Pedernales Falls
- Hike
- 0.25 mi each way
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
Pedernales Falls is a waterfall on Pedernales River in Blanco County, Texas. Reaching it is a 0.25 mi hike each way. Flow season is not on file yet.
Closures and warnings
No swimming or wading in the Pedernales Falls area itself. River can rise from placid to torrent in minutes; leave if water rises or turns muddy. Swim-area access is a strenuous 1/4-mile hike with steep rock stairs and no handrail. As of September 28, 2026.
The falls
| Flow note | TPWD: swimming and wading not allowed in the Pedernales Falls area; designated swim access is elsewhere via a strenuous hike. |
|---|
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | River |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Current | Strong |
Access
| Hike | 0.25 mi each way |
|---|---|
| Road | Paved |
| Parking | Park day-use parking; day passes available online. |
| Fee | $6 per person ages 13+; children 12 and under free |
| Hours | Open daily; gate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Day passes available online; recommended on busy days |
| Managed by | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (Pedernales Falls State Park) |
Rules
| Camping | Allowed |
|---|
Common questions
Common questions
Is Pedernales Falls open?
No swimming or wading in the Pedernales Falls area itself. River can rise from placid to torrent in minutes; leave if water rises or turns muddy. Swim-area access is a strenuous 1/4-mile hike with steep rock stairs and no handrail. As of September 28, 2026. Hours: Open daily; gate 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Can you swim at Pedernales Falls?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Pedernales Falls. A strong current is reported here, use caution.
How long is the hike to Pedernales Falls?
It's a 0.25 mi hike each way. The road in is paved. Parking: Park day-use parking; day passes available online.
Do you need a reservation for Pedernales Falls?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Day passes available online; recommended on busy days.
Is there a fee at Pedernales Falls?
The fee is $6 per person ages 13+; children 12 and under free.
When is Pedernales Falls flowing?
TPWD: swimming and wading not allowed in the Pedernales Falls area; designated swim access is elsewhere via a strenuous hike.
What are the rules at Pedernales Falls?
Camping is allowed.
Nearby
Public land
Pedernales Falls is inside Pedernales Falls State Park .
Sources
3
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName, access.hikeDistanceMi / hikeDistanceBasis / hazardNote, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterfall.flowNote, rules.camping / access.roadSurface, swimmerNotes.waterType / entryType / current)
- https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls/fees-facilities/entrance-fees (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee, access.permitRequired / reservationWindow)
- https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/pedernales-falls-state-park/TX/1200068/134200/day-pass-booking (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.hours)
More: Texas waterfalls