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Just 23 miles west of Austin, a city known for its quirks and weirdness, is perhaps the weirdest sight in all of Texas: a breathtaking natural oasis emerging out of the desert dust and scrub grass.
Hamilton Pool is a natural spring formed in the limestone bedrock and fed by an underground river, which also feeds the small tributaries and lush flora surrounding the pool. The abundant freshwater has allowed a diverse population of trees and vegetation to emerge surrounding the pool, forming what is now a protected nature preserve of the same name.
The first thing visitors will marvel at is the deep overhang etched into the far wall of the pool--remnants of a natural dome that once concealed the entire grotto underground, until it collapsed more than a century ago. The sheer cavern now provides deep shade and rocky exploration for visitors.
Waterfalls routinely fall from the lip of the overhang, flowing down the 50-foot drop and splashing into the cool water below, making this a beautiful and refreshing location for sunbaked summer adventurers and swimmers.
