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Hamilton Pool Road, Pedernales River, Texas
Photo: Fredlyfish4 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Drives Texas Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country

Hamilton Pool Road

Hamilton Pool Road, RM 3238, RM 962 · Bee Cave → RR 962

Leisurely16.7 mi25 min1,100 ft climbHigh point ≈ 1,400 ftOne way
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The drive

Hamilton Pool Road heads west from Bee Cave into the Hill Country, and it's best known for where it goes: Hamilton Pool Preserve, a Travis County preserve where a waterfall spills from an overhanging cliff into a green pool. The first stretch out of Bee Cave, between Highway 71 and Ranch Road 12, has been widened by TxDOT with new lanes, a center turn lane and shoulders; past Ranch Road 12 it narrows into a quieter two-lane through ranch hills.

The preserve entrance comes about two-thirds of the way along. Just west of it the road drops in tight switchbacks to the Pedernales River crossing, the one twisty stretch of the drive, then climbs out to end at Ranch Road 962.

Along the way

  1. Bee Cave
  2. Hamilton Pool Preserve
  3. RR 962
Elevation
1,100 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 1,400 ft
Bee CaveRR 962
Curves
Mostly gentle, with one twisty stretch
Bee CaveRR 962
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Hamilton Pool Preserve needs a reservation every day from March to October, and on weekends and county holidays from November to February; there's a fee per vehicle, paid when you book, and no entry without one.
  • Swimming isn't guaranteed: it depends on bacteria levels and rain, and the trail under the overhanging cliff is closed for falling rock.
  • Trucks with six or more wheels are barred on the switchbacks at the Pedernales crossing, after a run of truck and trailer rollovers there; there's a fine for violations.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Travis County Parks: Hamilton Pool Preserve.

Questions about this drive

How long is the drive on Hamilton Pool Road?

Hamilton Pool Road from Bee Cave past Hamilton Pool Preserve to Ranch Road 962 is 16.7 miles and takes about 25 minutes.

Do you need a reservation for Hamilton Pool?

Yes. Hamilton Pool Preserve, on Hamilton Pool Road, needs an online reservation before you arrive, every day from March to October and on weekends and holidays the rest of the year.

Can trucks and trailers use Hamilton Pool Road?

Trucks with six or more wheels are barred from the stretch of Hamilton Pool Road at the Pedernales River switchbacks, just west of the preserve; the rest of the road is open to them.

Can you swim at Hamilton Pool?

Sometimes. Travis County allows water access at Hamilton Pool from the beach when bacteria levels and rain allow, but swimming is never guaranteed with a reservation.

What you get in the app

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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Hamilton Pool Road, from Bee Cave to RR 962