11 minute read
parks
Dripping Springs parks offer the outdoors the way it should be — with minimal development and a focus on Mother Nature in her natural state. Trails surrounding the Hill Country are in place for locals and visitors alike who want to wind down, clear their heads, take a deep breath, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the area’s natural beauty.
Area parks shine across the Hi Country
MILTON REIMERS RANCH PARK
“If you want to come see Central Te as in its natural state, you can come on out to eimers anch,” says Michael Brewster, park supervisor of Milton eimers anch Park.
Milton eimers anch Park is about 2, 00 acres of mostly undeveloped land with more than 1 miles of trails through the scenic landscape. It has largely been kept the same as it was when Travis County purchased the ranch from its namesake, Milton eimer.
“ e Pedernales iver, like most of eimers, is kept in a primitive state,” Brewster says. “Once you get down to that location there is a nice sandy beach, and if you go walking along the river you’ll be walking through a sort of canyon. ou’ll see the hills on either side.”
“ e sandy beach is limited to a couple of hundred yards and the rest is a grassy area,” he continues. “ e have some trails that will let you walk along the river shoreline.” e pristine parkland, open space and preserved land in western Travis County, just a few minutes from Dripping Springs, o ers almost three miles of continuous frontage along the Pedernales iver.
“If you want to get out in nature, there is a lot of backcountry hiking to do,” Brewster said. “It’s an undeveloped river shoreline, so you can sit on a beach and look at a river. It’s the natural beauty of eimers anch that makes it so popular.”
Beyond the swimming and hiking trails, there are many other popular uses for eimers anch such as rock climbing, fishing, mountain biking and horseback riding. Astronomical programs have recently been added to enjoy the beautiful dark skies of Central Te as at the eimers anch Observatory.
Visit the park’s website for information about current capacity limitations and pricing. 42 • DRIPPING SPRINGS VISITORS GUIDE FALL & WINTER ‘22|’23 Milton Reimers Ranch ark 23610 Hamilton Road | (512) 264-1923 parks.tra iscountyt .go parks reimers-ranch
Hamilton Pool is truly astonishing. An 80-foot concave cli arches around a deep blue-green natural pool, fed by a waterfall and surrounded by lush greenery.
“Most people can’t believe they are in Texas, because it looks more like the rainforest. When people come in from out of town, and I want to show them the natural beauty of Central Texas, I take them to Hamilton Pool,” says Michael Brewster, park supervisor for Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve. “It never fails to astonish people.”
Known since the time of Native Americans, the preserve has an overhang that is a stunning backdrop for a beautiful waterfall. Just minutes north of Dripping Springs, the park is begging to be explored and enjoyed.
Swimming is currently limited to the area accessible from the beach, due to safety concerns with falling rocks from the cli . Nevertheless, there are still plenty of areas to hike and see the incredible natural beauty of Hamilton Pool. e limestone cli s, the cave and the beauty that surrounds it are well worth the price of admission.
“You walk down, it’s a steep quarter-mile hike down to the pool,” Brewster said. “When you start out you see a typical oak juniper savanna of Central Texas. As you go down into the canyon you are in a region that has a lot more vegetation and diversity. ere is a very thick canopy over you. Even ferns are growing in the summertime. You know you are in a di erent type of ecosystem.”
Picnicking and hiking are just a few of the pleasures the park has to o er in its 232 acres. e waterfalls and the con uence with the Pedernales River is a must see. Hamilton Pool is also a nature preserve with a mission to provide habitat for wildlife. ere is diverse vegetation throughout the park, which serves as a home to the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and a variety of other birds.
PHOTO BY DAVE WILSON
Hamilton Pool 24300 Hamilton Pool Road | (512) 264-2740 parks.traviscountytx.gov/parks/hamilton-pool-preserve
Pedernales Falls State Park 2585 Park Road 6026 | (830) 868-7304 tpwd.texas.gov/stateparks/pedernales-falls
PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK
Flowing over and around huge slabs of limestone, the blue waters of the Pedernales River alternate between wide and calm pools of cool, clear water to turbulent rapids cascading through narrow rock channels. ere are plenty of great places to relax — either cooling o in the river during the heat of the summer or sitting under a shade tree to watch the world go by during the fall and winter.
One of the biggest attractions at the State Park are the horizontally unique falls which give the park its name.
“What we have is not a traditional vertical waterfall,” says Jason Hairston, assistant superintendent for Pedernales Falls State Park. “It is more horizontal. It is water owing over limestone rock, but it is such a large area that it is a unique sight to see.” ere is plenty more to see than the falls though. Located on 5,000 acres, Pedernales Falls is one of the largest state parks in Texas. ere are miles of riverfront along the Pedernales River, and more than 40 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. While the river is the main draw, the hiking trails hold the hidden gems of the park.
“ e Twin Falls Trail has a more intimate, smaller-scale double waterfall,” Hairston says. “ It is a really lush green area that people can hike too. It is very quiet, pristine and a more tranquil experience. e Wolf Mountain Trail is a popular trail with four or ve creek crossings. Some do have some interesting features that are accessible. A lot of the trails are heavily canopied so you get some shade and there are interesting rock outcroppings to see.”
