Written by Ken & Yvette, Owners of Spoon Mountain Glamping | Luxury Glamping Retreat, Wimberley, TX | Updated July 2026
Disclosure: We own and operate Spoon Mountain Glamping, a paid accommodation close to Blue Hole Regional Park, and this guide includes a section about our own property. Blue Hole is a City of Wimberley public park, and we have no commercial relationship with it. Prices, hours, and policies below come from the city’s own published information and should be confirmed on the official reservation portal before you travel, since municipal pricing changes between seasons.
Blue Hole Wimberley: A Complete 2026 Visitor Guide
We get asked about Blue Hole Wimberley almost every single day, usually within the first ten minutes of a guest checking in.
It’s the reason half our bookings happen in the first place, and it’s easy to see why once you’ve stood on the limestone bank and watched the cypress light hit that impossibly clear water.
This guide is everything we tell our guests before they drive over, updated for the 2026 season, so you’re not working off outdated hours or last year’s prices.
Blue Hole Regional Park sits on 126 acres of Hill Country land just off Old Kyle Road, a few minutes from Wimberley’s town square.
It earned a spot in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide, a distinction based on millions of traveler reviews, and it’s been named one of the best swimming holes in the country by both Texas Monthly and Travel + Leisure over the years.
We manage Spoon Mountain Glamping about two minutes down the road, and we’ve watched this park handle its own popularity better than almost anywhere else in Central Texas.
Blue Hole Regional Park at a Glance
Here’s the reconciled, current information we confirm with guests before they head out, since address and hour listings vary quite a bit across map apps.
| Detail | Current Information |
| Address | 333 Blue Hole Ln, Wimberley, TX 78676 |
| Park Size | 126 acres |
| Park Hours | 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily, adjusted for daylight in winter months |
| Swim Season | May 1 through late September |
| Swim Time Slots | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM |
| Reservations | Required for the swim area only; trails, picnic areas, and playscape are free and reservation-free year-round |
| Adult Admission | $12 (ages 13 to 59) |
| Trail Length | Approximately 3.5 miles |
| Water Temperature | Roughly 68 to 72°F year-round, spring-fed by Cypress Creek |
| Parking | Free, on-site, limited during peak summer weekends |
| Phone | (512) 660-9111 |
We’ll walk through every line of that table in more detail below, starting with the questions guests ask us most.
Blue Hole Wimberley Reservations: The Question We Get Asked Most
This is the single most common Blue Hole Wimberley question we field at the front desk. The short answer is yes, but only for swimming.
- Reservations are mandatory for the swim area during the May through September season, and the city caps daily capacity at roughly 300 swimmers per session to keep the water clean and the lawn from getting trampled.
- You do not need a reservation to hike the trails, use the playscape, visit the picnic areas, or shoot photos from the overlook.
- Weekend swim slots in June and July often sell out five to seven days ahead, so we tell guests to book the moment their travel dates are locked in.
If you show up without a swim reservation in peak season, you can still enjoy the rest of the 126-acre park. You just won’t be allowed into the water itself.
Blue Hole Regional Park Tickets, Reservations, and Prices for 2026
Booking happens directly through the city’s reservation portal at wimberleyparksandrec.com, not through any third-party ticket reseller.
We tell guests to bookmark that page, since a few outdated aggregator sites still show 2023 pricing for Blue Hole Wimberley tickets.
Half-Day Pass Pricing
Half-day passes cover a four-hour swim window and are the option most vacationing couples and families choose.
| Category | Price |
| Adult (ages 13 to 59) | $12 |
| Youth (ages 4 to 12) | $8 |
| Senior (60+) | $8 |
| Military (valid ID required) | $8 |
| Wimberley resident (78676 zip) | $6 |
| Child under 3 | Free |
| Limestone picnic table rental | $20 |
| Swim lawn umbrella rental | $20 |
Season Pass Pricing
Frequent visitors and anyone staying in Wimberley for a week or more usually come out ahead with a season pass, which runs May through September with no reservation required.
| Category | Price |
| Adult season pass | $150 |
| Youth season pass | $125 |
| Senior season pass | $125 |
| Military season pass | $125 |
| Resident season pass | $100 |
Wimberley residents can purchase season passes starting March 1 at 10:00 AM, and non-residents can buy starting April 1.
