Texas Hill Country Scenic Drives
Discover the Magic of Texas Hill Country Scenic Drives.
There's something captivating about pointing your car toward the horizon and letting the Texas Hill Country unfold before you. It's like watching a movie or having a living postcard.
Take a natural break from the routine of daily life.
Consider it a pause that blends natural beauty with culinary adventures, and genuine Texas charm.
The Texas Hill Country scenic drives will have you planning your next trip before you have even made it home.
This isn't just another road trip—it's your invitation. An invitation to slow down and breathe in fresh air.
An invitation to discover why this rolling landscape has captured hearts for generations.
You can map out every stop. Or you can leave room for those spontaneous detours that quite often become the best memories. Either way, TexyHills welcomes you with endless possibilities.
The beauty here isn't just the destinations but in every curve of the road. Every moment you realize that time isn't a factor, you'll know that a Texas Hill Country scenic drive is for you.
Fredrecksburg's Willow City loop
Although this is a relatively short trip, it is one of the best Texas Hill Country scenic drives out there. The very best time for this trip is the spring.
Start your morning off in Fredericksburg with some coffee and kolaches from Hill Country Donuts & Kolaches. Then head north on Ranch Road 965 toward the legendary Willow City Loop.
Wildflower season comes alive along this stretch of road. Ribbons of bluebonnets and Indian paintbrush garnish both sides of the road. A definite must-see.
The loop itself only takes about 30 minutes to an hour if you drive straight through. But you won't. The scenery on this 13-mile loop will burst with such wildfire color that you will want to be taking pictures instead of driving. Take your time.
After completing the loop, you may want to continue north to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. Think ahead, though. They require entrance passes. The last time I went, they were open but already booked.
Spend a few hours hiking the huge pink granite dome. It's about 1.5-miles round trip to the summit. But once you're up there, your reward is the 360-degree views of TexyHills.
Then circle back for a tasting at Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten or grab lunch at the charming Alamo Springs Café in Fredericksburg.
Then spend the rest of your day exploring Fredericksburg's Main Street by popping into galleries, antique shops, and tasting rooms.
End your day with dinner at Vaudeville, or Mamacita's if you're in that sort of mood.
This could also turn into an overnighter if you want it to. Select one of Fredericksburg's B&Bs or maybe a cabin at Texas Wine Country Jellystone Park.
Lunch in Bandera
For those who want to experience the Hill Country's dramatic landscapes and quirky small-town charm, this is a good one.
Start off in San Marcos and take Ranch Road 12 west. Stop at the Devil's Backbone Tavern for some breakfast tacos and take in the view from their deck.
This portion of RR 12 and RR32 is part of the a stretch known as The Devil's Backbone. It ranks among the most scenic drives in all of Texas.
Next, just settle in and enjoy the ride (and scenery) on your way to Bandera. Make a stop or two, take a few pictures and explore small towns along the way. No rush.
Once you hit Bandera (the "Cowboy Capital of the World"), stopping at the OST Restaurant is a must. Chicken-fried steak is an excellent choice.
When Judy and I were there, we ate breakfast. That's our thing. And honestly, it was as good as I have ever had.
You'll see when you get there that OST stands for Old Spanish Trail. Go on inside and pull up a saddle at the bar, or maybe eat in the John Wayne room. You'll love it.
Longhorn in Bandera fitted with a saddle.While in Bandera you will be experiencing authentic cowboy culture. If the timing's right, you might even be able to catch a rodeo.
From here you've got a choice...
Actual round trip driving time to return home now, through Bulverde and some new scenery, would be roughly 4 hours.
If you carry on to other beautiful parts of TexyHills, such as The Twisted Sisters, Lost Maples State Natural Area, or Garner State Park, it will take more time and you might need to spend the night.
Either way, you can't lose.
If you don't want to go home just yet, consider staying at the Foxfire Cabins in Vanderpool. That puts you right in the middle of the Sisters, Lost Maples, and Garner.
Texas hill country scenic drive to highland lakes
Begin your day in Marble Falls with some mid-morning coffee at the Blue Bonnet Café. It's been a Hill Country institution since 1929 where the the atmosphere is pure Americana and the pies are baked fresh daily.
Spend an hour or so exploring downtown Marble Falls' galleries and shops. Be sure to include The Old Oak Square. Then continue north on Highway 281 to Burnet.
Stop in at the Fort Croghan Museum and Grounds to stretch your legs and take a peek at frontier history.
Continue west on Highway 29 to Torr Na Lochs, for a glass and some epic views. Relax there until you are on your way to Inks Lake State Park down Park Road 4W.
After a stroll at the Inks Lake shoreline, pull into Perissos Vineyards if you're up for a quick sampling of 100% Texas wines.
View of the Colorado River from RM 1431.If you've got time, you can take a 90-minute cavern tour of the fascinating Longhorn Caverns.
If not, then on to Kingsland for a lunch at The Potato Shack.
After lunch, take Ranch Road 1431 through the rolling hills back toward Marble Falls.
This loop takes a couple of hours of actual driving time. It's pretty short compared to some of the other drives.
But you will definitely want to budget more time so you can make a number of those unexpected stops
Just like this stop I made on RM 1431 to take this shot looking back toward Kingsland.
If you would like a lake resort stay, I would recommend Horseshoe Bay Resort back in Marble Falls.
San antonio to kerrville
Start on San Antonio’s north side and head to Boerne to walk the Hill Country Mile and tour Cave Without a Name just outside town.
Grab yourself a little brunch at Peggy’s on the Green (inside the historic Kendall), or The Creek.
Continue on to Comfort for tastings at Bending Branch Winery and Singing Water Vineyards.
Take time to stroll the downtown area too. You will see what Comfort is known for... the preserved historic German-immigrant architecture.
And if you love treasure hunting, stop in at the Comfort Antique Mall.
Cruise on in to Kerrville to walk along the Guadalupe River’s paved River Trail.
Dine at Rails, a Café at the Depot, set in the fully-restored historic 1915 Kerrville Train depot.
Drive time for this trip is not much more than 2 hours. But, plan your 6–8 stops, and turn it into a day.
If you decide to extend it even more, stay at Kerrville’s Y O Ranch Hotel. The Western elegance and Hill Country hospitality create an unforgettable memory.
Or you could head back into Boerne and stay at The Kendall, where history meets luxury, at a beautifully restored 1859 stagecoach stop.
beautiful Ancient land
What makes Texas Hill Country scenic drives so captivating is the variety in such a compact area. Within the space of two hours you move from rolling prairies, through limestone plateaus with spring-fed rivers and dramatic elevation changes, to rugged lands with endless views.
The geology here tells a story millions of years in the making. Ancient seabeds created this landscape you see today. This mineral-rich soil is the foundation that make Hill Country wines so distinctive.
The sun filters through live oak and cedar and onto limestone and wildflowers, drawing photographers from all over.
This isn't dusty old desert Texas. It's a land of abundance, where cold aquifers run clear from underground, vineyards thrive on hillside terraces, and every season brings its own beauty.