Goodwater Loop at Lake Georgetown

Lake Georgetown, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Georgetown)

The Goodwater Loop circles Lake Georgetown, a Corps of Engineers reservoir behind the North San Gabriel Dam, which Wikipedia says was completed in 1979. Texas Highways calls it one of the state’s few thru-hikes, about 27 miles around the lake past limestone fields, springs, settler-era ruins, and a mile-long dam, with three free primitive camps along the way.

Lee Compton of the Austin Ridge Riders told Texas Highways, “It’s just a hidden gem.”

The hike

The Outbound says the most popular start is Cedar Breaks Park, while Texas Highways’ writer began at Tejas Park, a small campground at the loop’s western tip and one of five parks with trail access. Near Tejas, Hunt Crossing, an 1800s bridge reinforced with concrete, carries hikers and cars over the San Gabriel River; Texas Highways says it’s one of the few settler-era crossings left, since the lake flooded the others.

About nine miles into Texas Highways’ hike came Crockett Garden Falls, a waterfall and grotto below the ruins of an old flour mill and farm, with moss-covered boulders and elephant ears. The Outbound adds natural springs, cacti along a blue-green lake, and longhorns across fences on private land.

A 2014 trip report on Backcountry Post describes a three-day loop: about 7 miles to Sawyer Hollow the first day, past mile 17 to Jim Hogg Park the second, and the rest of the way on day three, across the dam and a paved road. The group crossed Crockett Creek near the falls, the San Gabriel River just past Tejas, and the concrete Box Crossing, and filtered lake and river water. In heat from 84 to 96°F, they found the rocky limestone and the shadeless dam slow going. “There were a few points where trail forks are marked only with rock piles or sticks in the ground, so be careful and don’t get lost,” the writer warns.

Texas Highways suggests booking a site at Cedar Breaks Park to split up the long second day, since Cedar Breaks and Jim Hogg are reservation-only campgrounds. Jim Hogg is currently listed as closed for renovation (see the notice).

For another Hill Country overnight, see Colorado Bend State Park or Pedernales Falls.

Tips

Plan water carefully. The primitive camps have none, and two parks with taps have closures.
Bring a filter or purifier for lake water, as Texas Highways advises.
Watch for unmarked forks marked only with rock piles or sticks.
Go in the cool months. The 2014 trip in September was very hot, and the dam has no shade.
Check river levels before the San Gabriel and Box crossings.

Camping

The Corps lists three undeveloped camps reached only on foot or by boat: Cedar Hollow (between mileposts 4 and 5), Sawyer (6 and 7), and Walnut Springs (15 and 16). Most have a picnic table, ground fire ring, and lantern stand. Potable water is not available, and the stay limit is 14 days. Texas Highways says the three backcountry sites are free and need no reservation. Wikipedia notes that Overlook Park does not allow camping. Tejas, Cedar Breaks, and Jim Hogg are developed campgrounds that take reservations through Recreation.gov or online.

Inside Intel: The 2014 Backcountry Post group liked Sawyer Hollow for quiet and privacy, calling it small and sloped but in good shape, and a commenter called Walnut Springs a great site when it isn’t crowded. Texas Highways’ writer camped at Cedar Hollow, which is on the lake.

Trail facts

Distance: 26.9 miles (Texas Highways); about 26 (Wikipedia)
Route type: Loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Campsites: Cedar Hollow, Sawyer, Walnut Springs (free, first come); developed parks along the loop
Water: None at primitive camps; taps at some Corps parks (check closures); treat lake water
Stay limit: 14 days
Trailheads: Cedar Breaks, Tejas, Jim Hogg, Russell parks
Last verified: October 17, 2026

The Lowdown

Lakeside at Cedar Hollow:

Texas Highways' writer slept at lakeside Cedar Hollow, one of three free camps on the 27-mile loop around Lake Georgetown. See which sleeping bags testers rate.

Read the full guide →

Where this comes from

This page draws on the sources below, along with other guides and trip reports. Links go to the original pages.

Before you go: This page is based on published trail guides, trip reports, and reviews, along with official park and agency information where we could find it. It’s meant to help backpackers discover new trails, not to replace current, official information. Conditions, closures, permits, campsites, and water sources change, and some details here may be out of date or wrong. Confirm everything with the managing agency and check current conditions before you head out, and don’t rely on this page alone for safety or navigation. Backcountry travel involves risk.