Blue Hole is the postcard swimming hole of Wimberley — spring-fed Cypress Creek, towering bald cypress trees overhanging the water, rope swings, a grassy swim lawn. It is also reservation-only during swim season, and weekends sell out. Here's how to actually go.
Blue Hole Regional Park sits 13 minutes from our Wimberley vacation rental and is the most-visited summer destination in town. Here's the complete reservation and visitor guide for 2026.
The basics
- Where: 100 Blue Hole Lane, Wimberley, TX 78676
- Park hours: 8am to sunset, daily, year-round
- Swim season: May 1 through Labor Day daily, then weekends only through end of September
- Swim hours: 9am–1pm (morning session) and 2pm–6pm (afternoon session)
- Reservations: Required for swimming, available online
- Park admission: Free — only swimming requires a reservation and fee
How the reservation system works
Blue Hole uses a half-day pass system run through Wimberley Parks & Recreation. The two daily windows are 9am–1pm and 2pm–6pm. Each pass is for that specific window only.
Half-day passes go on sale starting March 1 at 10am for the upcoming summer season. Weekends in June, July, and the first half of August often sell out 2–4 weeks in advance. Weekdays are far easier to book day-of or 1–2 days ahead.
To book: search "Blue Hole Wimberley reservations" and you'll land on the Wimberley Parks & Recreation booking page. Don't book through third-party sites — only the official Wimberley Parks site is accurate.
Approximate fees (2026 season)
Pricing has historically run around $12 for adults, with discounted rates for children, seniors, military, and Wimberley residents. Check the official site for the current year's exact pricing before booking.
Season passes
If you're a frequent visitor — say, a guest staying multiple times during summer — season passes are sold beginning March 1 for residents and April 1 for non-residents. Season pass holders don't need to make individual reservations and can come anytime during posted swim hours. Non-transferable.
Current status
Like Jacob's Well, Blue Hole's swim access depends on precipitation and groundwater flow. If bacteria, visibility, or water levels become unsafe, swimming is suspended. The park itself stays open year-round for hiking and recreation regardless. Check the official Wimberley Parks site before your visit during drought years.
What's actually at Blue Hole
The swimming area
A stretch of spring-fed Cypress Creek with crystal-clear, cool water. Massive cypress trees lining the banks, several anchored with rope swings (the rope swings are the photo-op everyone comes for). The water is colder than you expect — bracing on a 100° July day, refreshing in the way only spring-fed water can be.
The swim lawn
A grassy expanse adjacent to the creek, shaded in patches by the cypress. You can bring soft-side coolers, towels, chairs (low beach chairs only), and picnic items. No glass containers. No alcohol.
Trails and the rest of the park
The park as a whole is about 126 acres with roughly 4.5 miles of hiking and walking trails. All of this is free and open year-round — you do not need a swim reservation to access trails, picnic areas, the playscape, the basketball court, the sand volleyball court, or the amphitheater. Bring the dog (anywhere except the swim lawn) and walk the trails any time of year.
What to bring
- Water shoes — the creek bottom is rocky
- Towels, sunscreen, hat
- A soft-side cooler with water and snacks — no glass, no alcohol
- Low chairs or a blanket for the swim lawn
- A change of clothes for the drive home
What not to bring: glass containers, alcohol, pets (the rest of the park welcomes dogs, but not the swim lawn), inflatables, kayaks/paddleboards, or anything you'd jump off a tree with. Tree climbing and tree jumping are not permitted and will get you removed.
Tips from frequent visitors
Book the morning session if you can. Cooler air, fewer people in the first 30 minutes, better light for photos. The 9am block usually has the most last-minute availability too.
Lightning protocol. Blue Hole doesn't close for rain, but if lightning hits within a 10-mile radius the swim area is evacuated for 30 minutes. If you're closed out for 50% or more of your reservation block, a full refund is issued. (Refunds are not given preemptively for weather forecasts.)
Wimberley Nights. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 6:30pm–8:30pm during swim season, Blue Hole is open evenings — but for Wimberley residents only. If you're staying in Wimberley and have a resident host, ask if they can take you.
Combine with hiking. The park's 4.5 miles of trails are walkable year-round. A solid plan: arrive at 9am for the morning swim, then walk the trails when you're done before heading back into town for lunch.
Blue Hole vs. Jacob's Well — which one?
Many visitors try to do both. They are different experiences and worth doing both if your trip is long enough.
Blue Hole is a classic Texas swim park — grassy lawn, rope swings, families, picnics. More social, more kid-friendly, more "summer day" energy.
Jacob's Well is a small artesian spring — a geological feature more than a swim park. More photogenic, more sacred-feeling, more contemplative. (And, currently, not open for swimming.)
If your trip is one day, pick Blue Hole — it's the more reliably open and more kid-friendly. If you have two or more days, do Jacob's Well's natural area for the hike and Blue Hole for the swim. See our Jacob's Well guide for the full picture.
Where to base yourself
Blue Hole is 13 minutes from La Paz, our 2-bedroom Wimberley vacation rental. The morning rhythm we recommend: coffee on the deck at 8am, leave the house at 8:30am, parking at Blue Hole by 8:45am, ready for the 9am swim block. Back at the house by 1:30pm for lunch and a slow afternoon. For the full weekend version, see our 48-hour Hill Country itinerary.