Devil's Waterhole, Inks Lake State Park
Sourced below, last checked November 4, 2026. Confirm with Inks Lake State Park at (512) 793-2223 before you go.
Devil's Waterhole is the spot where Valley Spring Creek meets Inks Lake, inside Inks Lake State Park. Swimming is allowed but unguarded. Pay the $7 adult park entry (12 and under free) and walk the 0.2-mile trail from the parking lot. Weekend day passes sell out, so reserve ahead.
| Manager | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department [1] |
|---|---|
| Entry | $7 adult, free 12 and under [1] |
| Park hours | 6 am to 10 pm; headquarters and park store 8:30 am to 5 pm [1] |
| Lifeguard | None; TPWD says swim at your own risk [2] |
| Getting there | Devil's Waterhole Nature Trail, 0.2 mi from the lot [2] |
| Waterfall | Valley Spring Creek waterfall upstream runs only when the creek flows; it is also a swim spot [2] |
| Algae | TPWD asks visitors to watch for blooms and links LCRA reports [1] |
| Lake level | Usually held constant; 96.2% full on Nov 4, 2026 [5] |
| Boat rentals | $20 first hour, $10 each added hour [1] |
| Upcoming closures | Some trails and campsites close for hunts Dec 3 to 6, Dec 14 to 17, Jan 4 to 7, Jan 11 to 14 and Jan 18 to 21 [3] |
| Pets | Leash 6 ft or shorter; not allowed in designated swim areas [4] |
| Jumping and depth | Rock-jumping rules and water depth: not confirmed, check with Inks Lake State Park at (512) 793-2223. |
| Address | 3480 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet, TX [1] |
Finding the waterhole
Drive Park Road 4 to the Devil's Waterhole parking area; there is also a scenic overlook pullout on the same road with a view down onto the cove. The short nature trail links to the Valley Spring Creek Trail if you want to walk upstream toward the falls.
Plan around closures
The park runs public hunts in December and January that close parts of it, listed above. Check the alert page the week you go, and buy day passes early for Saturdays and Sundays. Because Inks is a constant level lake, the waterhole tends to look similar year round, but rock depth is not posted, so look before you leap.
Water data
- Water Data for Texas (TWDB): Inks Lake: 887.31 ft, 96.0% full on 2026-11-04 (captured when this page was built).
Readings show flow or level, not water safety.
Compare with other Hill Country swims on our Austin page or browse the Texas hub.
Common questions
Can you swim at Devil's Waterhole?
Yes. TPWD allows swimming there at your own risk; there are no lifeguards.
How much does it cost to get into Inks Lake State Park?
$7 per adult; children 12 and younger enter free.
Will Inks Lake close this winter?
Parts of the park close for hunts on several December and January dates. Check the TPWD alert page.
Sources
- TPWD: Inks Lake State Park. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Inks Lake trails and points of interest. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: Inks Lake park alerts. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- TPWD: State park rules. Last checked November 4, 2026.
- Water Data for Texas: Inks Lake. Last checked November 4, 2026.