Jacobs Well

## Overview Jacob's Well is a stunning natural artesian spring of remarkable geologic significance, located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country near Wimberley in Hays County. The spring emerges from one of the longest underwater cave systems in Texas — a vertical karst shaft that plunges roughly 140 feet before branching into a network of submerged passages that extend thousands of feet into the Edwards Plateau limestone. Jacob's Well pumps thousands of gallons of water per minute during periods of strong flow, serving as the headwaters of Cypress Creek, which winds through the charming town of Wimberley. The creek feeds the beloved Blue Hole Regional Park swimming area downstream, then joins the Blanco River, ultimately helping to recharge the Edwards Aquifer — one of the most important groundwater systems in Texas — before its waters eventually reach the estuaries along the Gulf of Mexico. The spring takes its name from the biblical Jacob's Well, a reference to the seemingly bottomless shaft of crystal-clear water that early settlers encountered. For generations, the site has drawn swimmers, divers, and nature lovers, though the underwater caves have also earned a sobering reputation among cave divers due to their complexity and the dangers they pose. The spring and surrounding preserve are now managed by Hays County as the Jacob's Well Natural Area, a 81-acre protected tract dedicated to conserving this irreplaceable water resource and the sensitive habitat around it. The water emerging from Jacob's Well has historically been prized for its clarity and cool temperature, which remains relatively constant year-round — typical of artesian springs fed by deep limestone aquifers. Visitors have long reported the water to be exceptionally clean and refreshing, though water quality can fluctuate with regional aquifer conditions and seasonal rainfall. ## Directions 1. From **Wimberley, TX**, head northwest on **Ranch Road 12 (RR 12)**. 2. Turn left (west) onto **Woodacre Drive**. 3. Follow Woodacre Drive to the **Jacob's Well Natural Area** entrance at **221 Woodacre Drive, Wimberley, TX 78676**. 4. Parking is available at the trailhead. From the parking area, a short trail (approximately 0.25 miles) leads downhill to the spring. **Note:** During peak season (typically May through September), swimming access requires a reservation through the Hays County Parks Department. The natural area is open year-round for hiking, but swimming slots fill up quickly — plan ahead. ## What to Expect Upon arrival at the Jacob's Well Natural Area, visitors follow a well-maintained trail that descends through typical Hill Country terrain — live oaks, juniper, and native grasses — before reaching the spring itself. The iconic circular opening of Jacob's Well sits in a shallow creek bed, its water an almost impossibly clear blue-green that reveals the dark vertical shaft below. During periods of healthy flow, water surges visibly from the opening, and the surrounding creek bed is lush and inviting. In drought conditions, flow can diminish significantly or even cease temporarily, so checking current conditions before visiting is worthwhile. Swimming is permitted in designated areas during the managed season, but diving into the cave system is strictly prohibited due to the extreme hazards — at least nine divers have lost their lives in the underwater passages over the decades. The natural area also features several miles of hiking trails with scenic overlooks of Cypress Creek and the surrounding Hill Country landscape. The GPS coordinates for Jacob's Well are **30.03564, -98.1281**. Facilities at the natural area include restrooms and a picnic area near the trailhead. There is typically a small entrance fee for day use.