Come Out and Play: Best Outdoor Attractions Around Dripping Springs

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Hamilton Pool Preserve

Image via Flickr by trektexas

Visit a famed Dripping Springs highlight by hiking along the Hamilton Pool Preserve trails by the creek or taking a swim in the stunning turquoise pools during times when the water quality meets a safe standard. The 45-foot waterfall cavern is an extraordinary attraction your family is sure to love.

If you’d like to stay near the Hamilton Pool Preserve, you’ll discover several hotel accommodations which all make excellent places to stay in the area.

Reimers Ranch Park

Dripping Springs opportunities are endless at Reimers Ranch Park, and you’re sure to find something for everyone. From top-rate rock climbing to an astronomical observatory and monthly bird-watching tours, the ranch offers an enlightening and calming atmosphere.

Fees are $10 per vehicle, but credit cards are not accepted.

While camping is not allowed at the ranch, Pace Bend Park in Spicewood is an alternative known for its impressive shoreline and scenic views.

Pedernales Falls State Park

Highlights of the 5,212-acre park in Johnson City include geocaching (searching for boxes filled with tradable items by GPS location), rugged horseback riding, mountain biking, and tubing, although the possibilities are endless.

Fees are $6 for 13 years and older, and free for children younger than 12.

Austin Zoo

Located 12.4 miles away from Dripping Springs, the Austin Zoo is a must-visit place for all animal lovers. The zoo hosts regular activities such as daily training for cougar and bear cubs, summer camps, and animal-painting exhibits.

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center

Be introduced to the full beauty near Dripping Springs with a guided weekend canyon tour. Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center in Round Mountain provides a one-of-a-kind experience sure to thrill nature lovers, as well as offer a relaxing setting ideal for unwinding after a week of vacationing.

Fees are $15 per adult and $7 per child. For large groups of 10 or more, schedule your tour time before visiting; walk-ins are welcome.

Solstice Outdoors

Solstice Outdoors has been described by reviewers as “easy to miss but worth the stop” and “an art gallery for plants,” and nearly every visitor agrees. The gift shop is perfect for finding beautiful souvenirs and gifts for friends and family back home. The staff is friendly and happy to explain anything surrounding botanical life in Dripping Springs, so if you’d like to learn more about nature, be sure to visit the gardens.

Texas Hill Country Olive Co.

For a different taste of the Dripping Hills spirit, take advantage of the Texas Hill Country Olive Co. The venue features a Tuscan-inspired mill house, a state-of-the-art olive press, and a large tasting room reminiscent of one you’d see in Italy.

Fees are $6 for a guided tour of the orchard and attractions. You’ll learn about the history and process of making olive oil from the professionals, as well as taste some of Texas’s finest olive oil.

If you’re interested in visiting the above destinations, look for camps or resorts around the area. You’ll find copious options sure to provide the relaxation needed after a day of adventure.