Give Nature a Chance: The End of Swim Season at Blue Hole

The final weekend in September marks the end of Swim Season at Blue Hole Regional Park. This time of year can feel like a bit of an abrupt change.

The park goes from the sound of laughter and splashing off the rope swings to the sound of birdsong and wind whistling through the trees. Beach balls bouncing through the air and swimmers making laps through the creek become turtles poking their heads above the water and snakes quietly moving across its surface.

And while the change can feel a little strange at first, it is an important one.

Every day during Swim Season, we welcome guests from all over the world. Most days, we sell out. Each swim session can accommodate up to 280 guests, plus up to 30 season pass holders. With two sessions each day, that means we can welcome around 600 half day and season pass holders in a single day, not including the people visiting other areas of the park or passing through to take a quick look at the water.

This year, we had a total of 66,423 half day pass reservations for swim over the course of just a little more than four months.

That’s a lot of people in a relatively small area of the park.

If you’ve seen the Swim Lawn lately, you know what that looks like. We’ve had tens of thousands of feet walking, running, playing games and picnicking on the lawn, along with hundreds of people swimming in the same stretch of Cypress Creek at a time.

You can see the effects. The grass is looking rough. Our riparian areas are in need of some rest and recovery. And with the dry conditions we are experiencing, the creek itself is feeling the strain and the water level is beginning to drop significantly.

That’s why, every year, we close Blue Hole to swimming for a restoration period.

This seasonal break gives the park an opportunity to recover from the incredible amount of activity it experiences during Swim Season. Vegetation has a chance to grow back. Soil and heavily trafficked areas can begin to recover. And wildlife can move through and use the habitat with less disturbance.

Blue Hole is home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including gray foxes, armadillos, white-tailed deer, opossums, bats, fish, turtles, numerous snake species, insects and many other animals. The park is also an important stop for migratory birds, and hundreds of different bird species can be spotted at Blue Hole throughout the year. We are currently in peak fall migration, making this an especially important time to give wildlife some peace and quiet.

Noise and frequent human activity can disturb wildlife behaviors and affect how animals use their habitat. The same is true for the plants that call Blue Hole home.

Our beloved bald cypress trees are a defining part of the park. Thousands of guests swing from their branches, jump from the dock along the base of the trees and hang onto the roots in the water. These are old and strong trees, but they deserve a break. Blue Hole is also home to some rare native plant species, including the chatterbox orchid. Giving these plants, trees and the surrounding habitat a period of reduced disturbance is an important part of caring for the park in the long term.

We will be closed for swimming until May 1, 2027. During the off-season, there will also be some temporary area closures as we complete restoration projects, repairs and other work in the swim area. Keep an eye on the City of Wimberley Parks & Recreation website and social media for updates on closures and projects.

But… the park isn’t closed.

There are still 126 acres and more than five miles of trails to explore. If the Swim Lawn is open and isn’t being used for restoration work or a private event, you’re welcome to visit and enjoy viewing the water from up above its surface.

The off-season also marks the beginning of one of our busiest times for facility rentals. Fall and spring are beautiful times to host an event at Blue Hole, and our facilities are available for weddings, celebrations, gatherings, and other private events. From the Swim Lawn and Pavilion to the Amphitheater and other park spaces, there are several ways to enjoy the park while celebrating something special in the cooler weather.

Fall and spring are also our event seasons, and there is plenty happening at the park over the next few months. From Star Party to our biggest event of the year, Boo! Hole Halloween, there are lots of ways to enjoy Blue Hole outside of Swim Season.

Whether you’re looking to slow down and enjoy the peacefulness of nature, explore the trails, spot some wildlife, book a private event or join us for one of our fall events, there is still plenty to experience at Blue Hole.

Just, please, no swimming.

Give nature a chance.