Sure, the Texas Hill Country weather gets mighty hot ‘n’ spicy in the summer. And Dripping Springs is hot both literally and metaphorically. Visitors to this small town fall in love with its lush green hills and the opportunity to commune with nature everywhere they go. Here are three places that emanate Dripping Springs.
Home to One of the Most Beautiful Places in Texas
Few people know about this place. Once they find it, they wonder why they hadn’t heard about it. That place is Hamilton Pool Reserve (24300 Hamilton Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78620), a 232-acre of protected natural habitat in the federal Balcones Canyonlands Preserve. Its name doesn’t sound like much. One might think it’s just a park with a swimming pool. But it’s so much more than that.
The jade green pool features a 50-foot waterfall. Although the depth varies and is nothing like a swimming pool, the pool’s deepest point is about 25 feet. Boulders make up the bottom of the pool.
People interested in discovering birds can request the Hamilton Preserve Bird List when they enter the park to find out what birds to seek. Birdwatchers come to find the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler. Before you go to the preserve, visit the website as the pool requires reservations. Hiking, birdwatching, and other activities don’t require reservations.
Milton Reimers Ranch Park
If you want to make a day of your time around the preserve, another great destination is Milton Reimers Ranch Park (23610 Hamilton Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78620). Located on the Pedernales River, the park is the largest parkland acquisition in the history of Travis County.
The park relishes being a rock-climbing destination. Mountain bikers explore more than 18 miles of trail. Everyone can cool down with a swim in the Pedernales River. Also located in the park is Reimers Observatory with its two giant telescopes.
Every first Saturday from October through April, visitors can go on a guided two-hour bird walk or one of the general tours that occur every Saturday.
Hamilton Pool Vineyards and Farms
And the perfect ending to the Hamilton Pool experience would be a trip to Hamilton Pool Vineyards and Farms (25711 Hamilton Pool Rd., Dripping Springs, TX 78663). It’s only 2.5 miles from the preserve. The 9-acre estate vineyard uses French style to process the wine. The tasting room has a courtyard and a bistro café.
Hamilton Pool Farms is also unique in that it’s a regenerative farm. They heal and build the soil by applying regenerative and biodynamic farming practices. These include cover-cropping, composting, mulching, no-tillage, seed saving, and more. You can find their products at the Dripping Springs Farmers Market.
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