SCENIC DRIVES—R.M. 12 northwest to R.M. 32, the winding ridge called the “Devil’s Backbone” offers exceptional views of the Hill Country. It also is a great place for wildflower viewing March-April.
WINERY—Three Dudes Winery. See WINERIES listing.
WITTLIFF COLLECTIONS—The center has exhibitions related to Southwestern writers and photography of the Southwest and Mexico. Also on permanent display are costumes, props and memorabilia from the movie Lonesome Dove. Free. Albert B. Alkek Library, Seventh floor, at Texas State University-San Marcos. 512/245-2313.
www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu.
WONDER WORLD—This earthquake-formed cave is unique in that it is not harmed by touch or light, so visitors are free to take photos and touch the cave. Get an aerial view of the Balcones fault line from the Tejas Observation Tower. There also is a wildlife petting area, train ride, anti-gravity house and gift shop. Admission charge. Exit 202 off I-35 to Wonder World Drive. 512/392-3760.
www.wonderworldpark.com.
SAN SABA POP. 3,075
ALT. 1,210 MAP N-15 SAN SABA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 325/372-5141.
San Saba was named for the scenic river on which it is located. The city is known for its pecan crops. The San Saba and Colorado rivers are popular with campers and anglers. During the season, hunters take white- tailed deer, wild turkey, and native game birds.
COLORADO BEND STATE PARK—The park offers 30 miles of multiuse trails, spring-fed creeks and swimming holes, limestone bluffs and canyons. Hike to Gorman Falls, a 65-foot travertine waterfall, or take the guided tour on Saturday afternoons. From January-April, fishing on the river includes the legendary spawning run of the white bass. Admission charge. Take U.S. 190 east four miles to F.M. 580. Follow signs 13 miles to Bend and park entrance. 325/628-3240.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ colorado-bend.
SAN SABA COUNTY MUSEUM—Housed in two 100-year-old log cabins, this museum depicts the county’s rich history from settlement to pecan fame. 325/372-5238.
www.sansabamuseum.org.
SAN SABA RIVER NATURE PARK—This 40-acre LCRA park offers 2 miles of hike-and-bike trails (including accessible walks), fishing, bird and wildlife viewing stations, and primitive camping. Bridges in the park are made from recycled military railcars. 1107 E. Wallace (US 190).
www.lcra.org.
SONORA POP. 2,999
ALT. 2,120 MAP O-12
SONORA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 325/387-2880 or 888/387-2880.
www.sonoratexas.org.
Known historically as the Stockman’s Paradise, settlement began in the late 1800s when sheep and goat ranchers sought the rich “boot-high” grasslands that once defined the area. Ranching continues to be a way of life. Today, the town reflects both the Texas Hill Country and Chihuahuan Desert in topography and wildlife. Hunting is a major industry and wild turkey, white-tailed deer and axis deer are common. Impressive turn-of-the-century architecture can be enjoyed while shopping or dining. Events include the Dry Devil’s River Music Flood on the first weekend in October.
CAVERNS OF SONORA—This cave ranks as one of the most beautiful show caves in the world. Formations grow on the ceilings, walls and floors. Almost two miles of underground passage. RV and tent camping
Explore the western Hill Country terrain at Eaton HIll Nature Center and Preserve in Sonora.
available. Fifteen miles west of Sonora off of I-10 at Exit 392; take Caverns of Sonora Road south (R.M. 1989). 325/387-3105.
www.cavernsofsonora.com.
EATON HILL NATURE CENTER & PRESERVE—This 37- acre preserve has hiking trails highlighting both Texas Hill Country terrain and West Texas desert habitats. The preserve is great for picnics, nature photography, geo-caching, and wildlife viewing. The Nature Center displays prehistory, geology and wildlife exhibits. Tours by appointment. Free. 500 City Hill Road off of East Mulberry. 325/387-2615.
www.eatonhillnaturecenter.com.
OLD SONORA ICE HOUSE RANCH MUSEUM—The museum has artifacts from the area’s ranching history from the late 19th and early 20th centuries and an exhibit about Will Carver, a member of the “Wild Bunch” gang who met his fate in Sonora. 206 S. Water Ave. 325/387-3754.
www.sonoratexas.org.
