If you're looking for a quick outdoor escape in the Texas Hill Country, Old Baldy Park is one of…read morethe best hidden gems in Wimberley. This small park, just a couple miles from downtown Wimberley, is all about the climb and the view. It's only about a 0.2-mile hike, but don't let the short distance fool you--the 218 rock steps will definitely get your legs working. Once you reach the top, you're rewarded with stunning 360-degree views of the Texas Hill Country, making it absolutely worth the effort. The vibe here is peaceful and scenic--perfect for a quick nature break, catching a sunrise or sunset, or just enjoying some quiet time with great views. It's also very family-friendly and pet-friendly, though the stairs can be a bit challenging for some. Old Baldy isn't a long hike or a full-day park--it's more of a quick but rewarding climb. Simple, scenic, and one of those spots that feels like a local secret. Definitely worth stopping by if you're in Wimberley, especially for the views at the top.

Old Baldy Stairs Park, nestled in a residential area surrounded by houses is a must-visit…read moredestination whenever you're in Wimberley. The hike is short but very steep. And although the steps are very narrow, handrails on both sides make it feel safe. Upon reaching the top, you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree view of Wimberley Valley. Great way to get your steps in while breathing in nature. Note: There's very limited parking space.

Stopped by during my lunch break while working in Wimberley Texas. Very nice park with good hiking…read moretrails and parking lots. There's a visitor center, and several gardens and placards all along the trail to tell the history and ecology of the area. The well itself did not appear to be flowing or if it was it was flowing only slightly. The hike as you get close to the well is a little bit more treacherous, but not too bad. Once you are there, the well is dark emerald green in color. It looks kind of mysterious. lol Good spot for a short hike to explore some nature and see a natural wonder.

I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more…read morecaptivating and visually appealing than my experience of it. But despite that notion, Jacob's Well overall is very underwhelming. The hike is probably the shortest and least challenging I've ever experienced. There are several mini trails that are great for kids to explore, along with a large tire swing at the front entrance. Jacob's Well is definitely very kid- and senior-friendly as it's not very strenuous at all to hike or walk around. It's a nice that it's there for everyone to experience nature but again, very underwhelming. We spent about half an hour there which was enough time to experience the entire area. Definitely worth a visit if it's your first time in Wimberley.

We visited during the 2-6pm time slot and now I understand why reservations are required. The place…read moreis smaller than I expected, but that actually makes it feel more peaceful and less crowded. Everything was very organized and the staff did a great job keeping things running smoothly. The water was great a bit cold but clear and so refreshing on a hot day. We also had a lot of fun using the rope swing! Just sharing a few tips: large umbrellas aren't allowed, but you can bring a small one, and you'll probably want it if it's sunny. There are some reserved spots available but they're very limited and book up fast. If you don't have one, make sure to arrive early because most spots are first come, first served. You could bring your own food and drinks but alcoholic beverages are not allowed. Overall, such a fun place to spend a few hours and cool off. Definitely worth the visit!

Love the new trail markers! They make navigating trail intersections so clear. Beautiful park to…read morehike in.

If you're in the San Antonio area, the damn lake gorge tour is a must for you and your family. We…read moreused this as a team outing as our international team members came to visit. What fun we all had. The tour is less than 2 miles of a walk on a very slow leisurely pace. The guides will provide highlights and answer any questions along the way. Go online and reserve your space. Tickets sell out way ahead of time. This is because so many local schools bring students here for tours. You will be amazed to learn, not only geological structures, but also the effects of mother nature and the dam break that created the gorge a few years back. We left appreciating the forces of mother nature and the army corp of engineers even more. Don't be surprised to see fault lines, and dinosaur tracks, as well as, and beautiful views at every turn.

Great car show we went to this past weekend. The lake is gorgeous and not hard to find. We went to…read moreNorth Park but what sucks is it's only open from April to September. With such nice spots to picknik or camp they really should open it more throughout the year.

