Jacob's Well Tours & Events
Guided Tours of Jacob's Well Natural Area
Join park staff on a hike down to the Jacob's Well spring. As you walk, your guide will discuss the history, geology, and ecology of the area. You will learn how Jacob's Well was formed as well as what is being done to protect the spring.
Guided tours are offered every Saturday morning (when available) and are free to the public. Tours last approximately 1 hour, during which you will travel on compacted granite and natural surface trails. While we do not consider our tours to be strenuous, you will travel up and down several inclines and walk on rock ledges. At least two staircases exist along the tour route.
Please be aware of your own personal limitations. Good walking shoes are recommended.
Location: Jacob's Well Natural Area
Parking: Parking Lot C by the Nature Center Pavilion
Time: The guided tour takes place on Saturdays at 10am. Please arrive by 9:50am to get situated
Things to Bring: drinking water, good walking shoes, a hat
Please Note: Guided Tours of Jacob's Well Natural Area are offered on most Saturdays from September - June. (Weather Permitting)
Please see below for a list of upcoming tour dates.
Upcoming Tour Dates in 2026:
March 14th
March 21st
March 28th
April 4th
April 11th
Private Tours at Jacob's Well Natural Area
We are happy to offer private tours of Jacob's Well Natural Area when park staff are available. We require a minimum of 10 participants for private tours. Please contact us at least a minimum of 2-3 weeks in advance for all tour requests.
To request a private tour or for more information please email parks@hayscountytx.gov or call (512) 214-4593.
Upcoming Events at Jacob's Well Natural Area
Rainwater Harvesting Walk
Jacob's Well Natural Area, March 14th, 11am-12:30pm
Do you want to learn more about harvesting rainwater? Join Hays County Park staff on a walk around Jacob's Well Natural Area to see several of our rainwater harvesting systems at work. Jacob's Well Natural Area is home to a variety of rainwater harvesting systems that range from 65 gallons of storage, all the way up to 1500. During the walk, park staff will discuss the basic components of a rainwater harvesting system, benefits of harvesting rainwater, and provide resources for setting up your own rainwater harvesting system. Homeowner or renter, everyone is welcome!
Evening Explorations - Stars & Moths
Jacob's Well Natural Area, March 20th, 8pm-11pm
Explore the evening with park staff and friends at this After-Hours event! TXST Astronomy Club will be on-site with telescopes ready for a Star Party that will be out of this world! At the same time, Mothing Survey Stations will be set up around the park, allowing you to get a closer look at some of our nighttime natives.
Birding 101
Jacob's Well Natural Area, March 27th, 8am-9:30am
Calling all new and returning birders! No experience necessary! This walk around Jacob's Well Natural Area will introduce you to some of the basics of birding. On your walk, park staff will cover:
- How to set up and use binoculars
- The "clock" method for pointing out birds
- What to look for in terms of size, shape, and silhouette
- Apps that make birding easier
- Easy ID's, birds to start with
No binoculars necessary! Binoculars will be available to borrow during this event.
This event is free, but registration is required. Please email parks.education@hayscountytx.gov to register.
Rainwater Harvesting Walk
Jacob's Well Natural Area, April 10th, 11am-12:30pm
Do you want to learn more about harvesting rainwater? Join Hays County Park staff on a walk around Jacob's Well Natural Area to see several of our rainwater harvesting systems at work. Jacob's Well Natural Area is home to a variety of rainwater harvesting systems that range from 65 gallons of storage, all the way up to 1500. During the walk, park staff will discuss the basic components of a rainwater harvesting system, benefits of harvesting rainwater, and provide resources for setting up your own rainwater harvesting system. Homeowner or renter, everyone is welcome!
Birding 101
Jacob's Well Natural Area, April 17th, 8am-9:30am
Calling all new and returning birders! No experience necessary! This walk around Jacob's Well Natural Area will introduce you to some of the basics of birding. On your walk, park staff will cover:
- How to set up and use binoculars
- The "clock" method for pointing out birds
- What to look for in terms of size, shape, and silhouette
- Apps that make birding easier
- Easy ID's, birds to start with
No binoculars necessary! Binoculars will be available to borrow during this event.
This event is free, but registration is required. Please email parks.education@hayscountytx.gov to register.
City Nature Challenge (CNC)
Multiple Locations, April 24th-27th
City Nature Challenge is a worldwide event that connects people to participatory science through the iNaturalist app on a quest to increase awareness of biodiversity worldwide. Hays County is considered part of the Greater Austin challenge "hot spot" (and we try our hardest to beat San Antonio and Dallas by uploading more observations!) You can participate anywhere by taking photos of plants, animals, etc. (ideally, they are all WILD) and uploading them to iNaturalist. This yearly challenge has helped locate new and rare species!
CNC Events in Hays County Parks:
Jacob's Well Natural Area, April 24th, anytime during park hours (8am - 5:30pm)
Come and go as you please. We encourage visitors to walk the trails and interpretive gardens, visit the birding station (we need more bird photos). Please stay on the trail and practice leave no trace. Upload your observations to iNaturalist to participate.
Jacob's Well Natural Area, April 25th, 7:30pm-10pm
We will observe nighttime critters at our mothing stations, photograph, and upload what we find to iNaturalist! All skill levels are welcome. We encourage people to bring their own flashlight or headlamp, chair, and bug spray (sometimes mosquitoes are at the lights).
Birding 101
Jacob's Well Natural Area, May 15th, 8am-9:30am
Calling all new and returning birders! No experience necessary! This walk around Jacob's Well Natural Area will introduce you to some of the basics of birding. On your walk, park staff will cover:
- How to set up and use binoculars
- The "clock" method for pointing out birds
- What to look for in terms of size, shape, and silhouette
- Apps that make birding easier
- Easy ID's, birds to start with
No binoculars necessary! Binoculars will be available to borrow during this event.
This event is free, but registration is required. Please email
parks.education@hayscountytx.govto register.
Guided Audio Tour
This is a free guided audio tour of Jacob’s Well Natural Area. Five stops will guide visitors through the park while discussing the history, geology, and ecology of the area. Access the tour via the link above or by scanning one of the QR codes found throughout the park at each stop.
Nature Center Exhibits
Stop by the Nature Center, located by Parking Lot C. Here you will find SCUBA diving videos, historical photos, our massive fossil collection, wildlife exhibits, native plants, and more!
Open Hours: Saturdays 11am-3pm & Sundays 10am-3 pm
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, Geocaching, Birding, Scenic Photography, Interpretive Gardens, Children’s play area, Picnic areas, Labyrinth, Sundial, Loose Parts Play Area
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! Click on the brochure button below to view or download. There are two ways to geocache:
1. Type in the coordinates in a GPS/map OR
2. Download the Geocache app
