Texas Hill Country

Hill Country Driving Tour Marble Falls

Spicewood

Bee Cave

9

5 Dripping Springs

8 Driftwood

Wimberley

76

The Texas Hill Country

MARBLE FALLS 40 MILES WEST OF AUSTIN Population: 6,465

M

arble Falls sits on the banks of Lake Marble Falls. The falls were formed by a shelf of limestone running diagonally across the river from nor theast to

southwest. The upper layer of limestone, brownish on the exterior, but deep blue inside, was so hard and cherr y it was mistaken for marble. The falls were actually three distinct formations at the head of a canyon 1.25 miles long, with a drop of some 50 feet

through the limestone strata. The natural lake was covered when the Colorado River was dammed with the completion of Max Starcke Dam in 1951. Lake Marble Falls sits between Lake LBJ to the nor th and Lake Travis to the south. The falls for which the City is named are now under water, but are revealed ever y few years when the lake is lowered by the Lower Colorado River Authority for repairs. We’re a Texas town in the hear t of the Hill Countr y. Visit our walkable downtown district full of restaurants, independent shops, and curated ar t galleries. Or use Marble Falls as an ideal home base for any hill countr y adventure. Whether you’re planning your per fect hill countr y getaway or just popping in for a weekend on a whim, Marble Falls is wor th ever y trip.

SPICEWOOD 30 MILES WEST OF AUSTIN Population: 7,942

S

picewood is a charming unincorporated town in Burnet County. It is home to Music Legend Willie Nelson. Even though it is not a big city, Spicewood has tremendous

activities and impressive sites to see. A lot of individuals traveling to Spicewood come for the Lake Buchanan activities. Spicewood is home to Cypress Valley Canopy Tours, Pace Bend Park, Krause Springs, and Lakecliff Countr y Club. Krause Springs

is a hidden Hill Countr y gem. It is a swimming hole filled with water falls, natural caves, and a rope swing.

Entrance fees for a day are $7.00 for an adult (ages 12 and up), $5.00 for children (ages 4 through 11), and Free for Children (4 years old and younger). There are 24 RV sites offered here with electricity and water. The Cypress Canopy tours are an exciting zip line experience through cypress trees. This is a great oppor tunity to see the nature of Texas Hill Countr y. One unique thing about the Cypress Canopy Tours is that they offer night rides, where the trees are lined with paper lanterns and twinkle lights. After a day full of adventure, head to Opie’s Barbecue for some good ole’ spicy barbecue, banana pudding, sweet ribs, brisket, and so much more. Poodie’s Hilltop Roadhouse is home to the best burger in texas. Enjoy your juicy burger while listening to live music.

BEE CAVE 15 MILES WEST OF AUSTIN Population: 5,287

T

he City of Bee Cave is rich in histor y. The City, as we know it today, did not exist until 1987, but the idea of an area where people could live without the influence of

“big city ” government has been the area’s “calling card” for over 140 years. As early as the 1850s, Dietrich Bohls moved from Austin to his new home at the confluence of Bar ton Creek and Little Bar ton Creek. The population of Austin had reached 900 people, and Mr. Bohls was looking for a place to raise his family away from the confines of the city and its influence. At the time, the land west of Austin still had Indians roaming over it; therefore, other settlers in the area were scarce. The Bohls family was one of the first families to settle on the land that would become the City of Bee Cave. The area derived its name from the colonies of Mexican honeybees that lived in the banks of Bar ton Creek and Little Bar ton Creek that encompassed a large area of Western Travis County. In 1987, the City of Bee Cave administration had its humble, but proud, beginning in a nondescript por table building.

The City of Bee Cave encompassed a two-square mile area with 8,800 acres of extraterritorial jurisdiction. The Village of Bee Cave formed originally as a Type -A General Law city with an Alderman-Mayor form of government.

In 2006, action was taken to officially change from Village of Bee Cave to the City of Bee Cave. The area derived its name from the colonies of Mexican honeybees that lived in the banks of Bar ton Creek.

DRIPPING SPRINGS 25 MILES WEST OF AUSTIN Population: 1,788

T

he Gateway to the Hill Countr y is often the term referring to Dripping Springs, Texas. The area offers outstanding views of rolling hills and deep creeks. The original

“dripping springs” are located close to the west side of Mercer Street, noticeable by a granite marker.

Mountain bikers, fishermen, and rock climbers will absolutely love Milton Reimers Ranch Park, with 3

miles of continuous land along-side the Pedernales river. A great recreational area in Dripping springs is the Founders Park, which has several areas to swim, play on a playground, picnic, and run around a spor ts field. There are several points of interest in and near dripping springs such as Hamilton Pool. Located only 10 miles away is a natural water pool where people can swim. There are picnic facilities in this area and places to hike. Another fun attraction,

just 15 miles nor thwest of the Hamilton Pool, is the Westcave Preser ves. The Westcave Preser ve is a limestone walled canyon containing several unusual and endangered plants, which can be seen on guided tours.

DRIFTWOOD 20 MILES SOUTHWEST OF AUSTIN Population: 176

W

ith gentle, rolling hills featuring towering

oak

trees,

native

wildflowers, prickly pear cacti, and massive 50-foot cliffs above a flowing

creek, Driftwood is Texas as you’ve always imagined it. The vineyards surroudning Driftwood promise years of productive har vests. Driftwood is also a place in the Hill Countr y of Texas where long-standing land owners, those interested in preser vation and new neighbors, are working collaboratively to care for the treasured character of this special place. As you travel from Austin down FM 1826 into Driftwood, the tempo slows, the Onion Creek Valley unfolds, and you behold the vast beauty of rolling green hills and glorious views.

WIMBERLEY 30 MILES SOUTHWEST OF AUSTIN Population: 2,626

W

imberley, Texas is located where the Cypress Creek and the Blanco River meet and is an hour outside of Austin.

A lot of people refer to this city as

a little bit of heaven. The main attractions around Wimberley are the Blue Hole Regional Park, Old Baldy Mountain, Wimberley Glassworks, Wimberley Valley Winer y and the shady Wimberley Square (shopping and dining). The drive from Wimberley to Blanco

on the Devil’s Backbone, FM 32, provides sweeping vistas of the hills. For years, Wimberley has been a haven for writers, ar tists, & musicians. Their talent can be seen at local ar t galleries, shops and per forming ar ts venues. Live music can be heard on the weekends at Cypress Creek Café, Ino’z and Linda’s Fine Foods.

Live theatre can be enjoyed at the Wimberley Playhouse, the EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens, home of the Annual Butter fly Festival in April and the Trail of Lights in December, a ver y big attraction. The Blue Hole was rated as one of the best swimming holes in Texas. Old Baldy Mountain has the best panoramic views in Wimberley. Enjoy a movie under the stars ever y Friday and Saturday night at the Corral Theater (Memorial DayLabor Day).