This realistic List of Best Places helps you pick the top spots to visit in the Texas Hill Country.

The Hill Country is an iconic region of the Lone Star State. It spans for hundreds of miles (km) across Central Texas and South Texas.

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The Hill Country is an area between Highways I-35, US-90, US-190, and US-377. Austin (East), Del Rio (West), San Antonio (South) and Brady (West) are rough boundaries of the region.

Some 3.8 million people live in the Hill Country. Over 2 million people visit its parks and sights every year. This number will keep growing as more and more people discover this wonderful region.

There are a lot of top destinations to visit in the Hill Country. Summits and caves, refuges and buildings, rivers and lakes await you there. But unless you have a week to explore, you need to prioritize the sights.

This List of the Best Places to Visit in the Texas Hill Country covers key destinations. It could help create your own list for your next trip. Pick a few must-visit destinations or add a few spots off-the-beaten path.

1. Colorado Bend

Colorado Bend State Park is the by far the best place to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park has a great variety of sights for $5 per adult. There is a river, waterfall, creeks, canyons, hills, and caves.

Colorado Bend is a paradise for hikers in Central Texas. This park has 15 hiking trails that total 35 miles (56 km) in distance. The trails range from easy to difficult. There is a sizable elevation gain on most trails.

You should not miss Gorman Falls and Spicewood Springs. The former is a destination trail that leads you to a beautiful waterfall. The latter is all about the process. Creek crossings and falls make it a fun path.

A fairly remote location is the only downside of Colorado Bend. The park is some 2 hours northwest from Austin. A trip from San Antonio is at least 30 minutes longer. Houston and Dallas might be out of reach.

2. Garner

Garner State Park is a close second best place to visit in the Texas Hill Country. If Colorado Bend is near the northern boundary of the region, this park is at its southwestern edge.

There is an activity for everyone at Garner. You could hike 16 miles (26 km) of trails, paddle on the river, or join an evening dance. It all costs $8 per person.

Old Baldy and the Frio River are the must-visit sights in Garner. The summit is a nice workout for beginner and avid hikers. The river is pure relaxation. It is a great place for paddling, tubing, and wading.

A remote location is also a problem for Garner. You need to budget 90 minutes to reach the park from San Antonio. The closest places to stay are also a comparable drive from the park.

3. Pedernales Falls

Pedernales Falls State Park is the third best place to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park has a great combination of waterfalls, springs, and winding trails. They more than justify $6 per adult entrance fee.

Chances are you will find a path for you out of 45 miles (72 km) of hiking trails. Some of them also allow mountain bike and horseback riders. You could choose your own way to explore Pedernales Falls.

Pedernales Falls, Twin Falls, and Jones Spring are the highlights of the park. You could count on getting great pictures from the signature falls. Swimming is off limits in that part of the river.

Pedernaless Falls has an advantage over both Colorado Bend and Garner. It is closer to Austin and San Antonio, the major cities in the Hill Country. There are also more BBQ spots and places to stay nearby.

4. McKinney Falls

McKinney Falls State Park is one of the best places to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park is an outdoor oasis in the city. You do not need to leave Austin to visit this scenic park.

This location is a blessing and a curse. Crowds are common at McKinney Falls. $6 per person fee does little to stop overcrowding. Get ready to wait for 5 to 10 minutes at the creek crossing at the Lower Falls.

Upper and Lower Falls are the highlights of the park. You should also stop by the Rock Shelter, Bouldering Rocks, and Old Baldy. In the case of McKinney Falls, it refers to a 500 year old cypress tree.

The Old Rock House and Williamson Creek Overlook round up the list of park sights during most of the year. But you should see the Bluebonnet Meadow when these wildflowers are in bloom.

5. Enchanted Rock

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is another great place to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park is in the center of the region. It is slightly closer to San Antonio than to Austin.

A granite dome is the main reason some quarter million people visit Enchanted Rock every year. The Summit Trail is the most popular park attraction. But there are 10 more miles (16 km) of hiking trails.

