Wimberley Loop

More Information:

Blanco State Park
HOTE 057

This site is open daily, and developed camping is available at the site.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

Blanco State Park: From US 290 and US 281 south of Johnson City, take US 281 south for 8.1 miles, turn right onto Main Street, then take an immediate left onto PR 23 in Blanco. Park headquarters is on the left.

Weidner Campground: From US 281, take FM 311 east 2.1 miles and turn left after the bridge at the sign for Bigfoot Canoes. Continue to the house at the end of the road.

Blanco State Park is a 105-acre, Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built park consisting of trails, campsites, screened shelters and picnic areas along a one mile stretch of the Blanco River.

 

Despite its small size, Blanco State Park is home to many plants and animals.  Wildflowers such as bluebonnet, Engelmann daisy, Texas paintbrush, firewheel, greenthread, four-nerve daisy and more bloom seasonally.  The Caswell Trail on the southeast bank goes under a bridge where swallows nest, while the River Overlook Trail on the northwest bank passes an ADA accessible bird blind on the way to a decked river overlook. Trees such as Ashe juniper, pecan and bald cypress cover the terrain along the river. Densely vegetated boxelder, elderberry, willows and hackberries attract nesting Ash-throated Flycatcher, White-eyed Vireo, Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager and Blue Grosbeak. Great Horned Owl and Eastern Screech-Owl serenade nightly from the larger trees. Green and Great Blue Herons, Belted Kingfisher and Eastern Phoebe patrol the riverbanks. Anglers fish for largemouth and Guadalupe bass, channel catfish, sunfish and rainbow trout (TPWD stocks in the winter).  Red-eared sliders, spiny soft-shell turtles and river cooters bask on logs along the river. Most mammals are secretive and nocturnal. Usually only their tracks and scat are seen. These include striped skunk, opossum, raccoon, squirrels, white-tailed deer, and grey fox. Four types of bats appear in the park: Mexican free-tailed, Eastern red, cave myotis and tri-color. An assortment of amphibians such as cricket frogs, Gulf coast toads and leopard frogs can be heard and sometimes seen.

Blanco State Park:
(830) 833-4333
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco

Weidner Campground:
(830) 885-7106
www.bigfootcanoes.com

Latitude: 30.0930
Longitude: -98.4238

Jacob's Well Natural Area
HOTE 059

This site is open for day use only.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

From Wimberley, head west 2.3 miles on FM 2325. Turn right on CR 20/Jacob's Well Rd. and go 1.3 miles to Mt. Sharp Rd. Turn left and the entrance is 0.4 mile on the left.

Jacob's Well is one of the most significant natural treasures of the Hill Country. This large artesian spring is fed by groundwater from the Trinity Aquifer and forms the headwaters of Cypress Creek. The well is reached by a trail that passes through woodland of juniper, oak, persimmon, agarita, buckeye and other limestone slope vegetation which hosts Golden-fronted and Ladder-backed Woodpeckers, Bewick's Wren, Carolina Chickadee and Black-crested Titmouse. Watch along the banks of Cypress Creek for Great Blue Heron, Green Kingfisher and other riparian species. Reservations are required if you plan to swim at the well.

(512) 847-2140
https://hayscountytx.com/departments/hays-county-parks-recreation/jacobs-well-natural-area/

Latitude: 30.0367
Longitude: -98.1272

Charro Ranch Park
HOTE 059A

This site is open for day use only.

At the intersection of US 290 and RR 12 in Dripping Springs, turn south on RR 12. Travel 1.5 miles and turn east on FM 150. Travel 0.9 mile to entrance on north side of the road.

Charro Ranch Park is a 64-acre park that offers visitors 2 miles of easy hiking trails traversing grassland, woodland and savanna habitats. Over 110 species of birds have been identified in the park. Visitors should begin their hike at the bird viewing station where you can expect to spot Lincoln's, Savannah, White-throated and Field Sparrows during the winter and early spring. The bird viewing station also provides good sighting of Lesser, American and House Finches, Northern Cardinal and Ladder-backed and Golden-fronted Woodpeckers. Depending on the time of the year, birders will spot Painted Bunting, Summer Tanager, Crested Caracara, Red-shouldered and Red-tailed Hawks, Great-horned Owl, Eastern Screech-Owl, Eastern Phoebe, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Golden-crowned and Ruby-crowned Kinglets, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped and Orange-crowned Warblers, among many other species. In the spring, wildflowers brighten the park with Texas Bluebonnet, Greenthread, Indian Blanket, Winecup, Prairie Verbena, Evening Primrose, Lantana and Engelmann's Daisy, growing among many native grasses and tree species.

Learn more about Charro Ranch Park

Latitude: 30.1625
Longitude: -98.0758

Blue Hole Regional Park
HOTE 059B

This site is open for day use only.
An entrance fee or donation may be required.

From the center of Wimberley on RR 12 (Wimberley Square), head northeast on Old Kyle Rd. Go 0.3 mile and take a left on Blue Hole Rd. Park will be on the right.

The Blue Hole Regional Park includes 126 acres of slightly developed land and its most prominent feature is the natural spring-fed Cypress Creek with the Blue Hole used for generations as a swimming hole. The creek is lined with old cypress trees, and has a great riparian area which provides good bird habitat. The 3.5 miles of trails wind through wooded areas that include large oaks, cypress, cedar elm, persimmon, hackberry and sycamores, which attract many types of songbirds, including Eastern Phoebe, Carolina Chickadee, Northern Cardinal, Ruby-crowned Kinglet and more. There are grassy areas with a number of native grasses in the center of the park. Spring and fall are the peak birding seasons.

(512) 847-0025
Learn more about Blue Hole Regional Park

Latitude: 30.0017
Longitude: -98.0874

Patsy Glenn Refuge
HOTE 059C

This site is open for day use only.

From the traffic signal at the intersection of RR 12 and River Rd., turn east onto Wimberley Community Center Driveway and proceed through parking lot to entrance of Patsy Glenn Refuge.

Year-round viewing is available on a 1.8-acre Wimberley Bird Sanctuary, which includes a Chimney Swift tower, information kiosk, enclosed viewing blind and viewing platform. The refuge also features paths, wildflower areas, butterfly gardens, native tree plantings, bluebird nest boxes and feeding and water stations. The refuge is a haven for local and migratory birds, wildlife, insects and native plants. Enjoy the tranquility of the Hill Country in the heart of the village. The site demonstrates land clearing and restoration practices and responsible stewardship of water resources. Adjacent to Wimberley Community Center with meeting rooms, an art gallery and restroom facilities.

Latitude: 29.9980
Longitude: -98.0989