to explore the gardens, build a teepee, climb the oaks, soar on the swings, scale the spider web net, be a human sun dial, and run in the open field. On selected days, the indoor nature center is also open.
If you want to make sure you don’t miss anything Jacob’s Well Natural Area has to offer, join a guided tour and hike on Saturday mornings in October through May.
Shaded Seating Area/Pavilions
When you need a break from exploring, there are several tables under a covered pavilion, perfect for picnicking or a snack break. There is also a picnic table in the shade on the trail just above the well if you need an additional snack break, as my kids always do.
Jacob’s Well!
A Few Facts About Jacobs Well (from the County website)
- Jacob’s Well Natural Area is a little over 81 acres.
- Jacob’s Well is an artesian spring that releases thousands of gallons of water a day.
- Jacob’s Well is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas.
- The source of the water comes from the Trinity Aquifer, which makes its way from an extensive underground cave system.
- The deepest part of the cavern system is 140 feet deep. The main cavern length is 4,341 feet and the secondary cavern, which branches off the main cavern, is 1,314 feet in length.
- The water temperature stays a constant 68°F.
- Jacob’s Well is the headwaters of Cypress Creek, which flows through Blue Hole Regional Park and feeds into the Blanco River.
- More than 200 Native Indian groups populated Central Texas and were collectively known as the Coahuiltecans. Three of the most prominent Indian tribes that roamed this area are the Tonkawa, Jumano, and the Comanche.
Even if you check out the well during its aquatic restoration period (non swimming-season), the well is a wonder to look at and hike around. We always spot fish, and because the water is so clear, we try our best to identify them. It’s also fun just to imagine everything down below in the deep cavern.
Cute Town of Wimberley Just Minutes Away
Another big benefit to making the trip to Jacobs Well Natural Area is that the adorable and vibrant Wimberley Square is just 10 minutes away. If your legs aren’t too worn out from hiking and playing, stroll the square and enjoy drinks, bites, shopping, artwork, and live music.
You definitely want to plan a whole day for your visit to Jacob’s Well and Wimberley, but if you’re too beat to hit the town after your hike, we highly recommend taking in a sensational sunset at Shady Llama on Highway 12. Relax in hammocks, taste a few local beers, order snacks from the food truck, and let the kids challenge themselves on the natural obstacle courses. If you’re really lucky, you might spot the llamas that live on the land.
We never get tired of spending the day in Wimberley with its many beautiful hiking spots, cool swimming holes, unique shops, and lively restaurants, no matter the season. It’s great to know that there are options for outdoor exploring year-round.
For other family hike recommendations in the Texas Hill Country, check out our page, This Week’s Hike.
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