Wimberley, a charming town about 50 minutes from Austin, is a Texas Hill Country gem. This town of about 3,000 people may be small, but is full of fun activities for couples and families. There are dreamy swimming holes, glamping locations with scenic views, great food and more. Wimberley is perfect for a long weekend escape and a must stop on an epic Hill Country road trip. This guide shares some of the best things to do in Wimberley.
When to Visit Wimberley
Wimberley is beautiful to visit year round! In the summer, you can take advantage of swimming holes to beat the Texas heat. In the Spring, you can enjoy Texas wildflowers. In the winter, you can take advantage of winter events such as the holiday Market Days event. Personally, I think April, May and September are the best times because you'll have less crowds than the summer months but it still may be hot enough to swim.
Where to Glamp Near Wimberley
When it comes to where to stay in Wimberley, I highly recommend glamping! There are multiple properties in and around Wimberley that offer glamping. Some are quite luxurious! If you are interested in a grand escape from everyday life, check out Collective Hill Country. This retreat location offers wellness activities and gorgeous elevated tents equipped with private decks. It also has activities like archery, yoga and guided meditation. The location is pricey but would make for an amazing experience.
Another unique and luxurious place to glamp is at Yurtopia Wimberley. This property has a collection of several yurts on elevated platforms in the woods. Each one has all of the comforts of a hotel, plus a hot tub, firepit and rooftop deck. Yurtopia is also quite pricey but is a beautiful space for a romantic getaway.
I stayed in a much more affordable glamping option - inside an Airstream! Basecamp and Happy Camper are two neighboring Airstreams on Airbnb. I stayed in Basecamp.
The airstream was thoughtfully decorated with geometric patterned pillows and blankets, turquoise appliances and a rainbow throw blanket. The inside was beautiful, but the outside portion was extra special. There is a hot tub, hanging hammock chairs, a grill, a firepit and hanging lights.
The property is very secluded so you’ll feel like you’re in your own little oasis while just being a few minutes from town. It’s also only about five minutes from Jacob’s Well! I loved my stay here and highly recommend it for couples that want a unique accommodation without breaking the bank.
One of these unique and beautiful glamping options make for the perfect base for a romantic getaway to Wimberley.
Outdoor Activities in Wimberley
Jacob's Well
Unfortunately, as of July 2022, Jacob's Well is closed to swimming for the foreseeable future. This is due to high bacteria levels, other pollutants and poor visibility. You can still visit on foot and see the unique watering-hole up close.
In my opinion, a visit to Jacob’s Well is the best thing to do in Wimberley! This iconic swimming hole has a small surface area but extends about 140 feet deep.
It is the second-largest fully-submerged cave in Texas and an artesian spring that releases thousands of gallons of water a day. The inner cavern extends to a length of over 4,000 feet so there is a lot going on beneath the surface.
This spring was revered by Native American (most prominently the Tonkawa, Jumano and the Comanche) people long before Western settlers encountered the destination in the 1850’s. In the late 1900’s, at least eight people died while diving into the depths of the cave system. Today, scuba diving has been closed off to everyone except for scientific researchers with proper permits.
You can hike to Jacob’s Well and see the spring at any time of year. The hike is an easy, but rocky, 0.5 mile hike from the parking area.
You’ll know you’re almost to the Jacob’s Well park entrance when you see a giant signpost with arrows pointing in all directions. I believe each name is a resident in Wimberley.
Blue Hole Regional Park
Blue Hole Regional Park offers another gorgeous place for swimming in Wimberley and has much more space to spread out than at Jacob’s Well. Here you can swim in clear blue water in an area framed by shady cypress trees.
While Blue Hole is a few miles from Jacob’s Well, it is fed by the spring! The water stays a moderate 75 degrees year round and you can enter the water via ladders or on a rope swing.
Blue Hole is located in a 126-acre park that also includes hiking trails and picnic areas. A reservation is required for swimming from May - September. It costs $12 for adults and $6 for children to enter and you will reserve 4 hour time slots. Blue Hole allows in many more people than Jacob’s Well, but weekends still tend to fill up a few weeks in advance.
I recommend bringing a blanket and picnic and relaxing at Blue Hole for several hours. The shade and cool water make this a great outdoor spot to escape the Texas heat. If you visit in an off season where swimming isn’t available, you can still walk from the parking lot and see the beautiful swimming area.
Old Baldy
Old Baldy is a great spot for hiking near Wimberley. It’s a hill where you can ascend up 218 steps for 360 views of the Wimberley Valley. The climb is only about 0.1 miles in distance and doable for most abilities.
The area surrounding the viewpoint is residential with limited parking so be respectful when visiting and go early to have it to yourself. At the top, you’ll be able to see for miles in all directions of the Wimberley Valley.
As you ascend up the steps to Old Baldy, painted rocks encourage you to keep going with inspiring quotes.
Cypress Creek Nature Preserve
Cypress Creek is a beautiful park located directly next to Wimberley Square. There is a walking trail along the creek that connects over to Blue Hole Regional Park. Along the way, there are beautiful views of the creek and cypress trees.
