Pedernales Falls State Park: 11 Facts You Should Know!

Pedernales Falls State Park in Texas is a popular holiday destination with plenty of activities to enjoy; 

• The park 6 miles of riverfront to do camping, horse racing, hiking, and off-road bicycling.
• The park provides variety of things  such as geocaching, bird watching, and picnicking, as well as photography views of the white cliffs and sandy beaches along the riverbed.
• The Texas state park Pedernales Falls is close to Johnson City.

History and Facts

• In Blanco County, Texas, there is a 5,212-acre park called Pedernales Falls State Park.  When the state of Texas bought it in 1970, it was once designated as the Circle Bar Ranch.
• In 1971, the park became a public space. The park is located along the Pedernales River’s banks and has traditionally been a place where people have lived.
• Attractions available to visitors include camping, trekking, swimming, and catching fish. The park is situated close to Johnson City.
• The park is in Blanco County, which once housed slaves.

Location

• Address: 2585 Park Rd 6026
• City: Johnson City
• Country:  United States
• Pincode: 78636

Pedernales Falls State Park Map

The Pennsylvanian Limestone and Cretaceous Conglomerate, Tilted are among the geological characteristics in the park, and the Pedernales River descends around 50 feet in elevation over 3,000 feet at the cascades.

Weather Conditions

• The  high temperature is 65 and 75 °F, and the average temperature is between 40 and 55 °F.

Wind Range: 

Rainfall Range:

Snow Days:

Flora & Fauna

A wide range of plants and animals can be found at Pedernales Falls State Park near Johnson City, Texas. 

Plants:

•  Ash
• Cypress and 
• Buttonbush on the terrace

Animals:

• White-tailed deer
•  Rabbits
• Opossums
• Coyotes
• Armadillos
• Skunks and raccoons

Activities

• Paddling :Tube, canoe or kayak the river. Put in at the swimming area or Trammell’s Crossing Trail. For your safety, we do not allow put-ins or take-outs in the Pedernales Falls area.
• Hiking: The 1.8-mile Pedernales Falls Trail System is the park’s crowning achievement and is where you can observe the Pedernales River meandering among the chiseled rocks. 

They range in length and difficulty. Definitely recommend the following trails:

• Horse Riding: Ride your horse down a 10-mile-long, difficult trail. The trail requires previous experience for passengers because it is fairly rough and has several steep slopes.
• At Pedernales Waterfall, swimming: You must go 0.25 miles through difficult, rocky steps in order to get to Pedernales Falls.
• Camping:The main campground at Pedernales Falls State Park contains 69 tent sites with electricity. 

• Fees –  $20/night 
• Accomdate –  8 people at a time 
• There are other remote camping areas in the park that call for a 2-mile trek. 
• Fees –  $10/night 
• Accomdate –  4 people at a time

1. Campsites with Electricity: ($20/Nightly + Daily entry fees)

• Number of Sites: 69
•  People per Site: 8
• Picnic table
• Water hookup
• 30 amp hookup
• Lantern post
• Shower
• Fire ring with grill
• Restrooms with showers nearby

2. Primitive Campsites (Hike-in): ($10/Nightly + Daily entry fees)

• People per Site: 4 
• Miles to Facility: 2.0
• Two-mile minimum hike to this area.
• Ground fires prohibited
• Chemical toilets
• No pets

• Cycling offers beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean along the park’s bike route, which hugs the shore. To explore the park, you can either use your own bicycle or hire one nearby.
• Using a canoe, paddle, or tube to paddle along the riverbed. Put in at the swimming area or the Trammell’s Crossing Trail. For your safety, we do not allow put-ins or take-outs near Pedernales Falls.
• Equestrian riding: Take your horse on a 10-mile-long difficult trail. The trail requires previous riding experience because it is fairly rough and has several steep slopes.

Fooding

There aren’t many restaurants close by when you’re in Pedernales Falls, but if you drive a little distance, you can discover lots of options.

• There are long lines of customers waiting to order from Johnson City’s renowned Fat Boy Burgers, which serves up mouthwatering alternatives.
• A barbecue restaurant in Johnson City that is adjacent to Pedernales Falls is called Ronnie’s Ice House Barbecue.
• Pecan Street Brewery serves artisan beer, pizza, salads, burgers, and Southern fare in Johnson City Square.
• Make a brief stop at Johnson City Coffee Company when it’s time to drink some coffee before getting back on the road.
• Tillie’s: This restaurant, which serves innovative American food in a wonderful Vietnam-spired structure with gorgeous furnishings and a terrace, is situated near Dripping Wells, at Camp Lucy, and is 16 miles from Pedernales Falls.
• The greatest barbecue in Texas can be found at Salt Lick, which is 30 miles from the park in Driftwood. Please be aware that waiting times sometimes exceed an hour.

Here are some of the fooding options based on ratings:

• Pecan Street Brewing

#1 of 20 Restaurants in Johnson City

106 E Pecan Street

9.4 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

• Bryan’s on 290

#2 of 20 Restaurants in Johnson City

300 E Main St

9.3 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

• Lady Bird Lane Cafe

#3 of 20 Restaurants in Johnson City

101 S Ladybird Ln Located inside the Hill Country Science Mill

9.5 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

• El Charro Restaurant

#4 of 20 Restaurants in Johnson City

 s502 S US Highway 281

8.8 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

Lodging

• Hotels and cottages are among the nearby lodging choices available at Pedernales Falls State Park. The Lakeway Resort & Spa, Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, and La Quinta Hotel & Suites by Wyndham Marble Falls are a few well-known hotels close to the park. 
• Hill Country Casitas, Lucky Arrow Retreat Dripping Springs, and Camp Lucy are additional choices. For hotels close to the park, Travelocity shows rates between $89 and $1,110 per night, and HomeToGo has cabin rentals nearby.

