Compiled by Blanco County News staff and
Ralph De Leon, owner of Blanco County Inn & Blanco Guesthouses

Visit Blanco County, shop at our stores and dine at our great restaurants, and spend the weekend in one of our hotels — then take to the road and visit these other Hill Country destinations!

These day trips are a quick jaunt from Blanco, Johnson City, and Round Mountain on scenic roadways that wind through the region.

See our maps of Blanco County and the area.

DRIPPING SPRINGS — From Blanco, take US 281 north 7.7 miles and take a right onto US 290 East. From Johnson City, take US 281 south for 5.5 miles and take a left onto US 290 East. Go 18.6 miles into Dripping Springs. Points of interest: New Canaan Farms for gourmet condiments, Historic Pound Family Farmstead & Museum, Founders City Park, shopping in historical downtown area and restaurants.

FREDERICKSBURG — From Blanco take RR 1623 west approximately 21 miles to US 290, turn left on US 290, and go 16 miles to Fredericksburg. From Johnson City, take US 290 west 37 miles. Points of interest: National Museum of the Pacific War, Main Street Shopping, Pioneer Museum Complex, Vereins Kirche Museum, Ft. Martin Scott Historic Site, National Historic District, local wineries. Wildseed Farms is on the way!

LUCKENBACH — From Blanco take RR 1623 west 5 miles, take a left on RR 1888, go 21 miles, take a right on RR 1326, and go 5 miles to Luckenbach. From Johnson City, take US 290 west for 25 miles, turn left on to RR 1326, and go 2.5 miles to Luckenbach.

STONEWALL — From Blanco take RR 1623 west 21 miles to US 290. From Johnson City take US 290 west 17 miles. Points of interest: Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, peach orchards. Wildseed Farms 7 miles east.

KENDALIA — From Blanco and Johnson City, take CR 102 south to the community of Kendalia. Points of interest: Kendalia Store and Kendalia Dance Halle.

GRUENE — From Blanco and Johnson City, take US 281 south 12 miles from Blanco to RR 306, turn left on RR 306, go 25 miles to Gruene. Points of interest: Historic District of Gruene, Tubing on the Guadalupe River, wine tasting, Gruene Market Days, Hunter Rd. Stagecoach Stop, and Gruene Hall.

BOERNE — From Blanco and Johonson City, go south on US 281 from Blanco for 20 miles to Hwy 46. Turn right on Hwy. 46, go west 20 miles to Boerne. Points of interest: Boerne City Lake, Cave Without a Name, Cibolo Nature Center, Cinnamon Creek Butterfly Exhibit, and Main Street shopping.

WIMBERLEY — From Blanco, take 4th Street/State Loop 163 east, turn left onto RR 165, and go for 7.5 miles. Turn right onto RR 2325 and go 15.7 miles. Turn right onto Ranch Road 12 and take it .2 miles into Wimberley. From Johnson City, take US 281 south 5.2 miles. Turn left onto US 290 and go east for 18.6 miles. Turn right onto RR 12 and travel for 14.4 miles into Wimberley. Points of interest: Bella Vista Ranch (olive grove and olive mill), wineries, shopping, Market Days first Saturday of the month, art galleries, swimming at the Blue Hole, Pioneer Town, bed & breakfasts, dining.

MARBLE FALLS — Take US 281 north. Marble Falls is 22.8 miles north of Johnson City. Points of interest: Lake LBJ, boating, Lakeside Park, fishing, golfing, hunting, camping, swimming, movie theater, family fun center (minigolf, minibowling, arcade games), Wal-Mart, sightseeing, shopping in historical area.

Canyon Lake — Known as the Water Recreation Capital of Texas. Travel down US 281 to FM 311, take a left to head east, take a left at FM 3159 and another at Startz Rd.

EDGE FALLS — Beautiful waterfall on the Guadelupe. Take US 281 for 7 miles south of Blanco and take a right on RM 473 (south of the RM 473 that heads east). After 7.4 miles, take a left at Edge Falls Rd. Head south to the crossing with the Guadelupe River.

WILLOW CITY LOOP — From Blanco and Johnson City, go north on US 281 out of Johnson City for 5 miles to RR 1323. Turn left and go 25 miles to Willow City. Point of interest: Beautiful, scenic 13 mile drive, especially when the bluebonnets are in bloom.

Devil’s Backbone — Very scenic drive. Take US 281 south of Blanco to Hwy. 32. Take a left onto Hwy. 32 and drive around 18 miles to the Devil’s Backbone.

