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Pedernales Falls Wolf Mountain Trail and Primitive Area

Pedernales Falls State Park (Blanco County)

Pedernales Falls State Park, in Blanco County, takes its name from the falls on the Pedernales River. Away from the river, the Wolf Mountain Trail loops through dry creeks and hills to a hike-in primitive camping area and Jones Spring, a spring-fed pool beside the ruins of a stone settler’s house.

TPWD puts the primitive sites 2 to 3 miles from the Wolf Mountain trailhead, which makes this a short overnight.

The hike

Explore Magazine describes the Wolf Mountain Trail as an 8.25-mile loop with about 650 feet of elevation. It heads south on a dirt track, mostly flat at first, then joins an old gravel jeep road that it says many hikers find the least enjoyable section. The first creek crossing is usually dry, the article says, except after heavy rain, when flash flooding becomes a risk.

The route passes Bee Creek, with steep, small canyon walls (Explore warns against leaving the trail for a closer look because the ground can be unstable), and then Mescal Creek, where unmarked side trails lead to the primitive campsites. Jones Spring, roughly halfway, is a popular rest stop where some hikers swim. Despite the name, the trail “merely loops around” Wolf Mountain rather than climbing it, according to Explore. A fork marked for the overlook leads to the Pedernales River and the falls.

The park’s 2025 trail map lists the Wolf Mountain Loop at 3.2 miles and the Jones Spring Trail at 2.6, and describes the Wolf Mountain area for “scenic vistas, cool springs, and creeks.” It also lists the Juniper Ridge Trail (9.7 miles, a shaded mountain-bike single-track) and the 11.4-mile Horse Trail South for longer days. The map advises about a quart of water per hour, warns that cell service and GPS may be unreliable, and says to move to higher ground immediately if the river rises or turns muddy.

Explore notes that the middle of the loop has very little shade and that hikers often underestimate their water.

For another Hill Country overnight, see the Goodwater Loop or Colorado Bend State Park.

Tips

Camping

TPWD’s primitive area, which it calls Wolf Ridge, is a low-impact, limited-footprint camping area that isn’t for groups, with up to four people per site. There’s no potable water. Open fires and ground fires are prohibited, but containerized fuel stoves are allowed. Chemical toilets are provided, and trash goes in the cans at the camping area’s west entrance. Pets are not allowed. You must check in at the park office during office hours. TPWD recommends reserving campsites online, especially for weekends, school breaks, and holidays.

Inside Intel: No camper accounts recommending a specific site were found. Explore Magazine says the camping area fills up quickly on nice days and suggests arriving early.

Trail facts

The Lowdown

Camp off the Mescal Creek side trails:

Pedernales Falls' primitive sites hold up to four people each and sit a couple of miles from the car, so a light, compact tent fits. See the tents reviewers like.

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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.