How much does it cost to go to Jacobs well?

Jacob's Well is open to the public from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily. Hikers and other non-swimmers do not have to pay an entrance fee or make a reservation. However, they should arrive early as the park can reach capacity. Swimmers must pay a fee of $5 for children ages 5-12, $9 for adults, and $5 for seniors.



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Reservations are required for water access at Jacob's Well. No dogs, glass, alcohol, or drones are permitted in the natural area. Visitors who just want to hike do not need a reservation. Recommended hiking hours are 8 a.m. – 10 a.m. every day.

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Swimming and Tours at Jacob's Well Swimmers can stay in the shallows to enjoy the cool water, or jump from an overcrop into the 23' well. For those who'd rather explore the surrounding areas, there are several hiking trails in the natural area that are suitable for all skill levels.

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Temperature of the water in Jacob's Well remains a near-constant 68°F and visibility is typically excellent. The spring provides habitat to numerous species of fish (principally sunfish and perch); turtles; aquatic insects; crustaceans; and, most notably, the cave-adapted Fern Bank salamander (Eurycea pterophilia).

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By the 330s CE, the site had been identified as the place where Jesus held his conversation with the Samaritan woman, and was probably being used for Christian baptisms. By 384 CE, a cruciform church was built over the site, and is mentioned in the 4th century writings of Saint Jerome.

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As of June 29, 2022, swimming will not be allowed at Jacob's Well Natural Area (JWNA) for the foreseeable future. The threat of high bacteria levels, other pollutants and poor visibility conditions are unsafe for swimming.

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While the size of the park that the well sits on is very large (over 81 acres!), the well itself is much smaller. The park includes a reasonably pathed hiking trail from the parking lot to the well. Once you get to the well, there's a trail that will lead you down to access the water, about a 10-minute walk.

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The well takes an initial plunge through 23 feet of well-lit water to an apparent bottom, but then it veers off into a descent of increasing darkness. I visited with Gregg Tatum who has logged over 250 dives there. He says it is no place for a novice.

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After about a dozen divers drowned trying to explore the bottom of Jacob's Well, the fourth chamber was finally sealed up for good.

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For the second year in a row, the iconic spring-fed swimming hole has stopped flowing, the consequence of drought and overpumping. It was a scorching day in July 2022 when I last peered into Jacob's Well. In a sense, I had come to pay my respects.

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