Free and open to the public. However, donations will be gladly accepted to support The Waco Wetlands.
Generously sponsored by:
Stroll through gardens and visit ponds in the Waco area. Whether you want ideas for creating your own water garden or just need a relaxing day, this self-drive tour has something for everyone! From a small container pond to large in-ground ponds you will see a full array of ideas to inspire and delight!
The pond numbers correspond to the location numbers on the Tour Map page. To download a printable list of the ponds on the tour, click here.
Pond Etiquette
- Please do not ask to use the restrooms at pond sites.
- Please do not bring glass container into our yards.
- Please pick up any trash you may have dropped.
- Please control children for their safety.
- Please do not bring pets into our yards.
- Please do not smoke or bring alcoholic beverages into our yards.
Thank You from the Pond Owners
Enjoy your visit
Ron and Rose Haft’s Ponds
408 Cindy Lane, Lorena
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
The Haft’s first pond was built in 2002, a small 600–700 gallon affair. It was expanded to include a couple of tributary ponds with waterfalls added and then in 2015 added a 7,000 gallon koi pond that is 12’ by 16’ and 5’ deep. In all there are four connected ponds, ranging from the large one down to 100 gallons, plus two little puddles that are at the head of small streams. One pond is a settling tank to collect sediment and waste. More recent additions include 4, three hundred gallon water lily tanks and a 750 gallon bog filter. A swimming pool sand filter helps keep the water clear and drives the waterfall above the koi pond. In 2020 several bog-plant beds were added and bonsai displays incorporated.
Directions: From Waco on I-35 south and take the first Lorena Exit (322). Turn right at the stop sign right on Old Lorena Rd., FM 2837. Take the first left after railroad tracks onto Williams Dr. and then the second left onto Cindy Lane.
Harv and Georgia Peterson’s Ponds
700 Fox Ridge Rd., Lorena
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
This backyard oasis has two 6,000 gallon ponds, two streams with waterfalls that flow into the lower pond, and a mega waterfall cascading into the upper pond. A large 4’ X 24’ X 24” deep bog with two waterfalls and a stream also flow into the upper pond. The birds, frogs, fish and dragonflies love their aquatic environment as we do.
Directions: Take FM 2837, Old Lorena Rd., west to Chapel Road and turn left. Go 1.2 miles and turn left onto Belver Rd., go to the Y intersection and bear left onto Fox Ridge Rd. Go to the first driveway on the right.
Bevil Cohn’s Pond
251 Cross Creek Road, McGregor
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM (Only)
Just a 10-minute drive from Richland Mall out Hwy. 84 across from the McGregor Airport you will find Bevil’s pond. It is home to butterflies, red dragonflies, frogs, and fish. Blooming plants in pots bring color to the area. Plumerias from Hawaii bloom among the foliage. Passion vines show off their dramatic purple blooms.
There is a pergola with succulents and a shady patio for tropical plants. A very large staff horn fern amazes guests. Children are delighted by the playhouse and fort in the back yard.
Originally built in 2001 the pond is an irregular oval, approximately 8’ X 10’ and 3’ deep. A tractor was used to dig the hole and old carpet pads the liner. An antique clawfoot tub filled with reeds, elephant ears, and canna lilies provides the bio veggie filter. In 2015 7,000 pounds of rock were added for edging and to create a waterfall. A filtration system of barrels, rocks, and sand was added to improve water quality.
Directions: Take Hwy. 84 west towards McGregor. Across from the McGregor Airport, turn left onto Oak Creek Circle and then curve onto Cross Creek Road. The house is on your left.
John and Susan Peitsmeyer’s Pond
205 Lake Drive, China Spring
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Come out to the country and enjoy a beautiful above ground water garden oasis. It is surrounded by a uniquely landscaped yard including fruit trees, vegetables, grape vines and much more. Bring the kids and experience the joy of true country living. We have chickens, wild rabbits, deer and a natural bird sanctuary. We have a 2,400 gallon, 2-tiered pond with a waterfall. It is a home to many koi, large goldfish and frogs. Don’t miss the serenity of hundreds of rolling wooded acres with a view of a beautiful lake as our backdrop.
Directions: Continue on Twisted Oak Lane and turn right onto Baylor Camp Rd., when you come to a T bear left to stay on Baylor Camp Rd., when you come to the stop sign turn right to stay on Baylor Camp Rd., at China Spring Rd., FM1637, turn left and go 4.8 miles and turn left onto Bend of the Bosque. Turn Left onto Lake Dr.
Ron and Lori Galt’s Pond
360 Winding Trail, Crawford
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
About 4 years ago we decided to build a Japanese Garden in our back yard. We now have two ponds connected by a winding stream and numerous plants that are still growing. We have a small wooden bridge, over the stream, leading to a large red Torii Gate guarded by two Terra Cota Warriors, that opens to a view of the river below in the canyon. The upper pond is covered by a Tea House and has a small Goddess standing in the middle that the many fish swim around. The bottom pond is guarded by a large Dragon, made of rocks found in our yard, that has several large Koi and many lily pads.
Directions: Take highway 6 to Highway 185 (Cedar Rock Pkwy), or Highway 84 to Highway 317, to the City of Crawford. At the only flashing light, drive north towards Valley Mills on Highway 317 about 1 mile, to Winding Trail on the left. The entrance to the Garden is through the Garage and guarded by a Samurai Warrior
Jay and Elizabeth Trout’s Pond
725 Tahoe Trail Dr., Hewitt
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
After several years of enjoying a small, preformed liner pond we decided to upgrade. Our fish now live in a 1000-gallon pond with a natural bog. Home to two koi and some goldfish. Many birds visit us too.
Directions: Just off of Spring Valley Rd behind Spring Valley Elementary.
Lisa Goodwin’s Pond
7959 Ivy Rd, Moody
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Come to the country and enjoy this shady backyard with many water features. A 2,500 gallon pond with 24” koi and a 10’ waterfall stream for birds to bathe surrounded by sand stones. A 8ft x 6ft bog filter planted with Yerba Manza, violet stemmed elephant ears, lizards tail and iris. A couple of smaller ponds with plants and a turtle. Pergolas planted with evergreen wisteria shade the smaller pond.
Directions: Take HWY 317 south towards Belton, 4 miles South of Moody and turn left on Ivy Road. Go over the hill and the home is on the right with a red barn. Watch for yellow pond signage.
Kathy Dupree’s Pond
1161 LaMotte Dr., Troy
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
This pond is worth the drive to Troy!!! It’s a 6,000 gallon pond with skimmer, veggie filter and rock waterfall. The veggie filter is full of water celery, violet stem taro, elephant ears and yerba manza. The pond is stocked with koi and red tail minnows. The entire backyard is landscaped, including a greenhouse, flowerbeds, herb garden, vegetable garden, fairy gardens, succulents, palm trees, banana trees and a gorgeous swimming pool.
Directions: Take I-35 South toward Troy. Turn right onto Big Elm Rd, exit 311. Take the next right onto Old 81 and then the first left back onto Big Elm. Take the next left onto Old Troy and then the next right onto LaMotte Dr. Watch for the yellow pond tour signs.
Tamra Walthall’s Pond
4101 Hermosa, Waco
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
Originally the Walthall’s were interested in Aquaponics (growing plants in water fertilized by fish), raising Butterfly koi and Tilapia.
During 2020, Tamra Walthall became intrigued with creating an outdoor pond for the larger koi.
The pond is 5’ at the deepest point and is terraced to provide two levels of shelves for water plants, steep sides to protect against herons. A bog lines 3/4 of the shoreline, and two waterfalls accent the opposite end of the shoreline – a drip waterfall and a Fast Fall.
Soon after the pond was completed, we got a call to rescue some koi. These fish were a mixture of brightly colored Japanese Koi, carp and Shubumkins (a mixture of koi and Carp).
Directions: The Walthall farm is at 4101 Hermosa Drive, Waco TX 76705, just beside Buena Vista Park.
Take Kendall Lane off Loop 340 turn left on Crow to Hermosa and Buena Vista Park, follow the direction signs to the pond.
Rachel Cain and Gordon Nyhof’s Pond
407 Morse Dr., Robinson
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 to 4:00 PM
We built our 2,500 gallon pond in 2023, and started with goldfish. This year we’ve added two Koi, and have begun to landscape. We enjoy the sound of the waterfall, feeding the fish and seeing the water lilies in bloom.
Directions: Just off Hwy Loop 340, on the corner of Old Robinson Rd & Morse Dr.
Ron and Donna Linderman’s Pond
1158 Bend of the Bosque, China Spring
Saturday 9:30 to 3:00 PM (Only)
Come out and look at this peaceful pond,
Dazzling colored Koi fish glide with graceful swivels.
With the sound of food, they respond,
Coming closer to the surface to grab a few nibbles.
A few Lilypads dance alongside the Koi,
Scenic waterfalls cascade into the stream.
The bubbling sound of water for all to enjoy,
Take a seat on the bench to relax and dream.
Garden rocks, stones, seashells, and shade form the basis,
A 30 ft Bog naturally filters and cleanses the water supply.
Beautiful rose gardens add to the allure of the oasis.
Catch a glimpse of the whimsical flight of many butterflies.
Directions: Continue on Twisted Oak Lane and turn right onto Baylor Camp Rd., when you come to a T bear left to stay on Baylor Camp Rd., when you come to the stop sign turn right to stay on Baylor Camp Rd., at China Spring Rd., FM1637, turn left and go 4.8 miles and turn left onto Bend of the Bosque.