Dripping Springs, Texas — gateway to the Texas Hill Country — features majestic views, beautiful sunsets, and rolling hills. The area is a great family getaway where you can relax, experience nature, and immerse yourself in the area’s fascinating history. Discover the following four family-friendly activities in and around Dripping Springs.
Hamilton Pool Preserve
Hamilton Pool Preserve is a gorgeous, must-see natural swimming hole created when the dome of an underground river collapsed to create a sunken grotto.
The quarter-mile hike to the pool is worth the effort to see the jade-green pool, 50-foot waterfall, and picture-perfect views, all contained in a 232-acre park.
Advance reservations are required every day through October and on weekends and holidays during November and December. Before you make the trip, call ahead. Swimming or hiking may be closed due to weather conditions. Parking at the site is $15, cash only.
Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead
Explore the rich history of Dripping Springs with a visit to the Dr. Pound Historical Farmstead, an 1854 Central Texas pioneer farm situated on an oak-shaded 5 acres of land. Dr. Pound was the first physician in the area, and the home was central to the community’s activity by serving as a medical office, hospital, church, schoolhouse, and social center.
The homestead’s artifacts date from 1854 to 1963 and include photographs, books, correspondence, medical supplies, textiles, and furniture. A national and state historic landmark, the house has been carefully restored to its period appearance.
The farmstead includes a beautifully renovated barn, smokehouse, windmill, garden areas, and a 500-year-old oak tree. The garden includes roses that Mrs. Pound brought from her native Mississippi. You can also see the hothouse where Dr. Pound cultivated medicinal herbs and his self-watering trough system for the farm animals.
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Relax, explore, and learn about the presidency of Lyndon B. Johnson at the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park in Stonewall.
The park is split into two locations. About a 30-minute drive west of Dripping Springs, the Johnson City Unit contains a visitor center, Johnson’s boyhood home, and the Johnson Settlement, a restored prairie containing his grandfather’s house and 19th-century farm buildings.
From the Johnson City Unit, travel about 14 miles west to the LBJ Ranch, which includes the president’s first school, his reconstructed birthplace, the Johnson Family Cemetery, and his modern ranch house, once known as the Texas White House. You can tour the ranch by car at your own pace. An interpretive audio CD is available at the bookstore.
Both locations feature ranger-led tours, educational, and interpretive programs.
Dripping Springs Ranch Park
Only 1 1/2 miles from Dripping Springs, this 110-acre park is set within a rolling landscape, seasonal creeks, ponds, and wide-open spaces. The park is a great family-friendly getaway featuring picnic areas, a playground, primitive camping, and RV sites. The trail system is ADA compliant.
The locations above are only a few examples of the family-friendly attractions in Dripping Springs. Book a hotel room in Dripping Springs and explore the back roads and byways of the breathtaking Texas Hill Country.
