Willow City Loop
13 minear Fredericksburg
The classic spring bluebonnet drive through ranch country. Private land along a public road — stay on the pavement.
Best Spring
Maps & drives
It's all about the back roads
The Hill Country reveals itself slowly, between towns. These are the drives worth taking the long way for.
The lay of the land
A region stitched together by two-lane roads
West of Austin and north of San Antonio, the Hill Country fans out across the Edwards Plateau in a web of ranch roads, river crossings, and farm-to-market highways. There's no wrong way through it — but a few drives are special.
An interactive trip map is on the way. For now, string these drives together with our ready-made itineraries.
Scenic drives
Six worth the long way
The Devil’s Backbone
~25 miRM 32, Wimberley–Blanco
A ridgeline drive along a limestone spine with long views over the canyons. Pull-offs and a famous roadside tavern.
Best Year-round
River Road
~10 miGuadalupe River, New Braunfels
A winding river-hugging road past tube outfitters, cypress, and low-water crossings. A summer institution.
Best Summer
Highway 16: Kerrville to Llano
~60 micentral Hill Country
Granite-country two-lane through Fredericksburg and on into the oldest exposed rock in Texas.
Best Spring / Fall
The US-290 Wine Road
~30 miFredericksburg–Johnson City
Tasting rooms strung along the highway and its side roads — the spine of Texas wine country.
Best Year-round
Ranch Road 965
~18 miFredericksburg–Enchanted Rock
Straight out to the great pink dome, past wildflowers and ranchland. Short, scenic, and worth it.
Best Spring
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Seasonal trip ideas, wildflower reports, festival picks, and the swimming holes worth the drive — about twice a month. No spam, just back roads.
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