In 1970 the over five thousand acres located east of Johnson City, Texas in Blanco County that is now home to the Pedernales Falls State Park was purchased from private owners. It was opened to the public during 1971 on the Pedernales River bank, the area that is typical of the Edwards Plateau terrain was once Circle Bar Ranch. Visitors to the park should be aware of the danger of flash floods that can occur without warning along the Pedernales River.
There are a number of activities at the Pedernales Falls State Park which include swimming, wading and tubing in the river. Visitors to the park may also fish and ride horses provided they bring their own horses. While visitors to the Pedernales Falls State Park may not camp out overnight with their horses there is camping available along with hiking and picnicking. The boundaries of recreation in the river are along the river to the boundaries of the park itself and the camping area for youth groups.
Campsites provided by the Pedernales Falls State Park have both electricity and water. There is an area for youth groups which must be accompanied by an adult. There is a two mile minimum of hiking required to get to the primitive campsites that do not allow pets or fires on the ground. These campsites require the use of fuel stoves that are self contained and these are the only stoves allowed on the sites. The campsites have restrooms both with and without facilities for showering, picnic sites and a dump station for trailers.
Camping is limited to a maximum of eight people each site unless specified differently. The entrance fee to the park is in addition to the campsite fees. The charge for the hike-in area is $10 each night for every six people and $20 a night for sites with water and electricity. The Youth Group Area can hold up to one-hundred and fifty people at a charge of $50 each night with proper adult supervision.
Pedernales Falls State Park also offers a wide variety of trails for visitors' enjoyment. There equestrian trails totaling ten miles, mountain bike and hiking trails that are almost twenty miles long and backpacking trails that are fourteen miles long. The headquarters building of the park has the Texas State Park Store. Those that enjoy bird watching can do so from a viewing station that is covered and has a drip bath and feeders for the birds. There is food provided at the station which can holdup to fifteen people. The use of the viewing station is free of charge. The facility is handicapped accessible.
Fees to enter the Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City, Texas are $3 each person, each day for those aged thirteen and older when staying overnight in the park and $5 each day when only staying for the day. Schools can arrange group trips by contacting the park directly. There are also special rates for those with a Youth Group Annual Entrance Permit, Texas State Park Pass and Texas Parklands Passport. Children aged twelve and under get in at no charge.
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