Canyon Lake
Canyon Lake is just about 25 minutes outside of Wimberley and known for it’s great water recreation. It’s fed by the Guadalupe River and one of the most beautiful lakes in Texas Hill Country. There are eight parks surrounding the lake where people can picnic, camp or swim. I recommend visiting the Overlook Park where you can walk across the dam and get a great viewpoint of the lake. You can also reach a beach here for swimming.
After you’ve done some swimming or exploring, visit nearby Kafekali & Bakery for ice cream, coffee and bakery treats. On your way between Canyon Lake and Wimberley, also make a stop at the Devil’s Backbone Overlook. This overlook has great views of the area and a fence with memorabilia honoring loved ones.
Food and Drink in Wimberley
Shady Llama
The Shady Llama is a lively beer and wine garden located just north of Wimberley. There are views of Texas Hill Country and six llamas that you can see up close and even feed! At the bar, there is a huge selection of locally sourced beer and wine, plus a food truck behind the bar.
When I visited, we were seated in lawn chairs facing a great view of distant hills. They have a disclaimer that you might not always see the llamas, but they were active and near the fence during my visit!
Community Pizza and Beer Garden
Community Pizza and Beer Garden is a popular spot located in downtown Wimberley. They serve pizza, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. I loved the avocado and goat cheese bruschetta appetizer! The atmosphere is lively with both indoor and outdoor seating and sometimes live music. If you visit on a Friday or Saturday night, expect to wait for your table.
Sugar Shack Bakery
Sugar Shack Bakery has been in operation since 1996 and is the perfect local cafe to grab a breakfast pastry and coffee. They serve all kinds of breakfast items and treats, from a sunrise hash to french toast to pies and cakes. The options are so vast that you’ll have a difficult time deciding. I enjoyed a savory croissant and fresh coffee.
The Leaning Pear
The Leaning Pear serves Hill-Country inspired cuisine using local ingredients. The restaurant’s original location opened in 2006 but they built the current location in 2013. The building is modern but incorporates rustic details.
There is indoor and outdoor seating, and a screened-in patio known as the treehouse, for when it is a little too hot or cold to be outside. The outdoor deck has a great view of Cypress Creek and a green meadow where guests can take a walk. I ordered the fried avocado tostada and it was delicious.
Wimberley Cafe
Centrally located in Wimberley Square, Wimberley Cafe feels very much like a diner. One thing you’ll notice right away is a wall of mugs with the names of locals, so that they can be served their coffee or beverage in the same cup during each visit. The restaurant serves everything from salads, burgers, quesadillas and queso to fried catfish. I recommend trying the brussel sprouts, the avocado melt and the rhubarb pie.
Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Patio
Casa Vindemia Wine & Beer Patio is the perfect place to visit if you love wine. The staff is very knowledgeable and will help curate your wine selection. In the summertime, they also offer refreshing frozen sangria. Enjoy a drink on the patio and purchase a few bottles to take home.
Shopping in Wimberley
Market Days
If you visit Wimberley on the first Saturday of the summer or fall, be sure to stop by the Wimberley Market Days. The market has 490 booths that sell all of the gifts and treasures you can imagine.
This is the largest market in Texas Hill Country and you’ll find decor, clothing, jewelry, crafts and much more. There are food concessions serving BBQ and burgers, live music and even a golf cart service to transport large items from booths to your car. Parking is a $5 donation but the actual market is free to enter.
Wimberley Square
Wimberley Square is the central area of downtown Wimberley and has a variety of shops and restaurants. Explore the area and visit The Gypsy Market for clothing, the Hill Country Wine Shoppe for a wine tasting, Wimberley Whimsy to create your own fairy garden and Candy Cottage for a treat. There are several more than I mentioned; it’s worth exploring the shops at your own pace.
When you need a break, visit Cypress Creek Coffee House for a coffee or smoothie and waffles piled in fresh fruit. If you’re interested in a beer instead, cross the street and have a drink at Chill’s on the Creek. Here you can enjoy live music with creek views.
Wimberley Glassworks
Just a few minutes outside of Wimberley, it's worth a visit to Wimberley Glassworks! They have a beautiful showroom full of hand blown works by local artists. You can also see live glass blowing, take a tour and enjoy a drink on their patio.
How to Get to Wimberley
Wimberley is located about an hour from Austin, Texas, so if you're flying, you should fly into Austin. Downtown Wimberley is walkable, but you'll want a car to get to the various outdoor destinations nearby. Wimberley is also located 3 and a half hours from Houston and San Antonio, and 4-5 hours from Dallas-Fort Worth. It makes for the perfect Texas weekend getaway!
Nearby Wimberley
Dripping Springs is another Hill Country town located about 20 minutes north of Wimberley. Nearby Dripping Springs, you’ll find lush green caves, hiking trails, an olive oil vineyard and more. Find out where to stay and things to do in my Dripping Springs guide.
For more ideas of places to go in Texas Hill Country, read my list of over 40 fantastic places to go in Hill Country!
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