You could reach Moss Lake to capture the dome reflections in the water. Join a rock climbing group to summit Turkey Peak. Or go through the Echo Canyon between Enchanted Rock and Little Rock summits.

No matter what trail you choose to hike make sure to book your spot in advance. Enchanted Rock routinely sells out even despite the $8 per person entrance fee.

6. Balcones Canyonlands

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is a lesser known place to visit in the Texas Hill Country. Yet, this park is one of the best places to experience the region. You just need to do your research.

The trails at this refuge near Austin are open year round with no blackout dates or holidays. But the visitor center is a different story. You could only get advice from a ranger on a weekday.

Head to Doeskin Ranch for the best views in Balcones Canyonlands. The Rimrock Trail and Indiangrass Trail are worth effort. The Shin Oak Observation Deck and Sunset Deck are great quick stops.

It is free to visit Balcones Canyonlands. But you could only enjoy the trails on foot. No bikes, horses, or pets are allowed in the refuge. On the bright side, you have a chance to see a couple native birds.

7. San Antonio Missions

San Antonio Missions is a group of historic churches and fortresses. They date back to the 18th century, Spanish colonization, and Texas Revolution. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is free to visit.

There are 5 missions to visit in San Antonio. But you should think of them as the Alamo and the other 4 sites. The Alamo is just far more popular than Missions Concepcion, San Jose, San Juan, and Espada.

You need to book a free timed entry ticket and find parking to visit the Alamo church. No advance preparation is necessary to visit all other missions. You just need to visit during the opening hours.

Experienced hikers could still make a visit to San Antonio Missions worthwhile. There is a 16-mi (24-km) multi-use trail that connects all missions, Espada Dam, and Espada Aqueduct.

8. Muleshoe Bend

Muleshoe Bend Recreation Area is among the best places to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park on the Colorado River is less than an hour from Austin.

At $5 per adult, it is an affordable destination to visit in the region. There are no waterfalls or caves to explore in the park. Lake Travis and almost 10 miles (16 km) of trails await Muleshoe Bend visitors.

Muleshoe Bend is just another park on Lake Travis during most of the year. Visitors drive there to disconnect and enjoy the lakeshore. But everything changes in March and April.

This is the time when bluebonnets bloom in the Texas Hill Country. Visitors from all over the state drive to Muleshoe Bend to admire wildflower fields on the shore.

9. Lost Maples

Lost Maples State Natural Area is a solid destination to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park is in the “Swiss Alps of Texas”, an area between Highways I-10 and US-90.

These rugged mountains and hills are a sight to see for $6 per adult. You are welcome to hike 10 miles (16 km) of trails to the Monkey Rock, Grotto, Pond, creeks, and springs.

Just like Muleshoe Bend, Lost Maples has the best time to visit. But in this case it is not spring. You should try finding these lost maples during the fall foliage season in late October and early November.

Lost Maples give Texans a way to experience fall foliage. Still, it is not even close to the Northeast or the Midwest states. Check out fall foliage in New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois.

10. Guadalupe River

Guadalupe River State Park rounds up the top 10 best places to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park is always busy thanks to its proximity to San Antonio. A $7 per person fee applies to all adult visitors.

Guadalupe River offers you access to the same name river and sights along its shores. You could explore the river rapids and cliff top viewpoints. Or hike to the Rust House and the Bauer House.

Birding might be one of the best activities in Guadalupe River. You could see Cliff Swallows, Painted Buntings, Barred Owls, and Golden-cheeked Warblers with a bit of luck.

Wading, tubing, and paddling on the Guadalupe River are also an option during warmer months. It is one of the few ways to get a relief from the Texas heat in the summer.

11. Longhorn Cavern

Longhorn Cavern is the best cave to visit in the Texas Hill Country. You might not place too much value on this title. But the region is home to countless caves. There are 400 caves in Colorado Bend alone.

You could hike the park trails and visit the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) structures free of charge. But the main treasure of the park is underground. You could only see Longhorn Cavern on a guided tour.

These tours are run by a private company. It employs a dynamic pricing model. You will pay more for the tours on the weekends, holidays, and high season. A walking cave tour costs at least $22.5 per adult.