FISCHER STORE LOOP — From Blanco, take US 281 south 2 miles. Turn left onto RR 32, go 11.1 miles. Turn left onto FM 484 .2 miles into Fischer. Fischer Store, a Texas landmark, was built in 1902 and previously served the community as post office, bank, and saloon. Store open on Wednesdays through Sunday afternoons.

OLD TUNNEL Wildlife Management Area — From Blanco and Johnson City, take directions to Fredericksburg and look for the “Old Tunnel Wildlife Area” sign a half mile before the city. Turn left (south) on Old San Antonio Rd. and go 10.5 miles. From May to October, visitors come to watch the bats emerge from the tunnel each night.

Blanco State Park — Located inside the Blanco city limits, on the Blanco River! Take US 281 for 3 blocks south of the Square. Turn right off the highway to get to the park entrance. Camping, picnicking, swimming, hiking, fishing. Facilities include restrooms, full hookup campsites, screened shelters, picnic areas, group picnic pavilion, playgrounds, and more.

ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA — From Fredericksburg, take RR 965 north 18 miles. Primitive backpacking, camping, hiking, technical and rock climbing, picnicking, geological study, bird watching, and star gazing.

GUADALUPE RIVER State Park & HONEY CREEK State Natural Area — From Blanco and Johnson City, take US 281 south from Blanco for 20 miles, turn right on Hwy 46, go 8 miles, turn right on Guadalupe River State Park Rd. Camping, picnicking, hiking trails, fishing, swimming, wildlife.

INKS LAKE STATE PARK — Take US 281 north, through Marble Falls. Turn left onto Park Road 4 S and go for 12.3 miles. Park Camping, RV’s, shelters, picnicking, 7.5 miles of hiking trails, boating, water skiing, fishing, golfing, swimming, watchable wildlife, facilities for handicapped, and store.

PEDERNALES FALLS State Park — From Blanco, go to Johnson City, turn right on FM 2766, go 9 miles to State Park. Fishing, picnicking, swimming, hiking trails, mountain biking, equestrian trails, nature trails, and historical site and structure.

Pedernales River Nature Park — Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has opened this new park for limited public recreational day-use, such as fishing and picnicking. The property is located in Johnson City, US 281 at Davis Dr.

A selection of caves are in the Central Texas area — Natural Bridge Caverns (north of San Antonio), Cave Without a Name (south of Spring Branch), Wonder Cave (part of Wonder World Park near San Marcos), Cascade Caverns (near Boerne), and Longhorn Caverns State Park (near Burnet).

Blanco River Lavender Company — From the traffic light in Blanco, go west on Ranch Road 1623 for 3.1 miles. The farm driveway is on the right, just before the Trainer-Wuest Road turnoff.

Chantilly Lace Country Inn & Lavender Farm — Located in Johnson City, this bed & breakfast, lavender farm, and gift shop is close to everything, from downtown Johnson City to area cities and attractions. Handmade soaps are sold in the gift shop. Take Nugent Ave./Spur 365 north from US 290 and turn left at 625 Nugent Ave.

Heron’s Nest Herb Farm — Take RR 165 for 4 miles out of Blanco and turn right on CR 407 over the low water crossing and go one more mile, then turn right on River Bend. Follow the curvy road for 2 miles. The farm is at the end of the road at 1673 River Bend Dr.

Hill Country Lavender — Travel north on US 281, 3.5 miles from the light in Blanco. They are located on the right-hand side of the road on the hill behind McCall Creek Farm store. Look for the pink tractor.

Miller Creek Lavender — Located 10 feet north of the US 281/US 290 intersection between Blanco and Johnson City. Turn left on Miller Creek Loop (CR 203). They are 4/10 of a mile on the right.

Texas Lavender Hills — From Blanco, continue to follow US 281 south, turn right onto Main St. (at Blanco State Park). Main St. becomes Fulcher St. Turn left onto CR-102/Kendalia Rd., continue to follow CR-102 for 5 miles, turn right into Texas Lavender Hills.

Wimberley Lavender Farm — From Blanco, take Hwy 165, then turn right on FM 2325, go 4 miles to 11300 FM 2325. From Wimberley, the farm is 11 miles from the high school on FM 2325.

Located in the second most visited wine region in the United States, Johnson City is the starting point for the 290 Wine Trail. Wineries host special events all year long. For a trail map and links to wineries, visit wineroad290.com.

Real Ale Brewing Company — Located in the north part of Blanco, on San Saba Ct., east off US 281. Tours every Friday; call 830-833-2534.