36 Pedernales Falls State Park
A day hike across a Hill Country river and through the undeveloped backcountry of Pedernales Falls State Park.
Distance: 6.4-mile lollipop
Approximate hiking time: About 3 hours
Elevation: 780 to 1,040 feet
Trail surface: Dirt path, old roads closed to vehicles; wading across river
Best season: Year-round
Water availability: Trailhead, Pedernales River
Land status: State park
Nearest town: Johnson City
Fees and permits: Park entrance fee
Maps: USGS Hammetts Crossing; Pedernales Falls State Park hikers map
Trail contacts: Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City 78636; (830) 868-7304
Finding the trailhead: Drive west on US 290 about 24 miles from the TX 71/US 290 junction on the southwest side of Austin. Turn right (north) on RM 3232 and drive about 6.6 miles to the Pedernales Falls State Park entrance at the junction with RM 2766. Drive into the park about 3.4 miles to the paved turnoff on the right, marked with the campground sign. Stop at the visitor center along the way to pay the entrance fee and pick up a map. Drive into the campground and go right at the two forks. At about 0.8 mile park in the lot marked with the river trail sign, not the nature trail parking lot just before it.
The Hike
Pedernales Falls State Park is one of the closest hiking areas to Austin and San Antonio. The park lies in typical rolling Hill Country—limestone hills wooded with a scrub forest of oak and juniper. The crystal-clear Pedernales River winds its way through the park in a canyon lined with rocky bluffs. Bald cypresses, veterans of many floods, line the banks of the river. Normally I wouldn’t recommend a Hill Country hike in summer, but this one is an exception. If you start early, you can be back at the river by the time it gets really hot. Jump right in and cool off!
Initially the trail heads downhill to the river. Most of the hike is on old ranch roads used occasionally by park vehicles. A short way down, the trail forks at some signs warning of flood hazards. Go right and stay with the old road. Cross the river on the road crossing and climb up the far bank past the flood-warning siren mounted on a pole. As you have probably gathered by now, the Pedernales River has had catastrophic floods in the past. Pay attention to the weather and any sirens or other warnings.
The route can be somewhat confusing once you climb up out of the river. Follow the directions and map carefully and consider taking a topo map. If you do get lost, just backtrack until you are reoriented. If you are unable to backtrack, just go downhill and you will soon hit the river. Walk upstream along the river and you will find either the road crossing or the developed area around the falls.
Several faint roads fork off the proper route, but unless the directions say otherwise, follow the most traveled route and you will have no trouble. The junction at the start of the loop is reached at about 0.9 mile. The loop is easier to follow counterclockwise, as is described here, so go right at the start of the loop.
At about 1.6 miles the road makes a fairly sharp bend left around a hill. A faint road goes to the right from the point of the sharp turn. If you want to see the old ruined chimney and corral left by some early pioneers, follow the faint track about 75 yards . The corral is usually easier to find than the chimney. Return to the main road after the side trip.
A bit less than 0.5 mile past the corral and chimney, you’ll see an old stone wall on the right. Just past the wall is a junction. Stay left on the more worn route. In only a few more yards, a faint road forks left. This route cuts off the outer part of the loop (see the map) if you want to shorten the hike.
The main road continues for close to another mile or so before hitting the boundary fence. Turn left and follow the fence line up the hill. An old pioneer cemetery lies in a shady grove of oaks and junipers on the left. The old overgrown graveyard is a peaceful, melancholy place.
The trail (not a road anymore) continues up the hill along the fence past the cemetery and reaches the highest point of the hike. At the top the trail turns left and follows the fence down across a broad, grassy drainage. At the top of the other side of the drainage, the trail hits another old ranch road. Go left (south) on the old road. After about 0.5 mile you pass the shortcut route on the left. Finally you’ll hit the end of the loop at a Y. Continue straight ahead, downhill to the river.
Although summers are usually hot and humid, a swim in the river will quickly cool you down. The rest of the year is cooler and more pleasant. Insects may sometimes be a nuisance, mainly in late spring and early summer along the river and creeks. Be sure to visit the falls while you’re in the park. If you have time, take the short nature trail from the other trailhead in the campground. The trail overlooks the hidden oasis of Bee Creek.
Miles and Directions
0.0Start at the trailhead in the campground.
0.4River crossing.
0.9Start of loop at a Y junction. Go right.
1.6 Short spur to old chimney and corral.
2.1Junction with loop cutoff road. Go right.
3.1Park boundary fence. Old road becomes a trail. Go left and follow the trail along the fence uphill past a cemetery.
4.0Junction with another old ranch road. Go left on the road.
4.5Junction with loop cutoff road. Go right.
5.5End of loop at Y junction. Go right.
6.0Cross river again.
6.4Arrive back at the trailhead.