Texas Hill Country is known for 100+ wineries, picturesque swimming holes, quaint small towns and unique attractions. There are beautiful Texas state parks in Hill Country, and many of them offer amazing hiking trails. Its one of the best regions of Texas to visit and a Hill Country road trip is the perfect way to get a taste of the best of the region.
Keep reading for a detailed 4-day Texas road trip itinerary that includes opportunities to hike, small towns to visit and unique activities to explore along the way.
When to Visit Texas Hill Country
Texas is known for being HOT in the summer months, so it’s best to avoid that time of year. However, if you are going to be there, the summer is a great time to visit the many swimming holes that Hill Country has to offer. Just make sure to drink a lot of water and pack your sunscreen.
Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as you’ll have mild weather. Spring is my favorite time of year in Texas because you can enjoy beautiful wildflowers, most notably the famous Texas bluebonnets. The peak bloom of bluebonnets varies, but typically your best time to see them is in April.
Winter is a quieter time. You’re unlikely to see snow or freezing temperatures, but it’s possible. You’ll probably also find some nice holiday decor and activities in the various towns, and especially in the big cities.
How to Get to Texas Hill Country
This road trip begins and ends in Austin, but you could certainly plan a similar trip starting from San Antonio too. Several airlines fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport everyday, making for a convenient and easy starting point.
There are not many public transportation options in Hill Country, so you’ll want to rent a car to get around.
If you're spending more time in Austin, check out my 4-day itinerary!
Texas Hill Country Road Trip Itinerary
Texas Hill Country Road Trip Map
Use this map to visualize the road trip route: each day is a different color!
Day One: Marble Falls
Start your road trip by heading to Inks Lake and Marble Falls, which are located about an hour and a half from Austin.
Marble Falls is a small Hill Country town known for its outdoor recreation and proximity to Inks Lake and Buchanan Lake. The town was founded in 1887 and is a great place to begin your action-packed road trip!
Hike or Swim in Inks Lake State Park
For your first stop near Marble Falls, don’t miss Inks Lake State Park. Inks Lake is a stunning Texas state park that offers hiking trails with water views, swimming opportunities and camping. I enjoyed the Valley Creek Spring Trail and the Pecan Flats Trail, which both provide some lovely views and many chances to admire the desert plants.
If it’s a hot day, Inks Lake is also a popular place to take a dip. You can also rent paddle boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards from the park!
Tour Longhorn Caverns
Longhorn Caverns is another Texas state park located just a couple minutes from Inks Lake. It’s very much worth it to visit both on the same trip!
The cave tour at Longhorn Caverns lasts about an hour and a half and you’ll learn all about the history and geology of the cave. The park was built in the 1930’s, when CCC workers cleared about 2.5 tons of debris out of the cave. Today, it’s a beautiful and protected cave full of interesting rocks, bats and crystal-covered walls. Make sure to reserve your cave tour in advance.
Pro Tip: You can get a discount on cave tours using your Texas state parks pass!
Torr Na Lochs Vineyard & Winery
Not far from Inks Lake and Longhorn Caverns, Torr Na Lochs is a winery up on a hill that offers stunning views overlooking Inks Lake and Buchanan Lake. Stop by and enjoy a wine tasting along with light bites.
Where to Stay in Marble Falls
After a day of hiking and exploring, head to the nearby town of Marble Falls to have dinner and spend the night.
If you’re looking for a relaxing and unique stay, the Missing Hotel outside of Marble Falls offers Geodesic domes and cabins that come with their small dip pools. It’s a beautiful property. If you prefer a hotel, a couple nice options in town are the Hidden Falls Inn and the La Quinta Inn.
Day Two: Fredericksburg
On day two of your road trip, drive to Fredericksburg, which is located about an hour from Marble Falls.
Fredericksburg is one of the most popular towns to visit in Hill Country for good reason. The town is well known for its German heritage and you’ll see those influences throughout the area. There are German restaurants and even a German Maypole in the Marktplatz (Market Square) in downtown.
Fredericksburg is a fantastic base for visiting wineries; there are so many options nearby. You may want to stop at one or more on your ride from Austin. A couple of my favorites nearby are Signor Vineyards and Kuhlman Cellars.
Hike in Enchanted Rock
This is an outdoorsy itinerary, so I have to recommend hiking in Enchanted Rock over everything else! Enchanted Rock is a Texas state park with a giant pink granite dome. It’s located about 20 minutes north of Fredericksburg. You can hike to the top of the dome and enjoy 360-views overlooking the countryside. In my opinion, Enchanted Rock is certainly one of the prettiest parts of Texas Hill Country.