Still, this cave is worth a visit. It is the cheapest cave to tour in the region. It has a long history, too. Few other caves were once a dance hall, bar, and a wedding venue. These stories might justify the price.

12. Honey Creek

Honey Creek State Natural Area is one of the best places to visit in the Hill Country. This park is right next to Guadalupe River. It is free to visit and protects a beautiful creek with palmetto and cypress trees.

It should be much higher on the list of the best places then. If you go off the natural beauty alone, Honey Creek deserves a better place. But you cannot ignore a major restriction.

Honey Creek is only open to guided hikes on weekends, leaving just a couple of hours for exploration. You have to register for the hike in advance. It is “free” with a $2 per person suggested donation.

Nearly all guided hikes start early in the morning. You need to leave early or check in at a place to stay nearby the night before. This is a lot more preparation than most visitors expect when visiting a park.

13. LBJ Ranch

The Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch is a unique destination to visit in the Texas Hill Country. It is both a National Historical Park and a State Park. Both parks are free to visit but have a few restrictions.

The state park gives you a chance to explore a living history farm. This farm from the early 1900s displays a homestead and farming tools of the time. There are live animals at this farm, too.

You should drive to the LBJ Ranch to learn more about the legacy of the former President. The Texas White House remains off limits to the public. Restoration will take another few years to complete.

But the Junction School, Air Force 1/2, and Show Barn offer plenty of things to see. Do not miss Texas Longhorns, American Buffaloes, and Herefords herds. Cattle has a right of way in the park.

14. Inks Lake

Inks Lake State Park is a nice place to visit on a trip through the Texas Hill Country. This park is next to Highway TX-29 and Longhorn Cavern State Park. Yet, it is quite different from its neighboring park.

It is easy to think about Inks Lake as just another lake park in Texas. But this park is more than a swimming hole in the summer. Otherwise, how would you justify its $7 per adult fee?

You could hike to the Devil’s Waterhole and Valley Spring Creek Waterfall. Get ready to reach 1,000 ft in elevation and enjoy the views of the surroundings.

See the underwater trees at the Stumpy Hollow. They could give Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona a run for its money. Or take the Fisherman’s Trails to the fishing pier and another viewpoint.

15. Grelle

Grelle Recreation Area rounds up this list of the best places to visit in the Texas Hill Country. This park is next door to Muleshoe Bend, the bluebonnet destination in the spring.

Grelle is easy to reach from the Capital of Texas. Yet, few people visit this Central Texas park. The $5 fee will not stand in the way. You have a better chance to take in the region’s beauty without crowds.

There are 8 miles (13 km) of hiking trails in the park. The varying difficulty of the trails makes the journey through Grelle more enjoyable. You will hike uphill and downhill along Lake Travis.

The Scenic Overlook and the Hawkeye Point are great destinations to reach. Make sure to stop at the Bridle Pass to admire bluebonnets if you visit Grelle in the spring.

Takeaways: Best Places to Visit in Texas Hill Country

The Texas Hill Country is a fantastic region to visit in the Southwest. Limestone and granite hills, wildflowers and rivers make the Lone Star State well worth your time and travel budget.

Austin and San Antonio are the main gateways to the Texas Hill Country. You could reach most sights in the region in under 2 hours from either city. Such distances makes them great day or weekend trip spots.

Both cities have expanding airports with a growing number of direct flights. You should be able to find one that works with your schedule and budget. Rent a car to reach the parks in the region easily.

As a result, the Hill Country is an easier place to visit than Northern California or Black Hills. There are far fewer national parks in the Lone Star State. But the state, county, and metro parks are just as stunning.

Buy a Texas State Parks Pass to save on admission fees. And rent a gasoline car to have an easy going trip. The number of electric vehicle chargers in the Hill Country is still quite low. But it is trending up.

Unless you visit the Texas Hill Country in the summer or winter, weather is not going to be a problem. You could explore the sights year round. But early spring and late fall are some of the best times to visit.

Take a look at this Video List of the Best Places to Visit in Texas Hill Country. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

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