Blanco River, Five Mile Dam, Hays County Park, Texas. (original) (raw)
Five Mile Dam
Photo courtesy Chandra Moira Beal, 2001
‹ Blanco River, page 1Take IH35 to San Marcos and exit at Aquarena Springs Drive. Stay to the right and head toward Bobcat Stadium. Just before the stadium, turn right on Post Road. Continue on Post Road for about five miles. You'll wind through a rural neighborhood. When you get to the railroad trestle, go under it and across the Blanco River. Take an immediate left onto Old Stagecoach Road. It isn't well marked. Go about one mile and you'll see the park on your left.
Alternate route: Take IH35 to Yarrington Road just south of Kyle. Follow the frontage road to the 'Y', then take the right on FM 2779. When you come to the railroad trestle, don't go under it but turn right onto Old Stagecoach Road. The park is one mile down on the left. (Note: this is a shorter route from Austin but I got easily lost as the roads are not well marked.)
This Hays County park is a well kept secret. Situated on the banks of the Blanco River, the park is a short drive from both Austin and San Marcos, perfect for a day retreat. Although nearby development is encroaching on this swimming hole (notice the houses perched above the river), it remains a beautiful, quiet park.
The Blanco River flows in a long, straight path with high limestone bluffs on the south side and grassy banks on the north shore. The water behind the dam is calm and fairly shallow with a few deep pockets. The characteristic white limestone that gives this river its name allows you to see the bottom easily. Access to the water is easy: just slip in from the grassy bank.
A long, short dam spans the river at the eastern edge of the park. Below the dam the riverbed is rocky and the vegetation is thick. This area is perfect for dogs. The current can be strong and swift, so exercise caution here.
Picnic tables dot the banks, and there is plenty of shade to cover them. There is a boat launch at the far west end of the park, but no motorboats are allowed. There is plenty of parking, but no other amenities.
Text and photos courtesy of Chandra Moira Beal and La Luna Publishing
Copyright Chandra Moira Beal, 1999