In addition to the hike to the Summit, there are several other trails in the park too. This park is popular, so timed reservations are required to visit. Make sure to plan ahead and make your reservation ahead of time!
Visit Wildseed Farms
After a morning of hiking, explore a couple of peaceful places in Fredericksburg. I really love both Wildseed Farms and Das Peach Haus.
Wildseed Farms is the nation’s largest working wildflower farm. In the spring, you can enjoy fields of stunning flowers. Plus, there is a botanical garden area, a shop, wine tastings and more. It’s free to visit and the perfect place to take a stroll.
Kick Back at Das Peach Haus
Das Peach Haus is a specialty food and wine store with a serene backyard. It’s a great place to enjoy a slice of pie and a bottle of wine while admiring the pond outside. You can also sample and purchase their jams, sauces and more. It’s a great place to relax after a morning of exploring!
Sample German Food for Dinner
End your day at one of the German restaurants in downtown Fredericksburg. The All New Aldorf Biergarten and The Auslander both have outdoor patio seating, German beer and German cuisine such as schnitzel and sausages. For a more elegant choice, Otto’s German Bistro serves farm-to-table German cuisine using locally sourced ingredients.
Read my Fredericksburg itinerary for more ideas of what to do and see!
Where to Stay in Fredericksburg
If you like glamping, one unique place to stay right outside of Fredericksburg is Blue Skies Retro Resort. The property feels like you’ve just stepped into Palm Springs with pastel-colored trailers next to a refreshing pool.
Another great lodging option in Fredericksburg is a Bed & Breakfast (the small town is known for them). A couple to consider are Hoffman Haus and Southern Charm Bed and Breakfast.
If you prefer a hotel, there are tons to choose from in Fredericksburg. A couple within walking distance of downtown include Peach Tree Inn & Suites or The Winchester Lodge.
Day Three: Dripping Springs
On day three of your road trip, explore in and around Drippings Springs, which is located about an hour from Fredericksburg.
Dripping Springs is a tiny town known for its bird watching opportunities, for being popular for weddings and more. By now on the road trip, we’ve made our way back closer to Austin, so it makes sense that Dripping Springs is often referred to as “The Gateway to Hill Country.” There are some incredible swimming holes and oases right outside of Dripping Springs, along with an incredible Texas state park.
Visit a Texas Oasis
Both West Cave and Hamilton Pool Preserve are magical oases amidst the dry desert landscapes. I recommend choosing one that looks more interesting to you and visiting. You may be able to visit both, but reservations are required for each so it might be tough to coordinate.
West Cave is a grotto draped in green moss, plus there’s a cave right next to it. It’s a short hike to reach this beautiful spot, but you can only visit with a guide. Be sure to make your reservation in advance. It’s a bit expensive, but worth it in my opinion.
Hamilton Pool Preserve is another nearby oasis where there is a giant cave overhang and a waterfall. Like West Cave, reservations are required and it’s a short hike to reach it (no guide needed). However, the main difference from West Cave is that you can swim in Hamilton Pool Preserve!
Both West Cave and Hamilton Pool Preserve are beautiful places to have on your Texas bucket list.
Hike in Pedernales State Park
Pedernales State Park is an incredible place to hike and swim, and is definitely worth a stop on your Hill Country road trip. The most famous part of the park is a 300-million year old limestone “waterfall.” Waterfall is in quotations because it’s not so much as a waterfall as it is a collection of pools in limestone that slope downward. You can walk all over the rocks and explore.
If you have enough time, it’s worth hiking the 5.5 mile loop trail for a scenic overlook (it includes a river crossing) or the Wolf Mountain Trail, which includes some private swimming holes. There are also areas of the park where you can swim, tube, canoe or kayak.
Whether you spend the entire day or a couple hours, Pedernales has some of the best hiking in Texas Hill Country and is definitely worth a stop.
Enjoy Pizza and Drinks at Jester King
End day three of your road trip at one of my favorite breweries of all time - Jester King! This brewery and farm is situated on 41 acres of countryside. Not only do they brew their own beer, cider and wine, but they serve pizza made with fresh ingredients, and have a herd of dwarf goats.
