TEXAS HILL COUNTRY · FROM SAN ANTONIO
The Texas Hill Country. SA's backyard.
Rolling limestone hills, spring-fed rivers, wine country, wildflowers, caverns, and small towns that haven't changed in a hundred years — all within two hours of San Antonio.
THE REGION
What the Hill Country is.
The Texas Hill Country is a 25,000-square-mile region of limestone hills, cedar and live oak forests, and spring-fed rivers west and north of San Antonio. It's one of the most distinctive landscapes in America — and most visitors from the East Coast or West Coast have no frame of reference for how beautiful it is.
KEY FACTS
HWY 290 WINE TRAIL
Hill Country wine country.
Highway 290 between Fredericksburg and Austin is the wine trail — Becker Vineyards, William Chris, Grape Creek, Pedernales Cellars, and 50+ more. Two or three wineries is the right number for a day trip. See the full Fredericksburg guide for specific picks.
Full Fredericksburg Guide →SWIMMING HOLES
Spring-fed swimming holes.
Blue Hole Wimberley
Spring-fed swimming hole in a cypress grove. Reservation required — book ahead.
Jacob's Well
Natural wonder — artesian spring, clear water, cliff jumps. Reservation required.
Guadalupe River tubing
Outfitters at Gruene and New Braunfels. Best summer activity in Hill Country.
Canyon Lake
Hill Country's best lake — camping, kayaking, fishing.
Comal River
Shortest river in Texas. New Braunfels. Spring-fed and cold year-round.
TOWNS WORTH STOPPING IN
Hill Country small towns.
Fredericksburg
1 hr 20 minMain Street wine town, German heritage, best day trip from SA.
Boerne
35 minLimestone Main Street, antiques, Cibolo Nature Center.
Gruene
55 minOldest dance hall in Texas, Guadalupe River tubing.
Wimberley
1 hrBlue Hole, Jacob's Well, art galleries, Hill Country charm.
Bandera
50 minCowboy Capital of the World. Dude ranches, honky-tonks.
Kerrville
1 hrGuadalupe River, folk music scene, good base for Hill Country.
Comfort
50 minTiny antique town, limestone buildings, genuine Hill Country feel.
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Hill Country day trips from SA.
WHEN TO GO
Best time for Hill Country.
Spring
Bluebonnets, perfect temps, harvest buildup. Best time to visit for first-timers.
Summer
Hot but the rivers save it. Swimming holes are in full swing.
Fall
Harvest season, wineries peak, ideal temps. Best time for wine country.
Winter
Quiet, cheaper, mild. Best hotel rates and no crowds.
Ready to plan a Hill Country trip?
Fredericksburg, wineries, swimming holes — all doable in a day.