At $12 an adult half-day pass versus $150 for the season, the break-even point is 13 visits. A season pass only makes sense if you live locally or are spending most of a summer here — for a weekend trip or a week’s holiday, half-day passes are far cheaper.
Cancellations and Weather Policy
Blue Hole does not close for ordinary rain, which surprises a lot of first-time visitors packing for their trip.
- Cancel a swim reservation seven or more days ahead, and you receive a 75 percent refund.
- Inside seven days, confirm the current policy on the portal — the city does not publish a partial-refund tier for late cancellations.
- If lightning is detected within a 10-mile radius, the swim area is evacuated and closed for 30 minutes at a time until the storm clears.
- If the swim area stays closed for 50 percent or more of your reserved window, the park issues a full refund.
- Refunds are not issued in advance based on a weather forecast — you have to turn up and let the closure happen.
Half-Day Pass or Season Pass: Which One Should You Book?
Guests ask us this constantly, and the answer really depends on trip length.
Choose the half-day pass if:
- You’re visiting Wimberley for a weekend or a single glamping night
- You only plan to swim once or twice during your stay
- You want the flexibility to pick a specific reserved time slot
Skip the half-day pass and get a season pass if:
- You’re staying a full week or returning to Wimberley multiple times this year
- You want to swim spontaneously without checking reservation availability
- The math works out, since three half-day visits already cost more than an adult season pass
Blue Hole Wimberley Water Temperature and Depth: What to Expect
This is one of the most searched Blue Hole Wimberley questions, and for good reason. Nobody wants to show up in July expecting a warm swim.
- The water stays a consistent 68 to 72°F year-round because it’s fed directly by Cypress Creek’s underground springs, not by surface runoff or sun exposure.
- Depth varies significantly by section, from ankle-deep wading shelves near the entrance to sections reaching an estimated 16 to 20 feet near the rope swing area.
- The temperature is exactly why the park stays busy even on 100-degree Hill Country afternoons. Most guests describe the first thirty seconds as a genuine shock to the system.
We tell first-time visitors to ease in from the shallow end rather than jumping straight off the rope swing.
The cold hits differently when you’re not expecting it, and easing in makes the whole experience more enjoyable rather than a gasp-and-recover situation.
Things to Do in Blue Hole Regional Park Beyond Swimming
The swimming hole gets all the attention, but the park itself offers a lot more once you’re past the water.
- Rope swings: Positioned over the deepest section of the creek, these are the park’s signature feature and a rite of passage for most Texas kids.
- Hiking and biking trails: Roughly 3.5 miles of shaded, mostly flat paths wind through cypress groves and meadow sections, connecting to the wider Cypress Creek trail system.
- Wildlife watching: Herons, deer, and butterflies are common sights along the quieter sections of the trail, especially in the early morning.
- Picnic areas: Grassy lawns and shaded groves throughout the park accommodate everything from a quick sandwich stop to an all-day family gathering.
- Sports and recreation: The park also has a basketball court, sand volleyball court, playscape, and community amphitheater that most visitors never mention.
- Seasonal events: Movies in the Park screenings, Blue Hole Halloween, live music, and yoga sessions rotate through the calendar depending on the month.
For more local culture and outdoor performing arts nearby, don’t miss our comprehensive Emily Ann Theater 2026 Guide.
Blue Hole Nights: The Detail Most Guides Get Wrong
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from May 1 through Labor Day, the park runs Blue Hole Nights from 6:30 to 8:30 PM for Wimberley residents. It is first-come, first-served.
Here is the part almost every other guide gets wrong, including our own earlier draft: visitors are not locked out. A Wimberley resident can bring up to ten guests at $2 each, and those guests do not need to be residents themselves — they just have to be accompanied by one. Residents holding a season pass get in free during these sessions.
So if you know anyone local, an evening swim at Blue Hole costs $2. It is also why residents treat this park like a backyard pool.
Blue Hole Regional Park Hiking and Trails
The trail system doesn’t get nearly enough credit compared to the swimming hole, and honestly, it’s one of our favorite parts of the park to recommend for guests who visit outside swim season.
- The main loop covers close to 3.5 miles through mixed cypress forest, open meadow, and creek-side paths.
- Trails are mostly flat and shaded, comfortable for casual walkers rather than serious hikers.
- Surface and accessibility: [CONFIRM — which sections are paved or compacted, whether there is accessible parking, and whether the swim area has an accessible entry]. Worth answering: no competing Blue Hole guide does, and visitors with mobility needs currently have nowhere to look.
