Hamilton Pool Preserve, Natural waterfall pool formation in Dripping Springs, United States
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a waterfall formation in the Texas Hill Country, about 23 miles (37 km) west of Austin, where Hamilton Creek drops over an overhanging limestone cliff into a circular natural pool. The grotto formed when the roof of an underground river collapsed, allowing daylight to reach the water and ferns and moss to grow on the damp walls.
Native peoples used the site as a water source for centuries before the Hamilton family acquired the land in the 1860s and operated a ranch. The area was opened to the public and placed under conservation in the 1990s after the county purchased the property.
The name comes from the Hamilton family who owned the land in the 1800s and later turned it into a protected area. Visitors swim and picnic here, though use is carefully managed to preserve the limestone formations and sensitive habitat around the water.
Reservations are required and can be booked online several months ahead, with weekends filling quickly. The descent to the pool involves an uneven trail with roots and rocks, so sturdy footwear and careful footing are advisable.
The water remains cool and clear even during dry summer months because it is fed by underground springs. Swimming is not always permitted, as high bacteria levels after rainstorms can temporarily close access to the pool.
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