Pedernales Falls: swimming rules, fee and day passes
Pedernales Falls is a wide run of stepped limestone ledges in Pedernales Falls State Park, a short walk from the main overlook trail, and swimming isn't allowed at the falls themselves because of flash-flood risk. Entry costs $6 per person 13 and up, and the park recommends booking a day pass ahead rather than counting on a walk-up spot. It sits in the Hill Country cluster of our waterfalls in Texas guide, west of Austin; for other states, start from the waterfalls near me map.
Fact box
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 30.340°N, 98.255°W, Blanco County, per USGS GNIS (GNIS-1343795) |
| Falls type | Stepped limestone ledges rather than a single drop |
| Access | Short walk from the main overlook trail |
| Fee | $6 per person, ages 13 and up; free for kids 12 and under |
| Swimming | Banned at the falls due to flash-flood risk; a designated swim area sits downstream, between Trammell's Crossing and the youth camping area |
| Legal status | Public, Pedernales Falls State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife) |
| Reservations | Recommended, not required |
Getting there and the walk to the falls
Pedernales Falls sits a short walk off the park's main overlook trail, where the Pedernales River spreads across a series of limestone ledges instead of dropping in one clean fall. Day entry costs $6 per person 13 and older, free for kids 12 and under (Texas Parks and Wildlife, Pedernales Falls entrance fees). Reservations aren't required, but the park's own alerts page recommends them (Texas Parks and Wildlife, Pedernales Falls State Park alerts, checked September 2026), and day passes at the Hill Country state parks, Pedernales included, run out on busy spring and summer weekends.
The same alerts page, as of September 2026, listed a burn ban in effect since late August, a water-and-electric campground closure for the month of October 2026 and again in January and February 2027, and a handful of scheduled hunt dates in late fall and winter on which the park stays closed to day visitors until 2 p.m.
Why you can't swim at the falls
Texas Parks and Wildlife puts it plainly: "For your safety, we do not allow swimming and wading in the Pedernales Falls area." The park's own warning explains why: the river "can rise from a placid stream to a raging torrent in a few minutes," from rain falling miles upstream, even under a clear sky at the falls (Texas Parks and Wildlife, Pedernales Falls State Park). The park keeps a separate, designated swim area downstream instead, between Trammell's Crossing and the youth camping area, and describes the way in as a strenuous quarter-mile or longer hike with steep rock stairs and no handrail. The same river feeds that swim area, so the flash-flood rule applies there too; our swimming hole safety guide covers depth, current and water quality for river swimming like this.
How this guide was researched
This page was compiled from Texas Parks and Wildlife's official pages for Pedernales Falls State Park, including its entrance fees and current alerts. We haven't visited this site ourselves. Fees, closures and hunt dates are set by the park and can change; verify current conditions before you go. Last checked September 2026.
FAQ
Can you swim at Pedernales Falls?
Not at the falls themselves; swimming and wading are banned there because of flash-flood risk. The park has a separate designated swim area downstream, between Trammell's Crossing and the youth camping area.
How much does it cost to visit Pedernales Falls?
$6 per person for ages 13 and up; kids 12 and under get in free.
Do you need a reservation for Pedernales Falls?
Not strictly, but the park recommends booking a day pass ahead, since Hill Country state parks can sell out on busy spring and summer weekends.
Why is swimming banned at Pedernales Falls?
Flash floods. Storms miles upstream can turn a calm stretch of the Pedernales River into a dangerous flood in minutes, even when it looks clear and dry right at the falls.
Is there camping at Pedernales Falls State Park?
Yes, though the water-and-electric campground is scheduled to close for the month of October 2026 and again in January–February 2027; check current alerts before planning a camping trip.
We haven't visited these places ourselves, and every page says so rather than implying otherwise. Details are compiled from public land-manager, USGS and NOAA sources and cross-checked where possible; conditions, access rules and fees change without notice, so confirm with the managing agency before you go. Page last checked September 2026. Read our full methodology.