Here are some of the closest lodging options based on ratings:

• Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa

4064 W US Highway 290, Johnson City, TX 78636-5432

13.7 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

#1 Best Value of 1,072 places to stay in Johnson City

• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Marble Falls

501 Hwy 2147 W, Marble Falls, TX 78654

17.6 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

#2 Best Value of 1,072 places to stay in Johnson City

•  Blanco River Hotel

2218 N US Highway 281, Blanco, TX 78606-5356

16.5 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

#3 Best Value of 1,072 places to stay in Johnson City

• Lakeway Resort & Spa

101 Lakeway Dr, Lakeway, TX 78734-4327

16.8 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

#4 Best Value of 1,072 places to stay in Johnson City

• Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marble Falls, an IHG Hotel

714 Corazon, Marble Falls, TX 78654-6276

17.3 miles from Pedernales Falls State Park

#5 Best Value of 1,072 places to stay in Johnson City

Facilities

FEE:

$6/day/per person 

Open:

8:00 AM to 10:00 PM. .

RENTAL INFORMATION:

No Tube or Equipment Rentals Available.

PARK PHONE NUMBER: 830-868-7304

EMAIL ADDRESS: Pedernales.Falls@tpwd.texas.gov.

• Nine kilometres of paths are available for biking or hiking. Onion Creek Hike and Bike Path is 2.8 miles long and features a hard surface that is suitable for strollers and road cyclists. You can reserve an all-terrain wheelchair for usage in the park by sending us an email.
• To observe where the first visitors camped, take the Rock Shelter Path (reserved for hikers).
• Fishing in Williamson or Onion Rivers and streams. Throughout Texas state parks, you can squid from the shore without a license.
• Amphitheater
• Biking – Mountain
• Biking – Surfaced Roads/Trails
• Bird Watching
• Chemical Toilet
• Dump Station
• Fishing
• Headquarters/Ranger Station
• Hiking
• Horse Facilities
• Horseback Riding
• Hot Showers
• Paddling

• Park Store
• Parking
• Picnic Area
• Restrooms
• Scenic Overlook
• Swimming – River
• Trails – Hiking
• Trails – Horse
• Trails – Mountain Biking
• Trails – Nature/Interpretive
• Tubing
• Wildlife Viewing

Best Time to Visit

Austin’s best months are September through November, with daytime highs in the 70s and 80s, and winter is dry and moderate.

Sightseeing

• Ten miles to the west of the park, in Johnson City, are museums, art exhibitions, and parks. Explore the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site as well as the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
• 13 miles to the southwest, at Dripping Springs, are wineries, distilleries, and art exhibitions.
• You may stop by Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, a location that chronicles the life of the 36th president of the United States, after departing Pedernales Falls. You may gain a general understanding of the president’s life narrative by visiting this historical location, from his birth through his ultimate burial place on LBJ Ranch (admission is free).
• 25 km apart is Dripping Springs, where you may explore Hamilton Pool and the lovely winery Duchman Family Estate. With enough time, visit Salt Lick in Dripping Springs for some of the greatest Texas barbecue (although the turnaround time can be upwards of an hour).

Reservations

• Visitors can use reserveamerica.com or the Texas Wildlife and Parks department’s web page to book a spot at Pedernales Falls State Park. 
• Overnight guests with bookings on reserveamerica.com who plan to arrive after 4:30 pm must call the office at 830-868-7304 before 4:30 pm on the day of their anticipated arrival.
• DAY USE FEE:

$6 per day, per person 13 and older.

Rules for Pets

Pets are allowed in Pedernales Falls State Park, but they are restricted inside the building.

Specific Rule or Restriction

• It is advised to abide by the park’s general rules, which include staying on designated trails, not disturbing the wildlife or flora, and throwing rubbish away properly.
• To prevent flames and ground scarring, campfires are only allowed in specified rings.
• Collecting
• Take just pictures and memories. Plucking plants, animals, is prohibited by both federal and state law. Leave artifacts where they are and notify park staff of their whereabouts to preserve the history for future generations.
• Drones In two situations, drones are permitted in state parks:
• Martin Dies, Jr. state park and San Angelo state park both have defined drone zones.
• for use in other parks during filming. A filming license from the park is required.
• Firewood
• Dead wood that has been cut down provides the soil with vital nutrients as well as food and shelter for wildlife. Don’t go gathering firewood, please.
• Geocaching
• We must be aware of your caches. Before putting up geocaches, kindly consult with park headquarters.
• Swimming
• Only swim in the approved areas; there aren’t any lifeguards on duty. Children and anyone who have trouble swimming should wear personal flotation devices. Glass containers and pets are not permitted in bathing areas. Pets may feel scared by outsiders and may produce unclean circumstances. Serious injuries can result from broken glass. Read these safety suggestions when swimming.
• Camp in a tent
• In order to conserve delicate flora and reduce soil compaction, kindly camp only on approved camp pads or sites.
• Wastewater
• Only certified disposal sites are permitted to dump wastewater (grey and black). Wastewater contains bacteria that can cause serious illnesses to spread and food scraps that may draw pest animals like fire ants.

Ritika Vaishnav

Greetings Everyone!
I’m Ritika Vaishnav a freelance content writer with a passion for creating educational and engaging content on a wide range of topics. I love to travel and write about it.