Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales Falls State Park

Pedernales River running over limestone.
Map showing the location of Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls
Location Blanco County, Texas
Nearest city Johnson City
Coordinates 30°18′0″N 98°14′30″W / 30.30000°N 98.24167°W / 30.30000; -98.24167Coordinates: 30°18′0″N 98°14′30″W / 30.30000°N 98.24167°W / 30.30000; -98.24167
Area 5,211.7 acres (2,109 ha)
Established 1971
Governing body Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
http://tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/gis/pedernales_falls/

Pedernales Falls State Park /ˌpɜːrdəˈnælᵻs/ is a state park in central Texas in the United States.

Location

Pedernales Falls State Park is located 10 miles (16 km) east of Johnson City. The park is on the Pedernales River, 14 miles (23 km) southwest of the river's mouth at Lake Travis.

History

Before 1970, the area that is now Pedernales Falls State Park was a working ranch, known as the Circle Bar Ranch. The state of Texas purchased the land for the park in 1970, and the park opened in 1971.

Recreation

Many of the activities in Pedernales Falls State Park center around the Pedernales River: swimming, tubing, wading and fishing. The park also has a number of picnic areas and campsites, including some primitive campsites that require a hike of two miles or more to reach. There are also 19.8 miles (31.9 km) of hiking and mountain biking trails, 10 miles of equestrian trails, and 14 miles of backpacking trails.

Like many rivers in central Texas, the Pedernales is prone to variable water levels. A sign at the park shows a relatively tranquil river in one picture and a raging wall of muddy water in the next picture, said to be taken only five minutes after the first. The speed at which flash floods can arise along this river has resulted in several deaths at the park, and warning sirens have been installed in the park and elsewhere along the river.

See also

Panoramic view of Perdenales Falls at low water flow
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