A few things I love about this property are the interesting beers (farmhouse ales, barrel-aged brews and more), the unique pizza toppings (such as spiced pear, hot honey and pickled jalapeños) and how beautiful the property is (especially at sunset). Plus, they often have live music, and you’re likely to see some goats as you walk around.
It’s a fun place to spend the evening and located just 15 minutes outside of Dripping Springs.
For more things to do in Dripping Springs, read my guide!
Stay in Dripping Springs
One unique place to stay in Dripping Springs in Wanderin’ Star Farms. The property has beautiful cabins located on a countryside landscape with farm animals, a creek and lots of outdoor space. If you’d prefer to be closer to downtown Dripping Springs, the Holiday Inn and Courtyard hotels are also great options.
Day Four: Wimberley
On the final day of your road trip, explore in and around Wimberley, which is located 20 minutes south of Dripping Springs and 50 minutes from Austin.
Wimberley is the final town on this Texas road trip! Like all of the others, there are some beautiful places for outdoor recreation nearby. But Wimberley also has a fantastic, walkable downtown area full of great restaurants and shops. It’s a fun place to end your road trip!
Visit Jacob’s Well
Jacob’s Well is a unique natural spring located right outside of Wimberley. It is the second-largest fully submerged cave in Texas and the surrounding nature preserve holds a lot of ecological diversity.
In the past, you could swim here, but unfortunately swimming is now closed for the foreseeable future (due to low water levels). However, you can still hike and see this unique spot. It’s a little less than a mile trail to reach the spring, and you can look for turtles and fish in the water.
Swim at Blue Hole Regional Park
Blue Hole Regional Park offers a clear, blue swimming hole surrounded by shady cypress trees. It’s a serene environment where you can cool off and enjoy your afternoon. Along with the swimming area, the park also has hiking trails, bike paths and picnic areas. Note that reservations are required for swimming during peak times, you can make your reservation via Wimberley Parks and Recreation.
Have a Drink at the Shady Llama
Spend an afternoon enjoying Hill Country views, friendly llamas and locally sourced beer and wine. The Shady Llama is a beer garden just outside of Wimberley that has a few llamas for you to see. Plus, they have a food truck. It’s a fun atmosphere and a great stop to make near Wimberley.
Explore Downtown Wimberley
Spend the evening exploring downtown Wimberley and the surrounding town. Wimberley Square has a variety of shops and restaurants, plus some cute murals. A few places to check out include The Gypsy Market for clothing, Hill Country Wine Shoppe for a wine tasting and Chills on the Creek for beer on an outdoor patio.
If you’re looking for more nature, Cypress Creek is a great park located right next to Wimberley Square. It offers some peaceful views of the creek and cypress trees, and connects to Blue Hole regional Park.
For dinner, check out The Leaning Pear or Community Pizza and Beer Garden. The Leaning Pear serves locally sourced food, while Community Pizza has some great pizza and a wide beer selection.
You may want to climb to the top of Old Baldy for sunset. This is a hill where you’ll climb up 218 steps to get lovely 360 views of the Wimberley Valley. It’s about 0.1 miles to reach the top.
For more fun things to do in Wimberley, check out my guide!
Where to Stay in Wimberley
Wimberley has some beautiful and unique glamping properties! For a luxurious option, check out Collective Hill Country or The Yurtopian. Collective Hill Country has safari tents with fantastic views, while The Yurtopian has beautiful yurts.
I stayed in a much more affordable glamping option - inside an Airstream! Basecamp and Happy Camper are two neighboring Airstreams that you can book on Airbnb.
The Basecamp airstream was thoughtfully decorated with geometric patterned pillows and blankets, turquoise appliances and a rainbow throw blanket. While the inside was great, the outdoor section was extra special - there was a hot tub, hanging hammock chairs, a firepit and twinkle lights. The property was super close to town, while still being very secluded and peaceful.
If you prefer a hotel closer to downtown, a couple nice ones are Hotel Flora and Fauna or Square Inn.
Final Thoughts
I hope this guide helps you plan an epic road trip in Hill Country! From hiking in Texas state parks to wine tastings to glamping, this region of Texas is perfect for an outdoorsy weekend and a mix of activities.
For more information on Texas Hill Country, check out these blogs:
- 40+ Things To Do in Texas Hill Country
- The Best Hiking Trails in Texas Hill Country
- How to Spend 4 Days in Austin
- The Perfect Fredericksburg Weekend Itinerary
- Fun Things To Do in Wimberley, Texas
- The Best Things To Do in Dripping Springs, Texas
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