Burnet County: Lakes, Caves and Hill Country History

Discover Burnet County through its water, rock formations, nature and history. The Stumpy Hollow Paddling Trail is a 3.4-mile loop through a quiet cove. Fully submerged trees and outcrops of granite and gneiss shape the route. Here, a distinctive shoreline landscape meets striking rock formations. The Highland Lakes offer another way to experience the landscape: five artificial lakes were created by dams on the Colorado River.

Lakes, Paddling Routes and the Road

At Inks Lake State Park, you can swim, boat, water-ski, scuba dive and fish. The choices range from activities on the water to fishing. The Devil’s Waterhole Paddling Trail is a shorter, 1.7-mile loop. If you’re planning a drive through the landscape rather than a water route, Park Road 4 offers a 15-mile historic road: it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps and makes for a scenic drive through the Hill Country. The different routes and activities can be chosen to suit the focus of your stay, without assuming they all offer the same kind of outing.

Nature and Outings at Different Paces

The Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the nesting grounds of the black-capped vireo and the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. Visitors can enjoy overlooks and 10 miles of hiking trails. Canyon of the Eagles also combines nature experiences with activity: it offers panoramic views of Lake Buchanan, along with several miles of hiking trails. For a different perspective on the Colorado River, take the Ultimate Eagle Cruise with Vanishing Texas River Cruises. The four-hour trip departs from Lake Buchanan and travels the river’s entire navigable length; the sights described include waterfalls, eagles and a diverse array of wildlife. This gives you a clear time frame for planning the cruise, while the hiking areas provide a guide to the distances along their trails.

History, Stages and Collections

The history of the Civilian Conservation Corps is present at several sites. The Corps cleared Longhorn Cavern and built the park facilities and scenic access road in the 1930s. Today, Longhorn Cavern State Park offers guided cave tours, hiking trails, picnic areas and an exhibit about the Corps. Fort Croghan features authentically furnished pioneer log cabins, a working blacksmith shop, a one-room schoolhouse, an original stagecoach station, a syrup mill and original buildings from the former frontier fort.

Stages and collections also add to the cultural program. The Globe Theatre in Bertram is a restored Art Deco movie theater dating from 1935. It hosts live music, classic films, comedy shows, themed dance parties and special events. The Hill Country Motorheads Museum features restored and original motorcycles from the 1960s to the 1980s. The Highland Lakes Squadron is a working museum that aims to preserve historic World War II aircraft and other valuable artifacts. The operator describes Spider Mountain as the only year-round, lift-served bike park in the United States.

Wine Tastings and Annual Traditions

Perissos Vineyards offers casual tastings of six wines from its selection, with no reservations required. Torr Na Lochs offers wine tastings served at your table, featuring wines made from 100 percent Texas-grown fruit. The two offerings differ both in tasting format and in how their wines are described. The Burnet Bluebonnet Festival is an annual tradition featuring live music, carnival attractions, family-friendly activities, classic cars, races, food, shopping and antiques. When planning your hotel stay, these different highlights can help you choose which experiences to include in your trip.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Spicewood, Marble Falls, Burnet, Bertram, Grimes County, Gillespie County, Bee County, Delta County.

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