- Sunset walks along the western stretch catch golden light through the cypress canopy, consistently one of the most photographed spots in the park.
- Trail access is free and available year-round, with no reservation needed at any point.
Blue Hole Regional Park Weather and the Best Time to Visit
Weather shapes this trip more than most visitors expect, so we built out a season-by-season breakdown based on what we actually see guests deal with.
| Season | Weather | Crowd Level | Swimming |
| Spring (March to May) | Mild, 70s to low 80s°F | Moderate | Opens May 1, reservations start filling fast |
| Summer (June to August) | Hot, 90s to low 100s°F | Heavy, book a week ahead | Peak season, reservations essential |
| Fall (September to October) | Warm days, cool evenings | Light | Swim season ends late September |
| Winter (November to February) | Cool, 40s to 60s°F | Very light | Swimming closed, trails remain open |
Late May and early September tend to be the sweet spot. The water is already at full swimming temperature, but the crowds haven’t hit their July peak yet.
Getting to Blue Hole Wimberley: Map and Directions
Blue Hole sits off Old Kyle Road, just past the town cemetery, a few blocks from Wimberley Square.
- From Austin, plan on 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, covering roughly 38 miles down RR 12.
If you’re planning your drive, check out our guide on How Far Is Wimberley From Austin? for the best scenic routes and travel tips.
- From San Antonio, the drive runs about an hour, mostly along scenic Hill Country back roads.
You’ll pass right by some of the most dramatic ridges in the state, so consider taking a detour along the legendary Devil’s Backbone scenic loop for incredible valley overlooks.
- From Spoon Mountain Glamping, it’s about two minutes by car, making it one of the easiest add-ons for any stay with us.
- Punching “Blue Hole Regional Park” directly into Google Maps or Apple Maps works more reliably than searching the street address.
Parking Reality Check
Parking is free and on-site, but it is not unlimited. On a busy June or July Saturday, the main lot fills by mid-morning, and staff will direct overflow vehicles to secondary areas that add a short walk to the entrance.
We tell guests booking a 9:00 AM swim slot to arrive by 8:45, both to park close and to grab a shaded picnic spot before the lawn fills in.
Blue Hole Wimberley Camping: Where to Actually Stay
Here’s something that surprises a lot of first-time visitors searching for Blue Hole Wimberley camping options.
The park itself does not offer on-site camping, tent sites, or RV hookups. It’s a day-use recreational park, not a campground.
- What Blue Hole does offer is free day parking, picnic areas, and trail access without any overnight stay component.
- Guests looking for an overnight experience near Blue Hole typically choose glamping, boutique cabins, or vacation rentals in Wimberley proper rather than traditional tent camping.
Spoon Mountain Glamping
That’s exactly the gap Spoon Mountain Glamping fills.
We’re two minutes from the park entrance, with three safari tents (Shaka, Kingfisher, and Chisum), each featuring a private deck, soaking tub, king-size bed, and heated pool, running in the $300 to $500 nightly range depending on season and tent.
Guests who swim at Blue Hole in the afternoon and come back to a heated private pool and soaking tub in the evening consistently tell us it’s the best part of the trip.
It’s a favorite for couples looking for unique Anniversary Getaway Ideas 2026 that blend rugged outdoor adventure with high-end comfort.
We have earned a 4.9-star rating on Google from 112 reviews, with guests consistently praising our luxury safari tents, private outdoor tubs, and romantic Hill Country setting.
Before You Book Blue Hole Wimberley: What to Confirm First
A few small details trip up more travelers than anything else, so we always run through this list with new guests before their visit.
- Confirm your swim reservation window matches your actual arrival time. Late arrivals do not get automatic extensions.
- Check the weather forecast the morning of, since lightning within 10 miles triggers a 30-minute closure that eats into your window.
- Bring water shoes. The creek bed is naturally rocky in sections, and bare feet are not comfortable on the limestone.
- Pack cash or a card for picnic table and umbrella rentals, since walk-up availability is limited.
- Leave glass containers and alcohol at home. Neither is permitted inside the designated swim area.
What Visitors Often Don’t Realize About Blue Hole Wimberley
Most first-time visitors assume the whole park requires a reservation, and that misconception alone stops people from visiting outside swim season.
