Is Jacob's Well worth visiting?

The other-worldly beauty of Jacob's Well—along with its year round water temperature of 68°F—makes it a popular swimming hole for hot Texas summers. Located within the 81 acres of Jacob's Well Natural Area in Wimberley, TX, this stunning spot is a must-see .

Do I need reservations for Jacobs Well?

There is no fee or reservation needed to enter the natural area . A fee is only required if you are swimming in Jacob's Well (by reservation only) during the summer.

Can I visit Jacobs well?

Visitor Information The most important thing to know about visiting Jacob's Well is that if you plan to swim you MUST make a reservation beforehand. This should be done online ahead of time. While Jacob's Well natural area does accept visitors without reservations , those visitors will not be able to swim.

How long is Jacobs Well hike?

Enjoy this 0.8-mile out-and-back trail near Wimberley, Texas. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 19 min to complete.

How much does it cost to get into Jacob's Well Natural Area?

There is no fee to park or enter the natural area . A fee is only required to swim in Jacob's Well. During peak hours the parking lot may reach capacity, at that time we will begin to turn away all visitors without reservations until there is more space available.

What is so special about Jacobs well?

By the 330s AD, the site had been identified as the place where Jesus held his conversation with the Samaritan woman, and was probably being used for Christian baptisms . By 384 AD, a cruciform church was built over the site, and is mentioned in the 4th century writings of Saint Jerome.

What should I bring to Jacobs well?

Plan your visit by reserving a swimming slot in advance, especially during weekends or holidays. Prepare for a short hike to the swimming hole— wear appropriate footwear and bring water , especially during the hot Texas summer. Be mindful of local rules: no glass containers, alcohol, pets, or drones.

Are there animals in Jacobs well?

Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia) .

Why was Jacob's well closed?

Jacob's Well closed in previous summers Harsh droughts brought the well to the brink of no return, damaging ecosystems and local economies . It also diminished some of the well's cultural relevance, Katherine Sturdivant, parks education coordinator for the Parks Department, told the American-Statesman in August.

How deep is Jacob's Well in Wimberley TX?

It is easy for the novice to accidentally stir up the silt so he cannot tell up from down or which way is in or out. The Jacob's Well Exploration Project, of which Gregg Tatum is the director, has mapped the cave system. It plunges to 140 feet at its deepest point; 14 stories underground, underwater.

What happened at Jacobs well?

The most renowned incident associated with Jacob's Well is the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman , as described in the Gospel of John (John 4:4-42). “Now he had to go through Samaria.

Does Jacobs well have a beach?

Jacobs Well swimming enclosure The enclosure has a beach area , and barbecue and picnic facilities have been provided in the adjacent park land.

How long is Jacobs Cave tour?

You will experience a safe, comfortable one-hour tour through Jacob's cave.

Jabobs Well Natural Area in Wimberley, Texas - A Visitwimberley Guide (2024)

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Gateway to Wimberley

The artesian spring, Jacob's Well, is a favorite swimming spot in Wimberley

and is also the head waters to Cypress Creek. The water is supplied to the spring by the Trinity aquifer, some 140 feet below the surface. Year round the water temperature is a constant 68(f) degrees. The cave system below is extremely dangerous to explore which has led to several SCUBA casualties in the past. Only permitted cave diving research professionals are now allowed to dive Jacob's Well. Their effort has charted the cave system to nearly 140 feet deep and almost a mile in length! Restoration efforts are constantly under way to improve and enhance the delicate ecosystem here.

1699 Mt. Sharp Road, Wimberley, TX
78676
512-214-4593
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512-214-4593

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History…

a perpetual artesian spring north of Wimberley that eroded a two mile thick layer of limestone and formed a pool that was, for many years, used as a swimming hole. The creek fed by this spring was initially known as Jacobs Well Creek, but is now known as Cypress Creek. It is the primary source of water to Cypress Creek which flows through the City of Woodcreek, and the City of Wimberley, through the famous Blue Hole Recreation Area and into the Blanco River. Jacob's Well is also believed to have the longest underwater cave in Texas. The first Texas pioneers (1850s) used the water supply to power a saw mill. In 1924, Jacob's Well was measured to have a flow of one hundred and seventy gallons per second, six hundred and forty liters per second. However, development in the Jacob's Well area has lowered the level of the Trinity Aquifer, significantly reducing the flow of water through the spring and it rarely reaches those previous flow rates. For first time in recorded history the spring ceased flowing in 2000, it stopped again in 2008 and once more in 2O11. Due to these events and other considerations, measures to address local water conservation and water quality are being developed. With the continued droughts the Texas Hill Country experiences along with continued development, the Trinity Aquifer and Jacob's Well are under extreme duress. Early warning indicators are needed to provide for the stability of not only the water, but for the life that exists in and around its waters. Monitoring of Jacob's Well is necessary for continued evaluation and protection.

The Cave…

Jacob's Well is an extensive underwater cave that is home to salamanders, crawfish, amphipods and isopods. Slightly acidic rainfall interacted with and eroded the limestone over millennia to form the cave system.

From the 12 ft. (4 m) opening in the creek bed the cave system continues downward vertically for ~23ft (7m) and then continues at an angle through a series of silted rooms separated by narrow restrictions, finally reaching a depth of 137 feet (40 m). The main cave is approximately 4500 ft. (1372 m) long.There are two main caves in the system, creatively called "A" and "B". Cave "B" is the smaller of the two, extending out from the main passageway and measuring roughly 1300 ft. (396 m) long.

Discover all that JWNA has to offer

Jacob's Well Natural Area is a Day Use Facility and open year long. The swimming season runs May through Labor Day
Reservations are required,
Book Here.

JWNA Home

the first Hays County - owned preserve includes 81.5 acres surrounding the Jacob's Well artesian spring. This ecological resource is the most significant and... Read More

The Nature Center

Serves as an educational center, containing historical prints, fossils, information, interactive displays and an area where Master Naturalist of Hays County... Read More

Trails f or all to enjoy

Access to the spring requires a hike of approximately 1900' (580m) from the parking area.. Sturdy foot wear is advised, strollers and coolers are not advised...Read More

JWNA News and Information

Updated timely news, hours of operation, guidelines, regulations, maps, contact information and what to expect when visiting...Read More

Things to Do in the area

Complementary information;parks, rivers, outfitters,facilities, vendors and other activities located within the general area.Read More

The Fatal Allure of Jacob's Well

Louie Bond tells of the history and the mystery of this natural wonder.On the surface, the scene is timeless. >Read More