The 12-foot diameter Jacob’s Well is the mouth to the second largest fully submerged cave in Texas. At one time the artesian spring was a powerful, 4- to -5-foot high, bubbling fountain flowing at 170 gallons per second as late as 1924. Due to drought and heavy use of the aquifer the current flow is zero. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

Jacob’s Well is dead. We are possibly the last generation to enjoy the cold water on a hot summer day of the iconic swimming hole outside of Wimberley. 

The well is actually a big hole in the limestone bedrock that serves as the headwaters of Cypress Creek that feeds Blue Hole Regional Park, another historic swimming hole downstream. The spring went dry in 2000 for the first time in history. It has been closed indefinitely to swimmers since June 2022 due to zero flow from the spring driven by severe drought and too many straws drawing water from the Trinity Aquifer.

The opening to the second-longest submerged cave in Texas that once gushed a fountain of water is now a sickening green pool clogged with algae. What was previously a natural landmark has become an ecological tragedy.   

The nature preserve surrounding the spring is still worth a visit. Hays County Parks Department has done an excellent job maintaining the 81-acre Jacob’s Well Natural Area with hiking trails, a nature center, and regular tours. Guided tours of the Natural Area are offered on Saturdays from September through June.

In 2013 Jacob’s Well was still a popular swimming hole feeding Cypress Creek and Blue Hole Regional Park. The well went dry in 2000 for the first time in history and then again in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, and 2021. Closed indefinitely to swimmers since June 2022. The land around the artesian spring has been protected since 1996 and a Hays County Nature Preserve since 2010. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

In March, Hays County opened the 175-acre Karst Canyon Preserve adjacent to Jacob’s Well. At one time the land was destined to become a subdivision with more than 1,000 residential lots. The karst landscape contains 2 miles of hiking trails, a bat cave, and golden-cheeked warbler habitat.

In karst formations, the soluble limestone becomes pockmarked by channels and caves that funnel water into the aquifer. The area is shaded by an Ashe juniper (mountain cedar) forest accented with gnarly live oaks over a thin layer of soil broken occasionally by areas of limestone and grasses. 

Jacob’s Well Natural Area is at 1699 Mt. Sharp Rd., less than 5 miles west of Wimberley. The park opens daily from 8am to 6pm. For information, go to hayscountytx.gov/jacobs-well-natural-area.

This year Hays County added the 175-acre Karst Canyon Preserve, which includes more than two miles of hiking trails adjacent to the 81-acre Jacob’s Well Natural Area. That additional land has porous rock formations that feed water to the aquifer. Credit: Gerald E. McLeod

1,800th in a series. Everywhere is a day trip from somewhere. Follow “Day Trips & Beyond,” a travel blog, at austinchronicle.com/day-trips.

This article appears in April 3 • 2026.

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Gerald E. McLeod joined the Chronicle staff in November 1980 as a graphic designer. In April 1991 he began writing the “Day Trips” column. Besides the weekly travel column, he contributed “101 Swimming Holes,” “Guide to Central Texas Barbecue,” and “Guide to the Texas Hill Country.” His first 200 columns have been published in Day Trips Vol. I and Day Trips Vol. II.