Beyond the plethora of day-use activities, Pedernales Falls State Park also o ers both tent camping and RV use. (Campsites with electricity and water will be temporarily closed from Oct. 3 through Feb. 28, 2023.) e park often reaches capacity, so reservations are recommended.
hile neighboring amilton Pool takes up all the press, estcave Outdoor Discovery Center is the hidden gem of the ill Country.
“It is the same formation as amilton Pool, just smaller,” says Amber Ahrns osselin, conservation director of estcave Outdoor Discovery Center. “Once you get into the canyon, you are hiking along ein Branch Creek, which is spring fed. It is lush and green and you can hear the water through the trees. It is like you are in awaii or somewhere else. ou don’t e pect to see this in the Te as ill Country.” estcave is a bo canyon grotto covered in native ferns. ater drips over the elevated, concave wall into ein Branch creek.
“It creates an emerald green pool, which is 20 feet deep,” osselin said. “Along the hike, there are big boulders that collapsed down along the way when the canyon was formed. hen we get to the grotto, we walk behind the waterfall first, and you can see the sunlight catch the water and then we go up into the cave.” estcave is a nature preserve, which means there are more restrictions to protect the land and features. A guided tour is required to hike into the grotto, which, for the most part, is only o ered on weekends. eservations are necessary and can be booked online.
“ e newly acquired uplands is basically an area to hike on your own, and it takes you through the oak juniper savannah and has nice ill Country views,” osselin says. “Bird viewing blinds are available. ou can sit and enjoy the wildlife. e also have butter y gardens under the Ahrns rove, which is named after the family that created the preserve. ere is a mile and a half of self guided hiking trails with benches along the way. ere is a restored prairie area. It is an e ploration on your own at your own pace.”
PHOTO BY JERRY MORENO
Westca e reser e 24814 Hamilton ool Road | (830) 825-3442 westca e.org
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City Parks
DRIPPING SPRINGS PARKS & RECREATION
For a city that retains a “small town” feel so well, Dripping has a wealth of outdoor recreation areas. More than 270 acres have been set aside for outdoor activities. If you’re interested in sports, check out Sports and Recreation Park for soccer and baseball or Founders Park for football, lacrosse or swimming. Interested in going for a hike? Charro Ranch Park and Dripping Springs Ranch Park have extensive trails. ( e Special Events Center at DS Ranch Park typically also has at least one event going on every weekend.) e Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead at Founders Park and Veterans Memorial Park provide quieter experiences in thought-provoking settings.
Home of some of the prettiest nature paths, cross-country jogging trails, and birdwatching in the area, Charro Ranch Park gives visitors a rustic, away-from-it-all feeling, even though it’s right o FM 150. e park has picnic tables and a pavilion, but the emphasis is on enjoying nature in all its calming beauty. For a healthy and fun start to your day, hike the trails from the bird viewing station to the chimney swift tower, then head over to the solstice circle and peace walk. Charro Ranch Park is located at 22690 W. FM 150.
e Dripping Springs Ranch Park is home to the City’s regional 206,000 square foot Event Center and the Parks & Community Services administrative o ces Ranch House. e expansive grounds boast 110 acres of meandering, iconic Texas Hill Country. e event center hosts a variety of events throughout the year from weddings to livestock shows and seasonal markets. It also serves as a program hub for community events like skateboard nights and Coyote Kids Day Camp. Recreational pursuits at the park include hiking, bird viewing, star gazing, mountain biking, trail running, dogs on-leash walking and horseback riding. Dripping Springs Ranch Park is located at 1042 Event Center Drive.
If you’re in the mood for sports, the Sports and Recreation Park is the place for you. e park boasts baseball elds, soccer elds, a basketball court and even a sand volleyball court. ere’s a running and walking trail surrounding it all, a big playscape for the kids, picnic tables in the shade, a concession stand and restrooms open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. e trail goes through sunny and shady areas and makes for a very pleasant walk or jog. Sports and Recreation Park is located at 27148 Ranch Road 12.
Founders Memorial Park features Dripping Springs’ beloved historical and recreational resources. e Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead, an 1854 farm which once belonged to Dripping Springs founder Dr. William Pound, provides a glimpse into simpler days gone by. e community pool is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day and visitors can purchase season pool passes, sign up for swim lessons or reserve a picnic pavilion on the City’s website. e pavilion can accommodate up to 50 people and looks out onto multiple age-varied play structures. It is also the new home of the famed Dripping Springs Farmers Market every Wednesday. Founders Park is located at 480 Founders Park Road.
Located right in the heart of Dripping Springs, Veterans Park started as a place for members of the community to honor those who have served in the military. Surrounding the American ag, there is a display with the names of local veterans, a ag disposal box, and a memorial to POWs and those killed in battle. e park has expanded to host di erent events of interest to the community. Veterans park is where the “Welcome to Dripping Springs” sign is, at the intersection of RR 12, HWY 290 and Mercer St.