In reality, the trails, picnic lawns, playscape, and sports courts are completely free and open every single day of the year, with no booking required.
We regularly host guests in November and February who hike the full trail loop, pack a lunch, and never touch the water. It’s a completely different, quieter version of the same park.
Blue Hole Regional Park Reviews: What People Actually Say
Blue Hole holds a strong reputation across every major review platform, and it’s earned rather than manufactured.
- It carries a rating of around 4.1 stars on Yelp across more than 160 reviews, with guests consistently praising the water clarity and the calm the reservation system creates.
- On Reddit, discussions in Central Texas travel threads tend to circle around the same two topics: how early to book summer reservations, and whether the water is really as cold as people say. Both are worth taking seriously. Summer weekend slots do sell out days ahead, and yes, the water really is that cold.
Worth the Extra Drive?
If you’re staying in Austin or San Antonio and weighing whether Blue Hole is worth the drive over a closer, less-known swimming spot, our honest answer is yes, provided you book ahead.
The reservation system is exactly what keeps this park from feeling like an overcrowded tourist trap, the way some closer alternatives do in peak summer.
Guests who’ve tried both consistently tell us Blue Hole’s water clarity and shade coverage beat anything closer to the city.
Make the Most of Your Blue Hole Wimberley Adventure
Blue Hole Wimberley earns its reputation the honest way, through consistently cold, clear water, a reservation system that actually works, and a trail network most day-trippers never bother exploring.
Book your swim slot early if you’re visiting between May and September, confirm your parking plan for peak weekends, and don’t skip the trails just because the water gets all the attention.
If you’re building a full weekend around the visit, our safari tents at Spoon Mountain Glamping sit two minutes from the entrance, and we’re always happy to help guests time their reservations around sunrise swims or golden-hour trail walks.
FAQs | Blue Hole Wimberley
How much does it cost to get into Blue Hole Regional Park in 2026?
Adult half-day passes run $12, with discounted rates of $8 for youth, seniors, and military, and $6 for Wimberley residents. Season passes start at $100 for residents and go up to $150 for non-resident adults. Blue Hole is card-only and does not accept cash.
Do I need a reservation to swim at Blue Hole Wimberley?
Yes, reservations are required for the swim area only during the May through September season. Trails, picnic areas, and the playscape never require a reservation. Season pass holders can swim without booking each visit.
How deep is Blue Hole Regional Park?
Depth ranges from shallow wading shelves near the entrance to an estimated 16 to 20 feet in the deeper sections near the rope swing.
What is the Blue Hole Wimberley water temperature?
The spring-fed water sits at a consistent 68 to 72°F year-round, which is why it feels cold even during peak summer heat.
Can I bring my dog to Blue Hole Regional Park?
Pets are welcome on a leash throughout the trails and picnic areas, but are not permitted in the swim lawn area at all.
Is there camping at Blue Hole Wimberley?
No, the park does not offer on-site camping or RV sites. Most overnight visitors choose glamping or vacation rentals in Wimberley, including our own property nearby.
Is a Blue Hole season pass worth it?
Only if you visit a lot. At $12 an adult half-day pass against $150 for the season, you need 13 visits to break even, so a season pass makes sense for locals and long summer stays rather than for a weekend trip.
How far is Blue Hole Wimberley from Austin and San Antonio?
It is roughly 38 miles and 45 minutes to an hour from Austin down RR 12, and about an hour from San Antonio, both scenic drives through the Hill Country.
Are there other swimming holes near Blue Hole Wimberley worth visiting?
Jacob’s Well, a few miles away, is a popular deep spring-fed swimming hole worth combining with a Blue Hole visit, though it runs its own separate reservation system. Because Cypress Creek has many seeps and springs of its own, Blue Hole can stay open even on days when Jacob’s Well is closed.
What happens if it rains during my Blue Hole reservation?
Ordinary rain does not close the park. Lightning within 10 miles triggers a 30-minute evacuation of the swim area, and if it stays closed for half or more of your window, you receive a full refund. Refunds are not issued in advance based on a forecast.
Sources Consulted:
- Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department official website and reservation portal
- Visit Wimberley, Texas, official tourism resources
- Google Reviews
- Tripadvisor
- Yelp
- Reddit travel discussions (Central Texas and Wimberley-related threads)
- Our team’s direct operational experience managing stays two minutes from Blue Hole Regional Park