What a neat park so close to home that is manageable in size and interesting in, well, nature…read more Perfect for a quick hike alone to watch birds eat and bathe in a sanctuary built for them. Also great for getting the energy out of the kids with fairy doors to look for, a chimney structure created for a specific feathered friend in mine and other fun rocks and benches and more to crawl on. The path is a mix of mulch and dirt. Dog bags and can provided so it's great for the four legged friends as well. There is a small rustic pavilion and picnic benches scattered. No restrooms. The map at the trailhead definitely needs to be updated but I guess that makes part of the charm in the unknown discoveries. Wish I had more pics to share with you but you should probably see the rest of it for yourself.

This trail is so peaceful and interesting! There was no one else there on a Sunday afternoon,…read moreexcept for a deer and several birds. There are landmarks scattered throughout the trail, spaced every 10 minutes or so to encourage you to keep going. The park feels like someone's backyard instead of a regular hiking trail, but in the best way. I'm not sure how long the trail is; maybe one mile? It took about 30 minutes to complete while stopping to look at the signs and structures along the way. It's definitely worth visiting! There are plentiful directional signs around the park so you never feel lost. A very unique experience.

It's time for a summer 2024 update on my review of Guadalupe South River Nature Trail (GSRNT,…read morelocated just below the Canyon Lake Dam off South Access Road in Canyon Lake, Texas). I still love this park and trail system, and everything wonderful in my original review holds true, but there is an important caveat to share (read to the end to find out). Please, if you visit this wonderful park, leave no trace. Pack out what you bring in, and if you are able bodied, get bonus karma points by bringing in a WORD mesh bag (you can pick one up at the trailhead) to carry out any trash you may see along the trail. If we all work together, we can keep this place as a clean and harmonious place for all to experience the wonder and awe of Mother Nature. GSRNT is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) with contributions by the local nonprofit Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) of Comal County and the Lindheimer Chapter of Texas Master Naturalists https://txmn.org/lindheimer/, plus semi-annual Eagle Scout projects for trail rehabilitation and Keep Canyon Lake Beautiful (KCLB) for trash pickup. Most people doing work on this trail system are unpaid volunteers who care about this community. Parking for about 30 vehicles is available on the tree-shaded dirt/gravel lot on the river side of the South Access Road, and the trailhead is at the corner of the lot. Walk carefully as you follow the trail, as there are quite a few rustic steps and tree roots with a bit of elevation change if you continue to the end of the 1 mile, single-track path. The 30 markers along the trail highlight some of the native plants that thrive near our Hill Country waterways. See the guide online at https://txmn.org/lindheimer/guadalupe-river-south-trail/ . If you aren't a hiker, there's great fishing on the bank and cold water for floating or lounging in a short chair. Bird watching is an option, too. Access to GSRNT is unfortunately restricted on weekends from Friday evening to Sunday evening since May 2023. Why? During the pandemic, exponentially more people began spending time outdoors and many new visitors discovered the beauty of the parks in the Texas Hill Country. Unfortunately, too many of these folks left behind litter and destruction, with no regard for the impact to other visitors, park maintenance volunteers & staff, or the natural habitat. This negative behavior resulted in changed policies and reduced hours at numerous parks, including GSRNT. The restricted access is a bummer for locals and conscientious visitors alike. Most people work during the week and only have time for hiking on the weekends. It's a shame that a few bad apples ruin things for everyone. :-( On the other hand, I am grateful that the damage to GSRNT is being minimized and it's in good shape whenever I am able to visit on weekdays.

Who doesn't love a free nature park or trail! We came to…read morecanyon lake on new years weekend and had a list of their trails and parks we wanted to hit but a lot of it was closed except for this special trail. They had a decent parking lot and we began our trail. The trail is large and lengthy, there were a few benches and some decent pic spots, it's on the other side of the river and the housing area. The water in the river is also pretty clear. It was a nice free nature thing to do especially when the weathers nice!

