Attractions in the Burnet area include the Highland Lakes, Longhorn Cavern, Inks Lake State Park, the Historic Burnet Square, the Highland Lakes Air Museum and many more.
Spring is the perfect time to explore Burnet, named “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” by the 67th Texas Legislature. And if you bring your family on the second weekend in April, you’ll find yourself in the middle of the biggest event on the full calendar of fun.
Held every April, the Annual Bluebonnet Festival offers contests, games, activities for all ages, parades, exhibits, arts and crafts. There’s even a spectacular air show featuring the World War II planes of the Highland Lakes Squadron of the Commemorative Air Force.
Watch the Burnet Gunfighters to see how the West was “really” won, or take a ride on the Hill Country Flyer, brought to the area by the Austin Steam Train Association.
While visiting, enjoy “Art in the Park” by Hamilton Creek, or visit historical Fort Croghan.
Take a leisurely drive through the flower-strewn hills to Inks Lake State Park, Canyon of the Eagles (with its famed Vanishing Texas River Cruise), or explore Longhorn Caverns.
Discover the Lakes, Hills and History in its springtime finest!
Burnet is located just east of Lake Buchanan and the city of Buchanan Dam and north of Marble Falls.
Longhorn Cavern State Park – Two miles of underground fantasy, it is the home of prehistoric cavemen, and the site of a secret gunpowder manufacturer for Confederate armies. Later it was an outlaw hideout. Cave tours are supplemented by nature trails. It features a snack bar. The museum displays Indian artifacts, as well as frontier and Civil War items. It is about 11 miles southwest of town via U.S. 281, on Park Road 4. Call 512-756-6976 for tour information.
Black Rock Park – About 18 miles west on Lake Buchanan, it is a public facility on the western shore of Lake Buchanan with camping, swimming, fishing, and boating. It is on Texas 261 north from Texas 29, with access via Texas 29 west and R.M. 2341 north.
Burnet County Park – Excellent fishing camp on east side of Lake Buchanan.
Eagle Eye Observatory – Designed and built in cooperation with the Austin Astronomical Society, it is one of the few public access observatories in the country. Facilities include several large 22-inch telescopes, as well as pedestals and decks for the public’s use in setting up their own scopes. It offers star parties and programs. Call 800-977-0081 for information.
Fort Croghan Museum – Is a restored powder house, consisting of stone and log buildings. It features exhibits, restored carriages, old guns, furniture, and relics depicting local frontier days. It is open Apr. through Aug., Thurs. – Sat., 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. It is on Texas 29 west. For information, call 512/756-8281.
Highland Lakes CAF Air Museum – Headquarters for Confederate Air Force Hill Country Squadron. It features WWII fighter planes, firearms, photographs, and memorabilia. It is located at the Municipal Airport, south on U.S. 281. There is an admission. It is open Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 1 – 5 p.m. Call 512-756-2226 in for information.
Inks Lake State Park – About 12 miles west of Burnet. It covers 2,000 acres on Inks Lake southeast of Buchanan Dam. Camping, shelters, trailers, rest rooms, picnicking, groceries, fishing, swimming, boats, golf, nature study, and hiking are available.
Scenic Drives – Among best is Texas 29 west and R.M. 2341 northwest. It is a beautiful route to Spider Mountain, which according to legend, was an Indian burial ground. Below the landmark is Bee Bluff, a noted fishing spot.
R.M. 2342 offers excellent landscape views, especially at the turnout near the confluence of the Llano and Colorado Rivers.
Hill Country Day Trippin’
There’s plenty of opportunities for day trips from the Burnet area.
Enjoy a relaxing drive through the spectacular Texas Hill Country on wide-open roads lined with breath-taking flowers and trees. Relish views only available in the Hill Country. You’ll feel like you’re light years away from a crowded freeway…because you are.
And, you won’t have to pick up and move. No packing and unpacking. While based in Burnet, you can stay as long as you want and experience an abundance of places to go and things to see and do.
Here are a couple of the possibilities:
| City/Attraction | Miles | Approximate Drive Time | Click Below for Directions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lake | 81 miles | 1 hr 28 min | Directions |
| Gruene | 87 miles | 1 hr 34 min | Directions |
| Wimberley | 73 miles | 1 hr 18 min | Directions |
| Lake Buchanan Area | 13 miles | 16 min | Directions |
| Buchanan Dam | 12.4 miles | 15 min | Directions |
| Inks Lake Area | 13 miles | 15 min | Directions |
| Lake LBJ Area | 19 miles | 23 min | Directions |
| Marble Falls | 13 miles | 14 min | Directions |
| Kingsland | 17 miles | 22 min | Directions |
| Lake Travis Area | 42.8 miles | 52 min | Directions |
| Lakeway | 45 miles | 52 min | Directions |
| Spicewood | 27 miles | 30 min | Directions |
| Llano | 30 miles | 32 min | Directions |
| Fredericksburg | 66 miles | 1 hr 8 min | Directions |
| Tanger Outlets San Marcos | 29 miles | 41 min | Directions |
| Texas State Capitol, Austin | 65 miles | 1 hr 15 min | Directions |
| Source: Google Maps |
