People often call the area around Fredericksburg “Texas Hill Country.” Its beautiful, diverse landscape has rolling limestone hills, clear rivers and streams, and many types of wildlife. Here are some of the best places to take a scenic drive and explore the beauty of Fredericksburg.
Lost Maples
Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2,174.2 acres along the Sabinal River. It’s in Vanderpool, about an hour and 20 minutes away from Fredericksburg. The maples in the park display beautiful colors in fall, and the countryside looks peaceful and attractive. You can take amazing photos, have a picnic, go camping at the natural area, watch local bird species, go fishing, swim, and more. You can use one of the 30 campsites, which are equipped with water and electricity.
This place has several species of oak, bigtooth maple, mesquite, sycamore, Texas mountain laurel, Texas persimmon, wild grape, redbud, Texas madrone, and prickly pear. It also has many types of grass, brush, and ferns. It looks awesome all year, but you should be prepared for lots of fellow visitors in fall.
Willow City Loop
The Willow City Loop is about 15 miles long, and it looks amazing in March and April when wild bluebonnets, Texas’s state flowers, bloom. You can also see Indian paintbrush, coreopsis, phlox, sunflowers, Mexican poppies, fire wheels, winecups, yellow and white daisies, horsemint, verbena, and more.
It’s about 13 miles from Fredericksburg, off SR 16. Cows often graze by the side of the road, and you should watch for crossing cattle. The views are extraordinary all year, and you can see rolling hills and deep, rugged canyons. You can also view jagged cliffs and meandering streams. Visit Harry’s on the Loop for some snacks.
The Swiss Alps of Texas
This drive is around 100 miles, and it goes over hills that are up to 2,400 feet above sea level. It crosses the Medina and Sabinal rivers, and you can see deep canyons formed by the Nueces and Frio rivers, large rock faces, and lots of greenery all year. Most of this scenic drive is in Leakey, about an hour and a half away. Bandera, the cowboy capital of Texas, is nearby, and you can tour a dude ranch or go swimming or tubing in one of the rivers in the area.
Enchanted Rock
This enormous pink granite rock rises 425 feet above the ground, and it covers 640 acres. The Tonkawa Indians believed that it had spiritual powers, and there’s a cave inside the rock. Artifacts up to 11,000 years old have been found there, and it’s only about 20 minutes from Fredericksburg. Camping is allowed, and many people stargaze or go rock climbing. There’s a nature trail, exhibits about the history and ecology of the area, a picnic area, and a park store.
On a scenic drive, you can relax and explore the area around Fredericksburg. You can also learn more about the land nearby and the local culture. Take a drive-by yourself or enjoy a day trip with friends or family members while you check out nearby attractions.
Image via Pixabay.com by i_take_phone_pictures
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