View the Pedernales Falls from the scenic overlook at the north end of the park. Here, the river drops about 50 feet in elevation over a distance of 3,000 feet. Water cascades over tilted, layered stair steps of limestone.

This river limestone is 300 million years old. It is in the Marble Falls formation, and part of the southwestern flank of the Llano uplift. The uplift tilted these layers of limestone. Some 100 to 120 million years ago, early Cretaceous seas covered this part of Texas and deposited sands, gravels, younger limestone and marine fossils. Over time, these younger deposits eroded.

The state of Texas acquired Pedernales Falls State Park from private owners in 1970. The park opened in 1971.

The 5,212-acre park sits along the banks of the scenic Pedernales River in Blanco County east of Johnson City. Formerly the Circle Bar Ranch, the area is typical Edwards Plateau terrain.