Things to Do
Park Hours
Open Hours: 8am - 6pm, Daily, No Entrance after 5:30pm
All Hays County parks/natural areas will be closed to the public on the following dates:
April 20th, 2025 (Easter Day)
November 27th, 2025 (Thanksgiving Day)
December 25th, 2025 (Christmas Day)
January 1st, 2026 (New Years Day)
Swimming
Swimming is not permitted at this time (Updated 2025).
Please note: Jacob's Well is normally open for swimming from May 1–September 30 by online reservation only. Swimming in Jacob's Well has not been permitted since June 2022, due to low water levels/unsafe water conditions.
Hiking
Jacob's Well Natural Area offers approximately 3 miles of hiking trails. Hiking is free to the public and no reservations are needed.
The main trail to Jacob's Well is approximately 0.25 miles in length. A majority of the trail surface is compacted granite, however, a portion of the trail is limestone bedrock. In addition, there are two or three staircases to traverse along the way.
Open Hours: 8am - 5:30pm, Daily
Geocaching
Geocaching is a real world “treasure hunt” that uses GPS coordinates to locate various sized hidden containers. Each container has a log to sign and there are often trinkets inside! Caches can be as small as a bison tube or bigger than a five-gallon bucket, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled.
Field Trips
Available year-round upon request
Jacob’s Well Natural Area is happy to host school field trips, scout trips, home school groups and other groups. Please contact us for more information about tours, trips, or other educational visits to Jacob’s Well Natural Area. If you are interested in a field trip for your school or organization, please fill out this form and email it to Katherine.sturdivant@hayscountytx.gov at the Hays County Parks Department.
Additional Amenities
Hiking Trails, Birding, Scenic Photography, Children’s play area, Picnic areas, Labyrinth, Sundial, Loose Parts Play Area
Helpful Tips
- Bring plenty of water.
- Know your limits – temperatures often reach 95 to 100°F over the summer months.
- Accommodations can be provided to those who need assistance reaching the well. Please let an employee know upon arrival if you require this extra assistance.
- Wear appropriate footwear – there will be a 15-minute hike to Jacob’s Well from the parking lot and the area surrounding the well can be steep and slippery.
- The walk down to Jacob’s Well is not stroller friendly and does involve several sets of stairs – you may want to consider leaving strollers in the car.
- Jacob’s Well Natural Area does not provide any food, but picnics are welcome. Please leave the glass and alcohol at home!
- Picnic tables are located throughout the park.
- Due to the sensitive nature of the park, BBQ grills are not permitted.
- Our parking lot is small so please consider carpooling if you are coming with a large group.
- Stick to the trails - help us preserve habitat and limit encounters with wildlife by staying on marked trails whenever possible.
