Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales Falls was absolutely beautiful. So many trees, hills, and water throughout the entire park. The river isn’t completely full like I’m sure it can get after heavy rain, but there’s still plenty of flowing water and it’s such a peaceful sight to see. The trails were awesome, the water was warm, and you can still get in and enjoy it. Depending on where you stand, the water comes up to your calves or knees, and there were tiny minnows everywhere. Definitely one of the prettiest spots I’ve been to in Texas.

Had an amazing time at ! We did two overlook hikes and both had beautiful scenic views of the hills and river. Going down to the river was definitely the highlight — the water, rocks, and peaceful sounds made it such a relaxing experience. The trails were fun and manageable, and the park felt very clean and well maintained. Perfect spot for hiking, nature, and a little escape from the city. Definitely worth visiting!

Located just west of Austin near Johnson City, Pedernales Falls State Park is one of the most scenic natural escapes in Central Texas. Spanning over 5,200 acres along the Pedernales River, the park is known for its dramatic limestone formations where the river cascades over wide, layered rock slabs—creating the iconic “falls” that give the park its name. Pedernales Falls has a rugged, peaceful Hill Country vibe. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours exploring rocky riverbeds, hiking through shaded trails, or just relaxing by the water. The mix of open river views, rolling hills, and quiet wooded areas makes it feel remote. Ideal for a day trip from Houston, definitely worth checking out.

I wiiiiiish that I went here in a better season, but whatever! I just went and it was sooooo hot, but it was worth it. The staff was so friendly and informative. The Hackenburg Loop trail was a bit confusing, because it wasn’t clearly marked throughout the trail, buuuut you can hear the waterfall so just walk towards the sound. It’s a little bit scary to walk around the rocks, but man it’s really pretty! I’m sure it’s even more beautiful when the area is more lush and filled with water. Kind of a beginner / moderate hike, so make sure that you wear hiking boots and long pants. I also went to the bird blind and OMG it was so cute and peaceful. There was a cute little old man who was taking care of the place, and it just kind of felt magical. I felt safe even though I was by myself, but I do recommend coming with a friend since this place is massive!

Had a blast there last weekend! My partner and I went camping there and during our stay, we visited many of the trails, saw some amazing views and even got to walk on the falls due to there not being a lot of rain lately. Which ultimately led to a burn ban being placed a couple of days prior to our arrival, so we couldn’t make a fire. But that was okay because we still had a fantastic time looking at the stars from our camp site. There’s quite a few trails in the park of all different lengths. There’s a swimming area that you can cool off in, after your hike too, which was refreshing. The bathrooms were really clean and maintained. The park staff were really welcoming and helpful explaining some things throughout the park. Would definitely recommend checking this state park out. We will be back