The beautiful Texas Hill Country is nationally renowned for its gorgeous scenery, growing wine culture, and the frontier towns in the hill country. The region is known for everything from historical stances on war-related matters to barbecue shootouts amongst rival pit-masters. The Hill Country is rich with culture, and each town is famous for something all its own. Below are some of the frontier towns in the area that make up the Texas Hill Country.
Bandera, Texas – Bandara named the “Cowboy Capital of the World” site of bloody battles between Apache and Comanche Indians, and the Spanish Conquistadors got its name from the Bandera Rojo (red banner or flag) that flew to define the boundary between hunting grounds. In addition, this Bandara area was the staging area for the last great cattle drives of the late 1800s.
San Marcos – Like Austin and San Antonio, San Marcos was settled at the base of the Balcones Escarpment and is known as one of the primary entry points to the greater Hill Country area. In addition, it is the home of Texas State University, a fast-growing institute with a crystal clear river that flows through campus.
Boerne – Boerne is the beautiful, family-friendly town between San Antonio and Kerrville. Recently, it has become a popular place for San Antonio executives to purchase land and build homes so they can live in a pleasant small town with a modest commute to the office.
Don’t miss the Cave Without a Name, a natural cavern with formations of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and more. They also host several performances and concerts in the cave rooms throughout the year.
New Braunfels – Another Hill Country entryway is the famous town of New Braunfels, situated between San Antonio and Austin. This tiny river town plays host to the second most populous Oktoberfest in America. The Comal River and Guadalupe River, ideal for floating, swimming, and fishing, are flowing through the neighborhoods.
Wimberley – Wimberley is a frontier town tucked away in the hills 20 minutes from San Marcos. You can catch a glimpse of a tiny square in the middle of town as you drive along the main road. Maybe what drives people to move here are the picturesque homes on heavily wooded land. In addition to the views are Blue Hole, a favorite swimming spot along the main road, and Jacob’s Well, a small pool of water that goes as deep as 120 feet, leading to several underground tunnels that cave divers have explored for scientific research.
Canyon Lake/Spring Branch – A bit more secluded from the city scene, Canyon Lake and Spring Branch are two tiny towns west of New Braunfels. Canyon Lake itself is a well-known travel destination for vacationers who want a place to relax on the lake, go swimming, or take the boat out for a weekend of fun in the sun. It is also the home of the Whitewater Amphitheater, a gorgeous outdoor music venue along the Guadalupe River banks that attract national touring acts. Spring Branch became a city at the end of 2015 and has been a popular place for people aiming to buy plots of land to build their dream home or take up farming and ranching.
Fredericksburg – As one of the capital cities of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg has stayed true to its German roots over the years. However, they speak a unique dialect! Texas German came about when first-generation settlers initially refused to speak English.
Kerrville – The oldest settlement in Texas (with evidence of human life present over 10,000 years ago!), you will find a plethora of history with the Hill Country Museum and the Museum of Western Art
Luckenbach, Texas – is famous for its small size and big culture. With a population of 3, it is officially the smallest town in Texas. However, the tiny town is well-known for its western feel and hosts several country music concerts throughout the year. Willie Nelson has helped keep the name of Luckenbach relevant in the country music world by throwing picnics and special concerts in this tiny town.
Blanco – About an hour west of Austin, Blanco is a sleepy town with a long history. It has the honor of being named the “Lavender Capital of Texas” and hosts a Lavender Festival in the spring. Its antique western look has inspired many to film in Blanco due to the courthouse and surrounding area. Filmmakers have used the town in the making of “True Grit.”
