Pedernales Falls State Park is located in the Heart of Texas amongst scrub oak ranch land between Johnson City and Austin. This is where the Edwards Plateau begins its downhill transition to the Central Texas plain. As elevations change the landscape opens up to swooping hillsides and panoramic views. Here, in the midst of the wide open country, Pedernales Falls State Park gives visitors an opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the Texas hill country.
The park is bordered on the north side by the Pedernales River. As the river begins its descent down the plateau into Lake Travis below, it forms a gradual waterfall over limestone formations in the river bed. The waterfall is not the most dramatic or amazing, but viewing the falls from scenic overlook above does provide a sense of grandeur as you witness the relentless rushing water carving its channel through the rock. It is here that we enjoyed our Thanksgiving day hiking adventure.
Chris and I hiked on two different trails in Pedernales Falls State Park – the first going down to the falls itself and the second into the mesquite and oak covered hillsides near the primitive camping area.
Pedernales Falls is formed by the Pedernales River cascading over limestone formations that drop 50 feet from the top of the falls to the river bed below. The river winds along 8 miles of the perimeter of the park and showcases a great diversity of trees and plants. Traditional hill country Juniper and Oak yield to a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and flowers along the river. The trail down to Pedernales Falls is an easy hike – about ½ mile hike over maintained trails from the parking area to an overlook above the falls. Stone steps descend down the last portion of the trail to the banks of the river and where you can walk into the limestone river bed near the falls. From here you can see the cascade of the water up close and observe the rush of the river through narrow channels cut into the limestone by the river.
Hiking along the river you will find much variety. Right at the falls sand lines the river bank and smooth rocks protrude into the river. Hiking and exploring here is easy. This is a popular destination as well – with dozens of visitors enjoying a warm Thanksgiving day while we were there. Downstream is where the river becomes more charming – succulent grasses, delicate mosses, and tender ferns line the brilliantly clear waters of the Pedernales River. In the springtime hikers along the river are known to walk amongst wildflowers as they bloom. Should you visit here, take time to hike down from the falls along the river and enjoy more than just the falls. You will be rewarded for your effort with some delicious scenery and moments of solitude.
Our second hike headed away from the falls into the hillsides overlooking the river. The Wolf Mountain Trail head is near the park’s visitors center. It is here that campers heading to the primitive camping sites at the base of Wolf Mountain begin their two mile trek up to the campsite. The trail is well maintained for access to the campsites and also for hikers who want to explore Twin Falls and the Wolf Mountain overlook along the Pedernales River. Here is where we found cascading creeks crossing the trail and many different kinds of birds. Twin Falls, just a short walk down the Wolf Mountain trail was especially dramatic sitting on the edge of limestone cliffs staring into the cool clear and deep waters of the pool below the falls. Birds flew from tree to tree singing and chirping in the deep limestone crevice carved by the water.
Pedernales Falls State Park is a great place to go hiking. Here we enjoyed two different landscapes on two different hikes. For casual hikers, the park has a lot to offer with two different falls and beautiful scenery. For more serious hikers, there are a multitude of trails and places to explore. If you are looking for a place to hike and enjoy in the Texas hill country, be sure to stop at Pedernales Falls State Park for an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
