Wimberley Rivers and Streams
Recreation in and on the Water in Wimberley, Texas
Information and Useful Links
Planning a float, camping trip, or just want to sit by the peaceful river in some undisturbed spot?
Finding a place to enjoy the water isn't always easy.
Below is information to help you have a great time without hassle.
The Village of Wimberley has acquired Blue Hole, where a swimming area is scheduled for public access on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. It's always a good idea to call first (512-847-0025) before making plans for swimming there. (Click here for more about that.)
Hays County acquired Jacobs Well and the surrounding area, allowing for the creation of JWNA - Jacobs Well Natural Area. Swimming is available May through September, reservations are necessary. It's always a good idea to call first (512-214-4593) since heavy rains and other natural events may temporarily close swimming access. (Click here for more about JWNA.)
Private access, through private camps or private property with landowner permission, can be another way to enjoy the water. If a landowner says "yes," naturally you'd remember to treat the property as your own. It goes without saying that under no circumstances should fires be built, trash left behind, or unsanitary waste management be practiced. Respect for wildlife is, we hope, a given.
If camping, kyaking and fishing are in your plans a short drive of ~20 miles west will take you to Rebecca Creek Campgrounds 830-222-6003 at the confluence of two streams, Rebecca Creek and Shchultz Creek that flow to the Guadalupe River, which in turn feeds into Canyon Lake. Pitch a tent, sleep under the stars, pull in your camper or RV and enjoy the water ways, outdoor cooking pits, kayak/tube rentals and adjacent boat ramp.
Map
If you're a bit dazed and confused at this point concerning what the law specifically states about river access in Texas, you're certainly not alone. For information about navigability definitions and access, click here to view a good resource of information (Overview of Texas Stream Navigation Law). For instance, consider this brief excerpt from this document:
"Access must usually be obtained through the use of public property. The typical access may be from the right-of-way of a public road that crosses the stream, through a publicly-owned boat launch area, or from some other public land (a park, for example) adjacent to the stream. There is no general right to cross private property to get to a navigable stream. There are a number of privately-owned parks or campgrounds where members of the public may have access to a navigable stream by paying a small fee to the landowner. If the private landowner forbids access, an attempt to use the private land would be a trespass.
State law prohibits parking on a highway bridge and generally forbids (with certain exceptions) parking in the main traveled part of a highway." (1)
For more information as it becomes available, return often to VisitWimberley.com to check out new listings in Lodging, or Things to Do in Wimberley, offering camping options or river access.
In summary, check before entering at any point in a river or stream about which you may be uncertain. There are a few old timers round about who may not hesitate to shoot first and ask questions later, and we want you to survive to enjoy many wonderful river experiences here!
Best wishes for happy floating, great fishing, relaxing wading, and peaceful moments sitting riverside, watching the birds!
Click on the heron for more about Birds of Wimberley!
*Think "eight feet," but we suggest assuming nothing, depending upon landowner's attitudes.
(1) COMPILED BY JOE RIDDELL ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS