Visitors to the Texas Hill Country will find a plethora of sights and activities to partake in, thanks to the region’s abundance of natural beauty, fascinating history, quaint small towns, and thrilling big cities.
Whether you are interested in finding the best swimming holes, visiting a local brewery, or marveling at some roadside curiosities, the place has you covered.
If you have never been there before, you might be overwhelmed with a slew of options. To make your life easier, we have spent countless hours discovering every nook of the Texas Hill Country and compiling this guide to the best the area has to offer:
- A Trip to Marble Falls
The trip to Marble Falls will evoke a small-town ambiance. Get some food from Storms, a divey burger joint with a drive-through reminiscent of the good old days.
Visit Lake Buchanan after refueling with a tasty hamburger and chocolate shake. Spend the day sailing, swimming ashore, or fishing off the pier.
Hill Country winemakers are responsible for the majority of Texas’s wine exports. So if you are looking for a great place to start sampling the best reds and whites, you cannot do much better than Marble Falls.
No trip to Marble Falls is complete without a stopover at Hill Country RV resorts, which are loaded with luxury amenities such as a community dog park, swimming pool, clubhouse, and playground.
Be sure to visit Marble Falls in the springtime to enjoy beautiful wildflowers along the roadside, including bluebonnets, Indian blankets, and Indian paintbrushes.
- Explore Jacob’s Well
Located in Wimberly, Texas, Jacob’s Well is a cave that goes down to a depth of 180 feet. In terms of size, it ranks second in the US.
It is an attractive, crystal-clear blue hole that draws an increasing number of tourists every year, especially those who love the outdoors.
Diving into its chilly waves is hands down one of the best activities in the Texas Hill Country. Keep in mind that you need to make a reservation to go swimming.
Jacob’s Well closes in colder months and is not accessible for swimming. But anyone may take the short trip to check out the spring any time of the year.
Even while cliff jumpers now make up the bulk of day-trippers, divers often visit this gem to learn more about the cave’s inner workings.
- Relax at Garner State Park
The 1,774 scenic acres of Garner State Park have welcomed families since 1941. A great place to go camping for the night and home to the famed summertime jukebox dances reminiscent of the 1940s.
The majority of the park is contained within a river valley, but the steep canyon walls provide some exciting and rewarding hiking opportunities.
Mini golf and other attractions ensure that even extended stays in this Hill Country gem will not leave visitors bored.
In the heat of the summer, visitors can cool themselves in the Frio river that runs through the park. For those interested in getting out on the water, the park has floats, paddle boards, kayaks, and paddle boats available for hire.
You may also stroll along the banks of the Frio River and take in the sights (the fall foliage is particularly stunning!).
Check out the small dam in the vicinity of the campers for a beautiful photo backdrop. A rocky region accessible at the water level just south of the dam. The setting is beautiful, with woods and Old Baldy in the distance.
- Visit the LBJ National Historical Park
The Hill Country is the place of origin for Lyndon Baines Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. His life is commemorated in the LBJ National Historical Park, a must-visit for history aficionados.
The park was declared a national historical park on December 28, 1980. The Johnson family has been very charitable, recently adding further land to their property in April 1995. Current holdings encompass roughly 1,570 acres.
Historic sites in the area include the one-room schoolhouse where he first learned to read, the home where his grandparents raised him, and the cemetery where both President and Mrs. Johnson are laid to rest.
Besides, the park offers several recreational amenities, including a year-round Olympic-size swimming pool, a Visitors Center, American bison, 1.2 miles of walking paths, Texas longhorns, creeks, and wildflowers.
- Marvel at Lake Travis
Approximately an hour from the heart of Austin, Lake Travis is another aquatic treasure in the Hill Country. Over 19,000 acres in size, this lake is perfect for water sports, including skiing, wakeboarding, and surfing.
If you want to take it easy while cruising over the water and soaking in the sights, you can rent a boat or hire a driver.
Off the water, visitors may enjoy the region’s renowned golf courses, take a helicopter trip to get a birds-eye glimpse of the lake or ride the massive zip line that stretches out over the water after you have had a good time for the day, head over to The Oasis for a drink and watch the sun go down.
Austin experiences aren’t just confined to the water and outdoors. Downtown Austin offers an eclectic mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options, from live music venues to a plethora of unique, locally-owned boutiques and eateries.
Austin’s rich history and culture can be explored through its numerous museums and art galleries.
Nightlife in the city is vibrant and varied, featuring everything from laid-back bars and pubs to upscale lounges and energetic dance clubs.
- Explore the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Historically, the local Apache and Comanche peoples believed Enchanted Rock State Area to be a mystical site. Similar to Australia’s Uluru, it may captivate onlookers with its mesmerizing influence.
Take note that parking at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is quite limited. It will be closed once capacity has been reached. However, you might get a ticket to return when it reopens in the afternoon.
It may look daunting, but Enchanted Rock’s ascent is not that difficult. Although the beginning of this smooth rock is rather dramatic, that is not the case for the rest of it. From the peak, you can see all the beautiful Texas countryside around you.
Due to the sensitive nature of this preserve, pets are restricted to the day-use picnic sites, camping areas, and the Loop Trail. Always keep your pet on a leash no longer than six feet in your vehicle and at your campsite.
Conclusion
In case you did not know, the Texas Hill Country is a dividing line between the Southwestern and Southeastern states of the United States.
If you imagine Texas as a cactus-covered wasteland, you have not seen the Texas Hill Country. To make the most of your time, consider visiting the places and attractions covered in this article.
