Discuss: Hamilton Pool Preserve - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 11-19-2001, 07:04 PM

Share you comments or questions about Hamilton Pool Preserve, located in Austin, Texas.

06-27-2002, 03:46 PM

I would like to take photos of Hamilton Pool without the swimmers. Do I have to wait until it turns cool to do this or are there times in the summer when it is empty? Also, at what time of the year is there the most water coming down from the waterfall? Thanks.

Clyde

10-08-2003, 01:53 PM

What a beautiful park. Perfect for a day hike is you are in Austin. We hiked down to the waterfall and just sat around and enjoyed nature for a couple of hours. I didn't camp here (and can't remember if there is camping here at all) but I know I'd love to go back!

Shannon · 10-08-2003, 02:40 PM

No camping at Hamilton Pool Preserve, since it's a nature preserve. "Nature Preserve" seems to be the official wording (at least for non-federal lands) for areas that are open to the public but do not permit development or overnight camping, due to potential impact upon the land & critters therein. (Another Texas "nature preserve" that come to mind are Friedrich Wilderness Park in San Antonio.)

I have a Hamilton Pool slideshow (21 photos) from a mid-November 2000 hike at Hamilton Pool. We had no swimmers and, indeed, had the park entirely to ourselves. Probably a combination of the temperatures of mid-November and recent rain -- Austinites may have assumed to park was closed (it does close in bad weather, due to flooding/danger of flooding) at not ventured out that day.

10-09-2003, 07:36 AM

Yeah, I went maybe 2-3 years ago and couldn't remember all the details. there is also some rock climbing around this area. If I remember right there is some sort of ranch next to the reserve that is pretty popular.

Cube · 10-28-2003, 08:18 AM

Well I reckon y'all can thank me (and a couple hundred other hoodlums back in high school) for the park you get to enjoy now.

Back in the late 70s, Hamilton Pool was privately owned, but pretty well known. It was a pretty standard rite of passage to climb the fence and go jump into the pool. Now and then folks would get hurt. After a bit some yahoos (but not this yahoo) would drive their trucks or cars over the fence and park up on the top. I believe the last straw was when some fool drove his truck over the rim, into the pool.

So sometime in the 80's (as I recall), the County was given the opportunity to buy the place cheap. Frankly, if my family owned that place, I'd have had Rottweillers and machine guns guarding it before it left the family.

Anyway, a bit of inside history, from the wayback machine.

11-04-2003, 05:52 PM

How deep is the pool?? Do you think it is possible to jump off of the cliff into the pool??

Shannon · 11-04-2003, 05:56 PM

First off, I'd advise against it. It's a fifty foot drop into a small pool (and there happens to be at least one nice big rock in there, and that's just what's visible from above the water!)

Secondly, I'm not entirely certain folks are allowed up on top of the cliff, as one of the previous posters to this thread mentioned.
Maybe in the past, but not anymore.

Cube · 11-04-2003, 06:43 PM

You do NOT want to do that.
We had folks head to the Emergency Room now and then who did that fool thing.

I'm not sure you can get to the top anymore, with the County ownership.

Take care now.

06-14-2004, 01:01 AM

How deep is Hamilton Pool??????????????
And has anyone ever went diving and explored what might be on the bottom?
What is the biggest catfish seen in the pool???
These are questions I have had about Hamilton pool for years.

Considering indians ocuppied this wonderful waterhole many years ago, possibly there be historical artifacts at the bottom. Has anyone even been as curious as I am to attempt a dive?

Cube · 10-07-2004, 02:23 AM

Howdy,

I realize it's been a bit since the question, but let me say.. the pool is deep and cold. Young and old, good and bad swimmers have died in this water.

I believe that the county divers practice there, but even they use significant caution. It is a dangerous place.

Take care,

11-02-2004, 02:57 PM

Hi all. Hamilton Pool is being threatened by 1300 new homes in three developments along the road leading to the pool. The LCRA has agreed to run a water pipeline to the three developments -- this pipeline makes them, and up to 5000 new homes in future years, economically feasible. Hamilton Pool would become a small park in yet another suburbia.

Hamilton Pool Road Scenic Corridor Coalition has a petition you can download. You can help by printing it out and sending it to us, so we can present it to the LCRA board at their meeting Dec. 7 to finalize the pipeline agreement. We want the LCRA to hold off a little longer on finalizing the plan, in order to let a regional water quality planning process complete in February and set guidelines for development in the region. Thanks very much if anyone can help, and please hurry, only a month remains to save the pool.

Thanks all,

Hugh

11-05-2004, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tank

Yeah, I went maybe 2-3 years ago and couldn't remember all the details. there is also some rock climbing around this area. If I remember right there is some sort of ranch next to the reserve that is pretty popular.

A few words about Hamilton Pool. No, diving is not allowed from the cliff above the pool, in fact as mentioned earlier that area of the park is closed to the public. The best time to go to Hamilton Pool and not encounter swimmers is during the winter months, or even now in November, on a weekday. I have been able to visit the pool several times during the week and have the place virtually all to myself.

Rock climbing is indeed available in the area right next door at Reimer's Ranch. Eugene Reimer opened up his part of the ranch to the public several years ago. For $5.00 a day you can rock climb, mountain bike or hike on the ranch. No reservations are available, you simply look for the sign on Hamilton Pool Road labeled "Reimer's Ranch" and follow the road to a parking area. You can pay family members or you can leave your entrance fee in a "honor" box. You must also sign a liability waiver.

Reimer's Ranch is literally directly over the hill from Hamilton Pool. Incidentally, Reimer's Ranch is also the location of the 50 acre movie set of San Antonio De Bejar and the Alamo of 1836 used for last year's "The Alamo". Anyone interested in reading about the movie set and seeing pictures of it can do so at (shameless plug here):
Remember The Alamo, The Alamo Movie Set That Is!

The set is still standing and is open for group tours, contact info can be found at the bottom of the article linked above. If you want to see the set, now is the time to do so. It is beginning to deteriorate due to exposure and there is a strong possibility that the Reimer family may have to tear down the set after the new year to avoid a hefty "property improvement" tax from the state.

08-18-2005, 09:09 AM

I have been going to Hamilton Pool for over 20 years and it is a beautiful spot. You can hike down the stream or swim in the sink-hole. People used to jump off the cliff where the waterfall is, but that was very dangerous because I believe the height is more like 100 feet than 50, but I could be wrong. When someone landed in the water next to you when you're swimming it sounded like a shotgun going next to your head! Many people have died there over the years, you have to be a pro to live through a jump like that. Diving is no problem, it's no different than swimming or diving anywhere else. But I'm not sure they allow scuba equipment in the pool. I think you can snorkel to the bottom anyway since it's probably not more than 30 feet deep or so.

04-07-2006, 01:16 PM

I can't wait to visit the pool!!
ps i am bringing my 75lb Boxer, if someone doesnt like it they can ask him to leave

he will probably just relieve them of their hand though and go jump in the pool lol