QuestionMark

Howdy,

I'm thinking of taking 2+ days to leave Houston and go explore more of the Hill country west and north of San Antonio. We're new to the state and while we have travelled to Pedernales Falls SP, we haven't seen anywhere else. The nicer areas seemed just a little further west. So...with a few days in the car and the desire to sightsee different areas, parks, towns, attractions, etc...what would you hit in/near the Hill country area??

Thanks

Mark

ploddinTod

Here's one we did: drove to San Antonio and took highway 16 northwest to Bandera, which is a cowboy town. (Take some time to knock around the shops a little.) Continued on 16 to Medina which is a very pretty drive, then through Kerrville to Fredericksburg, where we spent the night.

Fredericksburg has plenty of nice shops for browsing, the Nimitz Musuem and several wineries in the area (Stonewall included) which have tasting rooms. The Texas wine industry has made some good progress.

Directly north of Fred. is Enchanted Rock State Park only 10 - 15 miles away.
And if you have time, you gotta climb that impressive granite dome.

Enjoy.

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PloddinTod

campermom

The parks of the Hill Country are all really nice. Some are in small towns which have very little to offer the tourist, others have many activities for the traveler. Winter time is nice but spring summer is great for enjoying the cool, spring =fed rivers which are in many parks.

Johnson City offers- Texas Star Vineyards, Perdernales Falls State Park, LBJ Ranch and Settlement, wildseed flower farm, motels, hotels, and a tourist friendly downtown.

Fredericksberg offers- Nimitz museum, Enchanted Rock State Park with great hiking, motels, hotels, and a touristy downtown.

Junction offers- South Llano River State Park, trout fishing in the park, lots of wildlife, a few motels, and a hunter/high school football friendly town ( Not big enough for a Wal-mart but we love it anyways).

Vanderpool offers- Very scenic drives, Lost Maples State Park with great hiking, no motels near the park ( that we could see), fish in the park, small town, this is real country here. Not sure about a grocery store, no Walmart, there's one in Kerrville. The drive from Lost Maples to Garner is stunning. We don't get a lot of hills in Texas but the winding roads of 83 are worth a slow drive.

Concan offers= the Frio River, Garner State Park, the granddaddy of 'em all. Great hiking, fishing, cabins for rent, nice in the winter but great in the summer.

Bandera-offers, loads of bed and breakfasts, Hill Country State Park with nice hiking, very touristy town, motels, hotels, dude ranches, movie theatres etc. This isn't a small town anymore but they will treat you like family.

These cities are about 1 hour away from each other ( approximate) in the order listed. You could day trip to some and stay over in others. Are you staying in a tent, travel trailer or motel?

We've enjoyed tent camping (water/electric sites) at Perdernales Falls, South Llano River, Lost Maples, and Garner. Enchanted Rock and Hill Country are primitive. Johnson City, Fredericksberg, and Bandera have several lodging choices.

Good luck deciding where to spend your time. Have fun.

Turn Key

Adding to what "Tod" posted:

1) If you like beer, The Fredericksburg Brewery makes their own. Very good! Nice place for lunch or a snack with your beer.
2) Dinner at "Der Linden Baun" (also in Fredericksburg) is our choice. Bit pricey but the best German cooking we've found.
3) In spring (April is usually best) driving the Willow City Loop is a must. Have a site:

http://www.lone-star.net/wildflowers/willowcityloop.htm

4) A day in Gruene (pronounced "green"), if fun. If the weather is nice and you have the time, you might try a float on the river.
5) Women tend to like Comfort, Texas for shopping.
6) If your going to camp, either Guadalupe River or Inks Lake State Parks would be my first choices. Varies depending on which end of the Hill Country you want to be in. Blanco State Park is also very nice. I have extensive reviews of all three posted on this web site. South Llano River State Park is also an outstanding place but is on the far western extreme of the Hill Country. Many like Garner State Park for the river access. Been there and saw nothing wrong with it but just didn't care for it.
7) Longhorn Caverns is a "must" if your in the area and like caves. It's just south of Inks Lake State Park and part of the Parks system. Have another site:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...nghorn_cavern/

Well, that's not near all of it but it should keep you busy for a while. If you'd like a look at the reviews I mentioned and can't find them here, let me know and I'll re-post the links. Hope you have a great trip and as always,

Happy Camping!

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rockhill

Well there is very little to add to the pevious 3 post. I will only say that nearly any direction you go will lead you to some beautiful places. You want shopping in small towns, historical sites, beautiful drives, lodging from tent camping to quaint bed&breakfast inns, all are available.
Enjoy you trip and unless your beliefs oppose it, enjoy some Texas Hill country wine while in the Hill Country. It just seems appropriate to me

QuestionMark

Thanks all...I don't think we'll be camping on this trip. Just sight-seeing from a motel probably. I'll check out all the links/areas listed above. I appreciate it.

riverrat

Just a little extra info...Uvalde isn't too far from Garner and Lost Maples (the drive is gorgeous) and I know they have hotels. You could check into Neal's Lodge in Concan on the Frio. They offer rustic cabins that may or may not work for you but they are in a beautiful location. If you do head to Lost Maples try the Lost Maples Cafe. Excellent food at great prices or if you want to grill, stop at the General Store (less than a block from the Cafe) and get a couple of their ribeyes. Enjoy whatever you decide to do!