A Marvelous Bluebonnet Festival in Texas!
Bluebonnet festivals in Texas are as common as the state flower themselves, with multiple cities
Region: Burnet
Burnet
History:
Burnet is located just east of Lake Buchanan and the city of Buchanan Dam and north of Marble Falls. Spring is the perfect time to explore Burnet, named “Bluebonnet Capital of Texas” by the 67th Texas Legislature.
Fort Croghan Museum – Is a restored powder house consisting of stone and log buildings. The historical museum features rotating exhibits, restored carriages, old guns, furniture, and relics depicting local frontier days. It is open April through August, 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 – This Museum is the 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 fee. It is open Sat., 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Sun., 1 – 5 p.m. Call 512-756-2226 or visit http://www.highlandlakessquadron.com/ for information.
Tradition:
Held the second week of 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.
Recreation and Relaxation:
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!
Nature:
Longhorn Cavern State Park – Located about 11 miles southwest of town via U.S. 281, on Park Road 4, this park is two miles of underground fantasy. These fantastical underground caverns were the site of a secret gunpowder manufacturer for Confederate armies and later became an outlaw hideout. Cave tours are supplemented by beautiful nature trails. If all that hiking makes you hungry, you’re in luck! There is a snack bar near the entrance of the Park. The museum in the park displays Indian artifacts as well as frontier and Civil War items. Call 512-756-6976 or visit https://visitlonghorncavern.com/ for tour information.
Black Rock Park – Located on Lake buchanan 18 miles west of Burnet on Texas 261 north from Texas 29, with access via Texas 29 west and R.M. 2341 north, Black Rock Park is a public facility on the western shore of Lake Buchanan. Camping, swimming, fishing, and boating are offered. To make reservations, please visit https://www.lcra.org/parks/Pages/black-rock-park.aspx .
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, the Eagle Eye Observatory 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 or visit http://canyonoftheeagles.com/eagle-eye-observatory/ for information.
Inks Lake State Park – Located about 12 miles west of Burnet, this beautiful park 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. Visit https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake for more information.
Scenic Drives:
The Hill Country is made up of many small towns connected by beautiful scenic drives. There are gorgeous Hill Country landscapes in almost any direction. Scenic drives are a favorite pastime for many locals, especially during sunset. So crank those windows down, turn up the radio, and fly over those hills!
Texas 29 west to R.M. 2341 northwest:
This drive is a beautiful route to Spider Mountain which, according to legend, was an Indian burial ground. It overlooks Lake Buchanan and the rolling hills surrounding it. Below Spider Mountain is Bee Bluff, a popular fishing spot.
R.M. 2342:
This hill country drive offers excellent landscape views, especially at the turnout near the confluence of the Llano and Colorado Rivers.
Latest Events
Fun Stuff
There are 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. You can make yourself at home and still experience a multitude of adventures that are fun for the whole family.
Here are just a few of the possibilities:
Burnet > Canyon Lake
81 miles | 1 hr 28 min
Burnet > Canyon Lake
81 miles | 1 hr 28 min
Directions
Burnet > Gruene
87 miles | 1 hr 34 min
Burnet > Gruene
87 miles | 1 hr 34 min
Directions
Burnet > Wimberley
73 miles | 1 hr 18 min
Burnet > Wimberley
73 miles | 1 hr 18 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake Buchanan Area
13 miles | 16 min
Burnet > Lake Buchanan Area
13 miles | 16 min
Directions
Burnet > Canyon Lake
81 miles | 1 hr 28 min
Burnet > Canyon Lake
81 miles | 1 hr 28 min
Directions
Burnet > Gruene
87 miles | 1 hr 34 min
Burnet > Gruene
87 miles | 1 hr 34 min
Directions
Burnet > Wimberley
73 miles | 1 hr 18 min
Burnet > Wimberley
73 miles | 1 hr 18 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake Buchanan Area
13 miles | 16 min
Burnet > Lake Buchanan Area
13 miles | 16 min
Directions
Burnet > Buchanan Dam
12.4 miles | 15 min
Burnet > Buchanan Dam
12.4 miles | 15 min
Directions
Burnet > Inks Lake Area
13 miles | 15 min
Burnet > Inks Lake Area
13 miles | 15 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake LBJ Area
19 miles | 23 min
Burnet > Lake LBJ Area
19 miles | 23 min
Directions
Burnet > Marble Falls
13 miles | 14 min
Burnet > Marble Falls
13 miles | 14 min
Directions
Burnet > Buchanan Dam
12.4 miles | 15 min
Burnet > Buchanan Dam
12.4 miles | 15 min
Directions
Burnet > Inks Lake Area
13 miles | 15 min
Burnet > Inks Lake Area
13 miles | 15 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake LBJ Area
19 miles | 23 min
Burnet > Lake LBJ Area
19 miles | 23 min
Directions
Burnet > Marble Falls
13 miles | 14 min
Burnet > Marble Falls
13 miles | 14 min
Directions
Burnet > Kingsland
17 miles | 22 min
Burnet > Kingsland
17 miles | 22 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake Travis Area
42.8 miles | 52 min
Burnet > Lake Travis Area
42.8 miles | 52 min
Directions
Burnet > Lakeway
45 miles | 52 min
Burnet > Lakeway
45 miles | 52 min
Directions
Burnet > Spicewood
27 miles | 30 min
Burnet > Spicewood
27 miles | 30 min
Directions
Burnet > Kingsland
17 miles | 22 min
Burnet > Kingsland
17 miles | 22 min
Directions
Burnet > Lake Travis Area
42.8 miles | 52 min
Burnet > Lake Travis Area
42.8 miles | 52 min
Directions
Burnet > Lakeway
45 miles | 52 min
Burnet > Lakeway
45 miles | 52 min
Directions
Burnet > Spicewood
27 miles | 30 min
Burnet > Spicewood
27 miles | 30 min
Directions
Burnet > Llano
30 miles | 32 min
Burnet > Llano
30 miles | 32 min
Directions
Burnet > Fredericksburg
66 miles | 1 hr 8 min
Burnet > Fredericksburg
66 miles | 1 hr 8 min
Directions
Burnet > Tanger Outlets San Marcos
29 miles | 41 min
Burnet > Tanger Outlets San Marcos
29 miles | 41 min
Directions
Burnet > Texas State Capitol, Austin
65 miles | 1 hr 15 min
Burnet > Texas State Capitol, Austin
65 miles | 1 hr 15 min
Directions
Burnet > Llano
30 miles | 32 min
Burnet > Llano
30 miles | 32 min
Directions
Burnet > Fredericksburg
66 miles | 1 hr 8 min
Burnet > Fredericksburg
66 miles | 1 hr 8 min
Directions
Burnet > Tanger Outlets San Marcos
29 miles | 41 min
Burnet > Tanger Outlets San Marcos
29 miles | 41 min
Directions
Burnet > Texas State Capitol, Austin
65 miles | 1 hr 15 min
Burnet > Texas State Capitol, Austin
65 miles | 1 hr 15 min
Directions
