Hamilton Pool Preserve | Texas Travel Inspiration

 The Hamilton Pool Preserve was a spontaneous trip we took on our way to Austin, Texas. About forty minutes away from the capital of Texas you will find a selection of stunning parks with unique landscapes. The Hamilton Pool was something we did not plan on seeing during our visit, but when we discovered how close it was we knew we had to make it there in the morning before the crowds. It costs $15 per vehicle to get into the park. We were very lucky visiting on a chilly day at the end of January. During the warmer months, this park gets so busy that cars are turned away and there is a line to get into the preserve. We beat the crowds by arriving in the morning. By the time we were walking out the parking lot was getting pretty full. Your best bet is to visit early morning on a weekday when the park opens during the warmer busy season. There is a short hike to get down to the pool. The walk itself is not too difficult, but the walkways can be steep and rocky for visitors who have difficulty getting around. This hike is completely doable with small children. Before making it to the pool, we came across this part of the river with this vibrant hue and these trees, which looked like a scene right out of a Lord of the Rings film. It was too cold to swim during our visit, but the park is prepared with life vests. My good friend Sasha can find humor in everything. We had a good laugh from the sign with her life guard sweater. It was too bad it was too cold to jump in. Then suddenly, behind the tree line we could see the turquoise water of the pool!The photos are lovely, but it feels even more grand standing in front of the pool in person. This was one of the narrow walkways we had to squeeze through.If you look carefully, you will see fossil imprints in the rocks and the walls. After our exploration around this part of Mother Nature, we took off for Austin. I will always remember the memory of this magical place.