Twas a nice and short trail in the community! Had a nice 1 hr 15 walk on Saturday afternoon! The…read moreweather is great, nature is awesome and people are beautiful! A lot of shades are there which was nice! Like it a lot and wish the creek is not dried up

Didn't realize all the pics I got here were with my baby boy. Lol easy walk. Little off trail…read moreaction. Little confusing at first but was able to use my all trails app and it directed me where to.

Overlook Park and Dam at Canyon Lake (about 50-60ish miles from both Austin and San Antonio) is the…read morepublic park I visit most often since joining the CL community in June 2020. At least a couple of times per month, we make our weekend run over the dam from North Park and bask in the seasonal beauty of the big blue lake, the variety of plants on the slopes and forest, and the joy of other visitors taking it all in. Who knows how long it will last in these troubled times for public works, but today, the park remains free to enter from dawn to dusk. The enforcement of parking and capacity limits is by Comal County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), while the authority for the water and 1964-built dam falls on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department Game Wardens, and the Guadalupe - Blanco River Authority (GBRA). Finally, the Water Oriented Recreation District (WORD) helps with safety signage and waste management around the park by providing free litter bags to make it as easy as possible for visitors to pack out their trash. The park technically doesn't promote swim access, and there is no lifeguard or buoy barrier system for protected swim zones, but you will see many swimmers and floaters in the cold water around the rocky shore during warm weather. The closer to the dam you are, the more likely you'll see fish swimming in the clear water, so bring your snorkel and enjoy. Keep in mind, depth drops off steeply down to 120 feet, so if you're not a strong swimmer, a life vest or other safety provisions may be in order. Certainly, keep an eye on your kids at all times. If you want a coveted spot for the day at the shoreline, you're going to need to plan ahead. Pack up your provisions, chairs, shade tent, what-have-you and get to the park as soon as possible after dawn to secure a parking spot. You'll need your goat feet and maybe an all-terrain wagon to get down the rocky trails to your place at the water. The shore is entirely limestone, so you typically won't be able to use stakes for a pop-up; plan to weigh down with something else, as Canyon Lake gets VERY windy. Restrooms are at the far southeast end of the park, near the Gorge overlook. You'll also find porto-johns near the dam gate and disabled parking spots. If you're still there by sunset, you'll hear the sheriff's deputy over a PA system asking you to leave. There is no camping or overnight parking allowed. Note that this park is also home to USACE headquarters for Canyon Lake. Their visitor center is open Mon-Fri, 8a-4:30p except for federal holidays. A few times per year, special events may open up an opportunity to drive across the dam's paved path (a.k.a. the Verada Real). These spots are secured through a charitable donation to the DAM Community Alliance (damcommunityalliance.com) and tend to sell out fast. Otherwise, only pedestrians, strollers, and bicycles are allowed on the paved path. Dogs should be on leash and poop should be picked up, please, for the love of all that is holy. More to come....

We have lived next to Overlook Park and Canyon Dam for 10 years and it has gone to hell in a…read morehandbasket in the last two or three years. It's like the county government, in coordination with the Army Corp. of Engineers has decided that they just don't want people here. First it was erecting "no parking signs" on the road and handing out tickets by the sheriffs department. Then they installed tire flattener spikes at the exit and gate barriers so that access was restricted. They had the sheriffs department come in every night to throw people out at sunset. We used to call that person the "Dam Nazi" (Canyon Dam). Now they close the place early even before hours are over and sometimes they don't open it at all. And worst of all they've started lining tow trucks up to tow people's cars at sunset without warning. It's ridiculous. It's like they are practicing for totalitarianism. It's like the government has decided that they hate people. My daughter and son-in-law walked the over-the-dam walkway with our 3-year-old granddaughter; when they came back to leave, his pick-up truck was in the air - the tow truck driver said he would take $150 to lower it again so they could drive home. People are literally starting to move out of Comal County. It has become downright evil and the Guadalupe Blanco River Authority seems to be getting rich by selling all of Canyon Lake's water downstream. This is the rural version of Los Angeles, Seattle or Denver. It's getting nasty.