Texas Hill Country Region

Regional Highlights:

Enchanted Rock, between Fredericksburg and Llano
National Museum of the Pacific War, Fredericksburg
Bed and Breadfasts & Guesthouses, Fredericksburg
Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels
Natural Bridge Caverns, New Braunfels
Dude ranches, Bandera
LBJ State & National Historic Parks, Johnson City and Stonewall
Texas State Capitol, Austin
The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Austin
Outlet shopping, San Marcos
Tubing and Rafting, New Braunfels, Gruene

Texas's richest vacation region was formed in less time than it takes to describe it. The Hill Country, a scenic area north and west of San Antonio, was shaped 30 million years ago by a violent 3-1/2 minute earthquake. The convulsion buckled the earth and kicked up strata of limestone and granite into rugged hills and steep cliffs.

The jagged scar of the event, the Balcones Escarpment, zigzags down the state, marking the frontier between flat farmland toward the east and rugged ranches to the west. Cotton and cornfields give way to hillsides dotted with limestone scrabble, textured by juniper and majestic live oaks, and tinted year around by wildflowers.

The Hill Country is the true heart of Texas, and it's one of the state's favorite vacation getaways. Ranches, wineries, state parks, resorts, and antique shops tempt travelers to break away for a couple of days of country fun.

The heart of the region is Austin, the capital city. This quickly expanding city is not only the seat of state government but a capital in the world of high-tech industry and education, home of the University of Texas with over 50,000 students. South of Austin you'll find busy I-35 leading to San Antonio, traveling through several communities that are tops with travelers. Like the city's northern reaches, the south and southwest side of Austin is also home to many bedroom communities including Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, Spicewood, and Buda. Further south, San Marcos is a favorite with shoppers from across the state (and Mexico) because of its truly Texas-sized outlet malls. New Braunfels also offers outlet shopping as well as natural attractions including one of the state's best caverns.

West of I-35 lies the more rural areas of the Hill Country and home to some of Texas's most intriguing real estate, in terms of the area's geography and its diverse mix of cultures and attractions. German settlers left a thick accent on Comfort, Fredericksburg, and New Braunfels where the wurstfests are as common as the pink granite hills. Native American, Mexican, and Polish cultures have melded in Bandera, the state's dude ranch capital. A politician who started out along the Pedernales River and ended up in the White House left a mark on the Hill Country, too--in the town of Johnson City and along the Highland Lakes.

Many of the Highland Lakes' attractions are found near Burnet, located just outside Lake Buchanan, the granddaddy of the Highland Lakes.

This area is also a favorite with freshwater anglers. Many travelers enjoy spending a few days along the lake shores in cottages for rent by the day or week. Lake Buchanan, Inks Lake, Lake LBJ, Lake Marble Falls, and Lake Travis each offer quiet coves and a chance to catch black bass, white bass, crappie, catfish, and perch. Commuties such as Lago Vista, Kingsland, Marble Falls, Buchanan Dam and Tow each offer lakeside attractions.

Beyond the Highland Lakes, the communities of Llano and Mason are a favorite with rock hounds who search for finds that include the Texas topaz.

For many vacationers the Texas Hill Country is synonymous with cowboys. When you're ready to throw on your 10-gallon hat, the communities of Kerrville and Bandera are excellent destinations. Just one hour's drive from San Antonio on I-10 lies Kerrville, a Hill Country community with a little bit of everything: cowboy fun, fine art, beautiful parks, and more. The best known ranch in this region is the Y.O. Ranch, which once grew to over 600,000 acres, covering a distance of 80 miles.

In-Depth Travel Articles

Flower Fever in the Hill Country It's time to stop and smell the roses--or at least the beautiful Texas wildflowers. This month they can be seen along roadsides throughout the Hill Country. Native flowers--from bluebonnets to Indian paintbrushes to Mexican hats--fill the roadsides with color, beckoning travelers to get out and enjoy the blooms.

The Highland Lakes and Texas Hill Country. One of Texas' biggest tourist regions owes its start to a 3-1/2 minute earthquake over 30 million years ago. In less time than it takes to describe it, the ground trembled and shook and the Hill Country was born.

Hill Country Equals Cowboy Country For generations, the work of the cowboy has meant branding cattle, mending fences, and breaking broncos. On ranches throughout the Hill Country, the cowboy career still means those same activities, all carried out by seasoned pros.