VETERANS OF ALL WARS & PIONEER RANCH WOMEN MUSEUM—This museum showcases veterans’ stories, photos, military equipment and uniforms. It also tells the stories of pioneer ranch women of the area to show how they lived and worked in Sutton and surrounding counties. 105 Concho St. corner of Main Street in historical downtown.
www.sonoratexas.org.
WALKING TOUR—The self-guided tour offers points of interest and begins in front of the Sutton County Courthouse, which was awarded “Texas Best Restoration 2002” by the Texas Downtown Asso- ciation. The tour includes museums, historical sites, pioneer family markers and Bank Vault Park. 325/387-2248.
STONEWALL POP. 526
ALT. 1,512 MAP P-15
STONEWALL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 250 Peach St. 830/644-2735.
www.stonewalltexas.com.
This village west of Austin was named for Confederate Gen. Stonewall Jackson. The town is famous for
delicious Gillespie County peaches and the LBJ Ranch. It is located along the Highway 290 Wine Trail. The Peach JAMboree and Rodeo is held in June.
DISTILLERY—Garrison Brothers Distillery in Hye. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK—LBJ Ranch, the ancestral home of the 36th President, became a place where national decisions were made. Access to the LBJ Ranch is by self-guided vehicle tour. Guests receive a map, and CD with narration about each site is available for purchase. The one-way route includes the Junction School, LBJ’s birthplace, the Johnson family cemetery and the Texas White House complex. To enter the LBJ Ranch, obtain a free permit at
the LBJ State Park Visitor Center. Tickets for a ranger-guided visit to the restored Texas White House can be purchased at the LBJ Ranch Hangar. For information: PO Box 329, Johnson City 78636. Free. LBJ Ranch in Stonewall. 830/868-7128 x231 or 830/868-7128 x244.
www.nps.gov/lyjo.
LYNDON B. JOHNSON STATE PARK AND HISTORIC SITE—This park honors the 36th president of the United States. Visitors enjoy historical study, picnicking, nature study, fishing and swimming. The wildlife of the Hill Country is highlighted by enclosures containing buffalo, Texas longhorn cattle and white-tailed deer. The park also is known for its spring wildflower display. During the summer, swim in the Olympic-size pool or play tennis or baseball. U.S. 290 at State Park Road 52 just east of Stonewall. 830/644-2252.
www.tpwd.
texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-b-johnson. The Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm is
a working farm that re-creates Hill Country life at the turn of the 20th century. Daily demonstrations (by staff using historical methods and tools) include milking cows, gathering eggs, cooking on a wood- burning stove and tending livestock.
WINERIES—Becker Vineyards, Pedernales Cellars and Woodrose Winery. See WINERIES listing.
TAYLOR POP. 16,178
ALT. 583
TAYLOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 512/365-8485.
www.taylorchamber.org.
Taylor is a recognized Main Street Community and National Main Street City, and a primary stop on the Texas BBQ Trail. Along with dining and historic downtown district shopping, Taylor offers multiple festivals throughout the year,
including Main Street’s Zest Fest in May, the Rodeo Association’s Tractor Pull in June, the Taylor Rodeo in July, the International BBQ Cook-Off in August, the Taylor Fly-In & Air Race in November and the Parade of Lights in December.
MOODY MUSEUM—Housed in the restored birth place of Texas’ youngest governor, Dan Moody, this Victorian home (built in 1887) contains many original furnishings. 114 W. Ninth St.
www.moodymuseum.com.
UTOPIA POP. 234
ALT. 1,200 MAP R-13
This community in northeast Uvalde County is on the Sabinal River among rugged canyons shaded by bald cypress, live oak and pecan trees. Just 12 miles south of the Lost Maples State Natural Area, it offers many activities including swimming, tubing, horseback riding, hunting, hiking, cycling and birding.
SABINAL CANYON MUSEUM—This museum exhibits pioneer farm implements, household items, Native American artifacts, fossils and minerals from the Sabinal River Canyon and a World War II exhibit. 830/966-3747.
For more infor ma tion about the Hill Country, visit
TravelTexas.com. 180
SCENIC DRIVE—Rolling hills and secluded valleys make this area popular. Explore the Sabinal River Canyon along R.M. 187, R.M. 1050 and Texas 337.
MAP O-17
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268
